A Timperley pub is to temporarily close to undergo a £270,000 refurbishment in order to become a more “premium” venue.
Owner Greene King has confirmed it will be investing in the Stonemasons Arms and expects the work to be completed in eight weeks’ time.
A spokesperson for the brewery told us: “We can confirm a six-figure investment at the Stonemasons Arms in Timperley is planned. This is an exciting project and one that should be a great benefit to the pub and the community.
“Because this is a significant refurbishment, the pub will need to be closed for a short period once the work starts but it will reopen again very shortly afterwards.”
The brewery couldn’t confirm exactly when the Stockport Road pub would be closing, but did say that the pub will be reopening with new management.
A recruitment page advertising the opportunity to prospective tenants on Greene King’s website said it was looking to “improve the offer and move it towards a more aspirational and premium outlet”.
The pub, which can accommodate 60 food covers and has a large beer garden space at the back, has seen a slowdown of footfall in recent times despite the increased desirability of Timperley village as a night-time destination, as well as the arrival of premium brands including Costa Coffee and Sainsbury’s.
Beer sales fell by a third last year – from 396 barrels to 300 – and Greene King will no doubt be hoping the refurbished pub will appeal to more families.
The news about the Stonemasons investment follows our story yesterday about the impending arrival of a new bar, further down on Stockport Road.
Other Greene King pubs in Altrincham include The Griffin in Bowdon, Pelican in Timperley and Axe & Cleaver in Dunham Massey.
