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Hydes Brewery’s The Abel Heywood, the Manchester city centre pub and boutique hotel, closed yesterday (25 February) for a full £200k interior refurbishment.
After 10 years of trading in the Northern Quarter, the venue will benefit from new booth seating, modernisation of all existing Victorian-style decor, new external signage, lighting, and revitalisation of the bar area.
The Abel Heywood is due to reopen to the public on Saturday 9 March ahead of Mother’s Day.
The on-site boutique hotel, which consistently has a 99% occupancy rate, will remain open throughout the renovations. Hyde has plans to refurbish the hotel at a later date.
Meanwhile, the venue’s general manager, Alex Allan, has marked a decade in the job.
Salford-based Hydes appointed Allan in December 2014 to head up the team at The Abel Heywood after it originally acquired the premises in the same year as an almost derelict, fire-damaged former textile warehouse.
Since officially opening in 2015 after a multi-million transformation, Allan has helped establish the venue as “one of the star attractions” of Manchester’s famous Northern Quarter.
Allan said: “I’ve put my heart and soul into The Abel Heywood and loved every single minute of the journey so far. I’ve navigated some challenging periods such as Covid and the subsequent lockdowns, plus the ongoing cost of living crisis, but it remains a hugely popular venue for drinkers in the city centre.
“I’m immensely proud that The Abel Heywood has become such an integral part of what the Northern Quarter is all about. It’s great for the local economy and brings in lots of business to this part of the city. We’re very much looking forward to the makeover to give it the subtle refinements and modernisation that it deserves.”
Adam Mayers, MD of Hydes Brewery, added: “Alex is a first-rate manager and has done an outstanding job at The Abel Heywood. His energy and commitment is second to none, and we completely support his vision and direction. The passionate and committed team will ensure continued success when it reopens post-refurbishment.
“We’re happy for such an iconic building to receive a major refresh, yet fully retain all the character and history it is renowned for, which is very important to us and our customers. And in the capable hands of Alex and his outstanding team, we look forward to the Abel Heywood re-opening its doors and continuing to be one of the most well-loved and talked about destination pubs in the city centre.”
