Griffin, Lower Broughton Road

Griffin, Lower Broughton Road, Lower Broughton. (c) deltrems at flickr.

The Griffin was a huge pub on the corner of Great Cheetham Street West and Lower Broughton Road, sadly demolished in 2008 (and, as ever, replaced with... nothing).  There are a number of photos at flickr from Eddie Manchester recording the demolition of this grand old pub. It doesn't look too bad here... or here.  But... going... going... gone. The original Griffin dates back to the early 1700s, first listed in 1732 under Thomas Pendleton, who is recorded as an alehouse keeper in 1716, so the Griffin may date back earlier than that [1].  

The original Griffin, Lower Broughton Road, 19th century. (c) Neil Richardson [1].

As shown above, the original Griffin was set back from the main road, had a bowling green to the rear, and had facilities for stabling horses. Threlfalls owned the Griffin by the end of the 19th century and applied to build a new pub by expanding onto the green and creating "a colossal drinking palace" (reputed to be the biggest in Manchester for a time); plans which were approved.  This was despite objectors who complained that the new hotel would be a "gigantic drinkshop" and attract "riff-raff, scum and rabble [1]."

Griffin, Lower Broughton Road, Lower Broughton. (c) Mark Naylor at vimeo.

It is quite ironic that the pub was eventually closed down with no small thanks to the gangs who ran protection rackets all over this part of Salford.  By the time Whitbread had the Griffin, the green was costing too much to maintain so they turned it into a car park.  This came in handy when the pub closed and became the Oriental Star [1] then Saigon Chinese restaurants before its unfortunate demolition a few years ago.

Griffin, Lower Broughton Road, Lower Broughton. (c) Jez Page at flickr.

1. Salford Pubs - Part Two: Including Islington, Ordsall Lane and Ordsall, Oldfield Road, Regent Road and Broughton, Neil Richardson (2003).