Altrincham’s Old Market Tavern sold

The Old Market Tavern, one of Altrincham’s most prominent pubs, has been sold for a price of around £900,000 ahead of a possible conversion into a mixed-use or residential project.

The extensive building is listed and sits on Altrincham’s Old Market Place, opposite the Orange Tree pub and within a conservation area.

The building first changed hands in 2017 after being put up for sale by Christie & Co on behalf of pubco Punch Taverns and has now been sold on to an undisclosed buyer.

While the pub is listed as an asset of community value, it has the potential to be converted into a hotel – it was formerly home to hotel accommodation on the upper floors – or a residential building. Mixed-use options, including retail on the ground floor, could also be explored, subject to planning.

Owing to the building’s listed nature and community status it is understood it will be some time before definitive proposals will come forward, but in the meantime a petition has already been launched to keep the building in use as a pub and live music venue.

It has been sold with a guide price understood to be around £900,000. The pub was formerly run by John Glover before his death in 2015 and was the frequent recipient of CAMRA awards for its real ale offering.

The purchase is the second major investment around Old Market Place in recent months after Quinta Group purchased the 5,000 sq ft former William H Lill Solicitors office at 16 Old Market Place.

This sits opposite the pub and is also a grade two-listed building; it has been empty since William H Lill staff relocated to Market Street after being purchased by MLP Law in 2017.