Historic Greater Manchester pub could soon be pulling pints again if new plans get go-ahead

One of Greater Manchester’s most historic pubs could soon be pulling pints again if plans for the final phase of its revamp are given the go ahead. The upper floors of The White Lion, in Stockport town centre, were transformed into luxury apartments in 2020, breathing new life into the Grade II listed building after it had stood vacant for more than 10 years.

Now there are plans for a ‘sensitive refurbishment’ of the old Great Underbank inn - thought to be the town’s longest continually licensed public house - in order to return the basement and ground floor to their ‘original and optimum use’. The present 1904 building echoes the style and detailing of the original White Lion Hotel and is described by Historic England as a ‘hearty blend of late medieval and Baroque features in a typically exuberant Edwardian fashion’.

Plans brought forward by Stockport Leisure Ltd propose internal and external alterations that will allow The White Lion to operate as a pub again. While it is accepted there will be some ‘minor negative impact’ on the fabric of the building, the applicant argues this is ‘outweighed’ by the benefits the project would bring.

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“The proposal will bring back into use a vacant listed building helping to maintain its long-term future,” documents add.

“The overall scheme will complement the established and emerging leisure and night-time offer within the Market/Underbanks area which has largely been driven by independent operators and makes a vital contribution to the attractiveness of Stockport town centre.”

Proposed works include a ‘public house fit-out’, including toilets, a