Old Priory, Laurel Grove

Old Priory, Laurel Grove, Higher Broughton, 1994. (c) By Stanley Horrocks, with kind permission and (c) Rose Horrocks.

The Old Priory was demolished in 1998 and now, in between the top end of Great Clowes Street and Lower Broughton Road, the site is an old folks home. This will have been sad news for the stalwarts of the old Man United drinking club as their old training ground, The Cliff, was yards away and they were known to frequent the pub.

Old Priory, Laurel Grove, Higher Broughton. (c) deltrems at flickr [1].

The pub had an interesting history, as here in the 1800s a Gothic residence, Broughton Priory was built, complete with gardens, orchards, pond and fountain.

Old Priory, Laurel Grove (c) Salford Pubs of the 70s at flickr. [3].

James Harrop, newspaper owner, lived here until 1823 but by 1840 the house was empty and the gardens overgrown [2]. Broughton Priory's outbuildings were eventually demolished and the main house was linked to Great Clowes Street along a new lane, Laurel Grove. At the end of the lane, a new building was built and by 1860 it had been licensed as the Old Priory.

Old Priory, Laurel Grove, 1989. (c) By Stanley Horrocks, with kind permission and (c) Rose Horrocks.

Wilsons Brewery bought the Old Priory and its gardens in 1920 and although they'd planned to make improvements, a 1941 air raid damaged the pub before they had chance to. The pub passed to Watney's who sadly decided to strip out all the small rooms and cosy nooks and crannies, making a more modern two-roomed pub.  

Old Priory, Laurel Grove. (c) Neil Richardson [2].

In 1984, the Grand Metropolitan Pub Company reverted back to 'Ye Olde Worlde' style decor although they got rid of the bowling green for a car park and added a dining room to the pub. The Old Priory lasted for fourteen more years before being knocked down in 1998 [1].

1. www.flickr.com/photos/deltrems/2802733812.

2. Salford Pubs - Part Two: Including Islington, Ordsall Lane and Ordsall, Oldfield Road, Regent Road and Broughton, Neil Richardson (2003).
3. www.flickr.com/photos/61756486@N05/6319233642.