Manchester
Gary Neville pub demolition: Historic venue to be rebuilt 'brick by brick' elsewhere
The Ralph Abercromby pub is a target for demolition in Gary Neville’s £200m redevelopment plan in Manchester despite campaigners' claimed the pub is of historic value.
The local Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branch has slammed the proposal, and stated intentions to rebuild it brick by brick in another location if the bulldozers came in.
Redevelopment
Neville’s plans include two skyscrapers and a hotel, which would cover the site of the pub.
The 19th century Ralph Abercromby is said to be the only site remaining from the 1819 Peterloo Massacre, and featured on BBC show Life on Mars.
The local branch of the Campaign for Real Ale fought for the protection of the pub, claiming it was important to the community.
Failed applications
CAMRA unsuccessfully applied for the pub to become both an Asset of Community Value (ACV), and to Historic England for listed status.
Council bossed claimed the pub was not of historic value, while there are many other pubs in the area, and a report claimed the building had been altered so much it did not warrant protecting.
CAMRA’s petition to save the pub has 3,500 signatures.
Rebuilding
Chair of CAMRA’s Manchester Central branch, Graham Donning, told the Manchester Evening News: “To be frank, we’re not happy. How it can be said it’s not an historic, significant community pub is beyond me.
“Rebuilding it may be the only option. Some council help - or from the developers - to do that would go a long way to apologising to Manchester for destroying the pub.
“It’s very disappointing, but it’s what we expected considering the amount of money going into the development.”
