White Lion Hotel, 20-22, Great Underbank, Stockport

The White Lion Hotel was sited at the junction of Great Underbank and Union Road (now renamed Deanery Way) and was designed to replace an earlier hotel, deemed the oldest licensed premises in Stockport. It was erected immediately to the rear of the existing House, which continued to trade during reconstruction (in order to retain its licence), before demolition at the completion and opening of the new hotel. Dated 1904 on rainwater head, although not opened until the following year, this comprised four storeys and basement It was built of a combination of brick with stone dressings, rendering and half timbering, combined for the maximum picturesque effect; plain tile roof; circular corner tower with copper dome.

The White Lion closed in 2008 and was left unoccupied and disused with resultant deterioration of the fabric and structure. Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council acquired the building in late 2015 to safeguard its future as a key part of the Council’s £7 million investment in the Underbank and Market Place area. In 2019 the upper floors were converted into 11 affordable one and two-bedroomed apartments - Bowker Sadler Architecture. It was agreed that the ground floor and basement could revert to use as a public house, conversion works being completed in 2024.

The architect has been identified from secondary sources only.

The previous “White Horse” was first granted a licence in the 1490 and was for many years a popular coaching inn on the main route from Manchester to the South (A6). It was rebuilt several times and No 22 Great Underbank was last re-fronted in a traditional Cheshire half-timber style in 1823. It is probable that the timbering was still used structurally as in its medieval precedents, rather than applied “mock timber,” as has been suggested more recently. At some stage No 20 – a brick building with archway giving vehicular access to the rear properties was incorporated into the hotel. In 1834 the White Lion was offered for sale. A contemporary description noted that “the House has been long distinguished as a post-house and this part of the establishment comprises three chaises in the best repair and condition and six capital post horses. The house is admirably sited for business, as well as for the accommodation of visitors to the town, and is replete with every convenience. Attached to the House is a spacious yard, containing a large carriage shed, three stables, which would accommodate about twenty horses, and other suitable buildings.” These outbuildings to the rear of the premises were demolished after the Second World War.

Image                   Wikimedia Commons. Photographer: Gerald England