'Haunted' Cheshire pub from the 1600s forced to close as building is at risk of collapse

A 17th century Cheshire pub rumoured to be haunted has been forced to close its doors as the old building is at risk of collapse. Cheshire's The Black Horse on Liverpool Road, is likely to be closed for up to three months while extensive restructuring work is carried out.

The property has shown signs of recent movement and is 'at risk' of collapse. The pub dates, which dates back to the early 1630s, is a Grade II listed building and there have been reports of several ghostly goings-on inside, Cheshire Live reported.

Plans to revamp the pub, in Warrington, were first given the green light earlier this year, but urgent work now needs to be brought forward in order to stabilise the building. Landlady Rebecca Green only took over the pub in May.

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The front room of the Black Horse, where pool and darts were played, is covered in tarpaulin having been shut off for three years. The rest of the pub remained open.

Rebecca said: "The pool room, which would be my lounge, is very damp and was actually falling down. So we’ve had conservationists and heritage people inspecting the work as it’s been going along. The whole pub has got to shut for health and safety reasons. The regulars are sad but pleased that the work is being done."

A planning application by Hawthorn The Community Pub Co, who were acquired by Admiral Taverns last year, has been lodged asking for conditions on the planning consent to be discharged so work can be carried out quickly.

It states: "We recently revisited site with the propping and structural engineer and it appears the building has some new movement, perhaps due to the recent high winds, we therefore request a