It is Manchester's oldest pub building, and it has had quite the journey over the past 474 years. Now, the Old Wellington pub has unveiled its latest makeover, fresh from a month-long closure at its prime city centre location off Exchange Square.
A Storied History
The timber-clad beauty has been in Manchester city centre since it was first built in 1552. Although the building has undertaken two rather unprecedented moves during that time. For all the sticklers for accuracy out there (and yes, we know that's a lot of you), it is not technically Manchester's oldest pub, as the building only became converted to an alehouse in 1830. But it can lay claim to being the city centre's oldest surviving commercial building, and the only Tudor building to survive the Manchester Blitz in 1940.
Initially, it served as a draper's showroom in Tudor times and went on to become everything from an opticians to a fish tackle merchants before settling into pub life. It became The Vintners Arms in 1830, then renamed The Kenyon Vaults, before eventually being named The Wellington Inn in 1865, which has stuck ever since.
A Busy Hotspot
Nowadays, it can also lay claim to being one of Manchester's busiest pubs, with its beer garden, alongside that of fellow timber-framed neighbour Sinclair's Oyster House (dating from 1738), one of the city's hottest spots whenever the sun is shining. Indeed, punters have missed using the outdoor terrace in recent weeks, which together with the pub was closed off to the public while the refurbishment works commenced.
New Features Inside
Now, it has officially reopened to the public fresh from the new look inside ready for a busy summer ahead. And bosses at the Nicholsons pub have quirky plans in place to be able to show the football during the ongoing World Cup too. Up in its top floor restaurant area, beneath the vaulted timbers, you will see a number of new paintings hanging up on the walls. They include some historic portraits of Manchester in years gone by. But the two central portraits hide a bit of a secret. For underneath the artworks, there are large screen TVs!
These will be used to screen the football when England play and other key matches of the World Cup in the weeks ahead. At all other times, they can be discreetly tucked away beneath the artworks to keep with the historic ambience of the timber-clad venue.
Other Additions
As for other new additions at the pub, look out for a new dark green colour wash on the walls, as well as some new leather booth seating in the downstairs bar and first floor dining room. There have also been big investments in a new kitchen, and new bar areas on the ground floor and first floor. The dining areas have also brought in new furniture, while quirky new light fittings have been installed.
On the walls, fascinating moments in the pub's history have also been inked in gold paint. That includes how it underwent its most recent move, in the wake of the 1996 IRA bomb in Manchester city centre. The inscription reads: "In June 1996 a bomb exploded on nearby Corporation Street and damaged many of the surrounding buildings including the Old Wellington. It was repaired and reopened in 1997, but due to the city's redevelopment, it was decided the building would be dismantled and rebuilt 300m northward of its present location in Shambles Square, which opened in 1999."
At the pub's original location, it sat side by side with Sinclairs. But in order for both to fit in their new position, they were instead put into their L-formation that has created the popular beer terrace that we see today. Despite the formidable challenges of the past, the pubs were successfully rebuilt in their new location and have flourished into the 21st century. The Old Wellington's latest revamp signals the latest chapter in that colourful history.
