Rediscovering the Cross Keys is the heart of old Eccles

I like Andy’s picture of the former Cross Keys, flanked on one side by the old parish Church, with the block of flats rising behind.

The pub closed in 2013, and remained empty for three years before plans were submitted for its conversion into apartments.

I won’t be surprising too many people if I say that the Cross Keys had been the oldest pub in Eccles.  

There is a reference to it in 1629, it was extended in the 1820s and according to a Council report from 2016 it “has an interesting design due to its evolution over 400 years, comprising timber framed elements. The larger extended wing of the building (into St Mary’s churchyard) follows the angle of the street and gives a rare impression of the early character of Eccles, with narrow streets”*

The loss of any historic pub which has been at the heart of a community for centuries should not be accepted casually, but even before Covid, the trend was against the traditional public house, with many closing each week.

So a plan that retains the building, renovates the façade and gives it a new lease of life has merit.

And that development was welcomed by Historic England, which welcomed the scheme.

So, that is it.  

For those who knew and frequented the Cross Keys I haven’t broken new ground, but if like me you weren’t born in Eccles and only discovered it quite late in life, Andy’s picture will be interesting.

Location; Eccles

Picture; the former Cross Keys, 2020, from the collection of Andy Robertson

*400-year-old pub is going to be turned into flats - despite the noisy church bells next door, Historic England was welcomed the scheme which will save the building of the oldest pub in Eccles, Neal Keeling, October 7th, 2016, Manchester Evening News, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/cross-keys-eccles-flats-approved-11991654