Abel Heywood to head Hydes refurb programme

The Salford brewer and pub group has committed to a seven-figure investment across its estate, starting with a full overhaul of the venue in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

Opened by Hydes in 2015, the Abel Heywood will close on 25 February for a full interior refurbishment including new booth seating, modernisation of its existing Victorian-style decor, new external signage, lighting and a revitalisation of the bar areas.

Family-owned Hydes, which marked its 160th anniversary last year, is spending £200,000 on the Abel Heywood project. The hotel on-site, which has a 99% occupancy rate, will remain open throughout.

Other sites to receive some TLC as part of the programme include The Boat House at Parkgate on the Wirral, The Nursery Inn in Heaton Norris, Stockport and The Mount Inn, Chester.

The investment total will run into seven figures for the year including smaller-scale refurbishments at a number of additional Hydes pubs.

Last year Hydes committed more than £4m worth of investment in its estate. The Jolly Thresher in Lymm and The John Millington in Cheadle Hulme both underwent extensive refurbishments. Further investments were made at various other sites including The Sam Brooks in Sale, The Golden Lion in Rossett and Alfreds in Macclesfield.

In October 2022, Hydes – one of three longstanding, Greater Manchester family brewers – completed its first freehold acquisition since 2015, purchasing the former police station in Heswall. Named after the architect of the original building, The Harry Beswick cost  £3.6m and opened its doors as Hydes’ newest premium pub and dining venue in November 2023.

Adam Mayers, managing director of Hydes, said: “The Abel Heywood is a key venue and kicks off a series of investments that will see us continuing to commit to the ongoing refurbishments of all pubs in our estate.

“This follows significant investment programmes for the previous two years, resulting in the revitalisation of multiple sites. The Abel Heywood, with its adjoined 15-room boutique hotel, is a firm favourite in the city’s Northern Quarter and this investment will enable it to build on the success and reputation it has established since we first acquired it nearly a decade ago.”

Hydes operates nearly 50 pubs ranging from Lancaster in the North to Stoke-on Trent in the Midlands and across to North Wales.