The Castle is CAMRA Cheshire Pub of the Year 2023
The Castle, Macclesfield, is CAMRA Cheshire Pub of the Year 2023. It is both an great pub and an excellent example of pub conservation which has become a ‘must visit’ on any trip to Macclesfield. Come and join us for the presentation on Saturday 2nd of August.
The Castle, Macclesfield had been closed since January 2015 when acquired by the current owner, Branching Out Two Ltd DCPS, and was in very poor condition. A leaking roof had caused the partial collapse of one of the most impressive features, the ornate ceiling in the front lounge. Work commissioned from a historic building consultant identified the front part of the pub as being of especial significance. Consent was obtained for the creation of additional accommodation at the rear of the building, including a new Upper Lounge.
Historic features throughout, including the missing sections of the ceiling of the front lounge, were carefully repaired and replicated by the company’s team of skilled craftsmen. Rewiring, a new heating system and the rebuilding of a previously unsupported chimney were also necessary whilst leaving original features undisturbed. Expansion of the accommodation for the public, alongside maintaining the feel of the historic core of the pub, has given a new lease of life to a building that was apparently destined for permanent closure. The new lighting in the pub both highlights and complements the historic features.
The pub has previously been named joint winner in the Historic England Conservation Award – recognised in the highly acclaimed Pub Design Awards, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale.
