The redevelopment of the former Stamford Arms in Bowdon has finally been given the green light – with work set to start this week.
The new owners, who bought the leasehold for The Firs pub last year, have been locked in negotiations with the council over an application to remodel the venue, which it is planning to reopen as The Stamford Kitchen & Tap Co.
The council has twice knocked back plans over concerns relating to the installation of a new roof terrace.
But while that issue remains unresolved, the council has given permission for work to start on the rest of the redevelopment.
A spokesman for The Stamford told us: “We are very pleased with the council’s decision to pass submitted plans. There are still a few outstanding issues to be resolved through re-submission, the main two being the first floor roof terrace including retractable roof; and materials to be finalised for the inclusion of bi-fold doors to the old timber function room.
“This will hopefully be agreed in the coming months however isn’t pertinent to us re-opening.”
New plans for the first floor terrace will be resubmitted by the owners shortly.
An opening date for the new pub will be announced soon.
The new leaseholders are experienced restaurateurs Alex Bracken, Rhitu Parihar and Nicholas Theaker, who all work for Dubai-based hospitality company 4-Front Facilities Management. Theaker was previously the general manager of Simon Rimmer’s Earle restaurant in Hale before moving to take the same post at Rimmer’s The Scene restaurant in Dubai.
The deal they signed earlier in the year gives them a 25-year lease on the property, which is owned by the Greene King brewery, with the automatic right to renew the lease when it expires.
