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by Lib Dem team on 12 April, 2014
The future of Cheadle’s George and Dragon is still uncertain, but there’s room for a good deal more optimism than we’ve had recently with the submission of two planning applications by Amber Taverns Ltd.
The plans for the George and Dragon look to keep it as a pub with a full internal refurbishment, new beer garden and covered area to the rear, employing 6 full time and 8 part time people.
There are two planning applications covering the changes (I think that’s for technical planning reasons): 55177 and 55179.
You can comment on the applications in the normal way. At the moment, the best place to look at the detail of what’s being proposed (as it includes a plan) is here.
Whilst we can’t comment on the details of the specific planning applications at this stage, we welcome progress at this important site in Cheadle. The sale price for the George and Dragon has been low for some time, but it seemed that the additional work required to bring the building up to a suitable standard put off potential buyers so we’re very glad that looks to have been resolved.
However, we all remember that Dorbiere last bought the pub with similar grand plans that came to nothing, so caution is probably wise!
Blackpool-based Amber Taverns own 70 pubs across the North of England and Wales.
9 Comments
Let’s hope the applications are successful.
Let us hope that this is fruitful
While any use of such a fine building is good, remaining a pub is the best option. Looking at their website, the pubs they own all have sky sports plastered on the exteriors. Not sure we need another sports TV based pub, but CAMRA will attempt to contact Amber with. View to obtaining its real ale intentions.
I looked at the Amber website. Sports are not incompatible with good pubs, for example the Star and the Crown both attract their custom in this way, as does Cheadle Social Club. This can be done without visually intrusive advertising on the outside of the buildings. Word of mouth is a major source of new custom to pubs and restaurants in this village and any lapse in high standards also becomes a matter for discussion. Immediately before reading Alan Gent’s comment, I had contacted Amber Taverns to alert them to the strong following for CAMRA and real ale in this village and to ask their intentions in this matter.
While I welcome an application for it’s use as a pub, I am concerned that the open archway leading to the rear car park would be enclosed, somewhat destroying the ‘coaching house’ image of this listed building.
The sooner someone gets in the George and Dragon the better. I’m sure and planning application/meeting will sort out all the can’s and can’t, if we don’t get someone in here soon the building will shortly be beyond financial repair to any commercial organisation and then be a blot for many more years to come.
I agree with most of the previous correspondents – I also hope that the building turns back into a really good old-fashioned boozer as it used to be in the days of yore!!
I know that the majority of the Cheadle folk are very pleased at the prospect of the Georgr and Dragon once again opening as a pub. it has been a long time coming and hope it comes off!
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