It was a favourite among locals... but there are new plans for popular Greater Manchester pub

A former pub in Cheadle Hulme that was a favourite among locals is set to finally reopen, but instead will be turned into an Italian restaurant.

The Hesketh on Hulme Hall Road will become part of Italian food chain Pesto after a planning application to transform the empty building was granted.

Work can now begin to turn the site into the new eatery, with plans to remove the existing astroturf and play area, extend the rear stone terrace, and resurface and alter the car park layout as part of the revamp.

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The extension of the stone terrace will provide more seating for customers visiting the new restaurant.

The new owners also want to repaint the building's external walls and repair part of existing building roof. A small change to the car park is planned, increasing the capacity to 51 spaces from the 48 currently there.

The pub was built on the site of original village inn in 1864 according to a heritage statement submitted along with the application, but it has since been forced to close after running into difficulty during the pandemic.

It was a Cheadle Hulme favourite which some in the village hoped would one day reopen in its current form.

A report submitted as part of the planning application stated that some concerns were raised that reopening the site could cause an increase in noise, but this was not considered to be at an unacceptable level.

With planning permission granted, the new owner now has three years to begin the approved works. Pesto was founded in 2006 and aims to create an informal and relaxed atmosphere in its