Last orders at landmark pub

October 22, 2008

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The Three Shires

THE credit crunch has claimed a legendary Stockport landmark as its latest victim.

Historic pub the Three Shires is housed in a listed 15th Century timber building on Great Underbank, thought to be the town’s second oldest building.

But the bar’s owner has decided to call time on the business after being hit by the economic downturn.

It shut down at the weekend, sparking outcry from many who see it as a huge loss to the town centre.

Mike Hodgson, of brewery Copper Dragon, which supplied the Shires, said it had been a victim of circumstance.

"It closed its doors on Saturday," he said. "Because there is no outside space it’s not been helped particularly by the smoking ban. Then there’s the credit crunch and they do rely on the shoppers to be popping in for food. Really I think they have been a bit overtaken by circumstance and high rent."

He added: "It was just unfortunate - it was in a splendid building in a superb place." The pub’s owner, who was not available for comment, bought the pub in 2006 and introduced new beers, making it popular with real ale groups.

Jim Flynn, of real ale campaigners CAMRA, said the town centre would be worse off without the Shires.

"It’s a lovely place," he said. "In terms of the ambience and the history of the place it will definitely leave a gap.It is always sad to see somewhere like that go. Were it to shut permanently it would be such a loss to the town centre - it was unique, really."

Others go even further, saying the pub’s closure represents a wider decline in the town as a whole.

Councillor Sheila Bailey said: "It’s sad because the Three Shires is a really integral part of Stockport and has been for 300 years or longer. If places like that are going under there’s an incredible problem with Stockport town centre."

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smokerfordemocracy, South Queensferry (22/10/2008 at 12:24)

The Smoking Ban is decimating the hospitality industry and the credit crunch is being used as a smokescreen by the Anti-Smokers to hide the fact. Landlords should have the right to CHOOSE whether to allow smoking or not.

Deborah & Alan Thelwell (22/10/2008 at 17:18)

As the owners of "The Shires" in it's heyday during the 80's, we are very sad to see what was such a big part of our lives become the victim of the latest 'credit crunch'
The bar was always the 'in' place to go on a Friday & Saturday night during those happy times, before everyone went on the Bredbury Hall and the good old Bamboo.- many of the readers will remember, we're sure. Alan Harvey took over from us in 1986 and it continued to be successful. It is a sad reflection of our times that such an historic landmark is closing and we hope that one day it will once again become the place to "see and be seen" as the Express once wrote about it.

Deborah & Alan Thelwell (22/10/2008 at 17:19)

Sorry,the last comment was written by Alan and Debbie Thelwell, who now live in Phoenix, Arizona!

denise rankin (22/10/2008 at 20:53)

This is bad news for Stockport. My husband and I often went for a drink before/after shopping and its the only place we would consider doing so in Stockport. What a shame...
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Chris W, Blackpool (22/10/2008 at 23:20)

The Smoking ban is definately the main problem ,I don,t do pubs anymore because of this , cafe,s and restaurants too ! a pub used to be a place where you could relax with a pint and a cigarette ,now a lot of casual drinkers just go home to chill out ,if 50 people do this who had two or three pints per day that adds up to a lot of lost income ! ,the ban was forced on the public without a vote, no wonder pubs are closing at 36 a day around the country .

woodentop2u (22/10/2008 at 23:44)

I quite agree with smokerfordemocracy's comment. Most peple who go to the pubs as a way of unwinding from a hard days work like a cigarette with their pint, me included. It is so sad to see pubs like the one in the picture close down.

George Speller (23/10/2008 at 00:14)

CAMRA have got a cheek - they supported the smoking ban, believing the lies about the oubs filling up with non smokers. The poor misguided fools.

Too late to shed tears now.

Ask F.R.A.N.K, Stockport (23/10/2008 at 13:28)

Sad to see this place close. Always had a lovely atmosphere with no Karaoke, Sport blaring out on huge screens, children or chavs. Saying that I wish people would stop blaming the fag ban as the reason for their blah blah blah place to close. Smoking should have been banned years ago, if you fancy a smoke, do it in your own home or outside in the fresh air, don't pollute MY lungs!

Neoware1978, Stockport (23/10/2008 at 15:14)

As a smoker and drinker at the weekend I have in the past enjoyed many visits to the shires. I must agree with the pro-smokers who suggest that the smoking ban is crippling the hospitality industry.

Many of the pubs in the area have noticed a sharp decrease in takings and they all blame the smoking ban, The Old King on Portwood used to be a buzzing place on a Friday and Sunday night with Brian & Albert on the Kareoke, however the place is desolate now with many people choosing to stay in and drink at home with friends and family.

Another victim of the government's stupidity is the rising sun in the grove.

The goverment needs to abolish the smoking ban as it seems the only people who go out in Stockport of a weekend to enjoy the nighlife are the ones that are too young to even buy cigarettes let alone alcohol...Maybe I'm just getting old or maybe not at 30yrs.

lisa harding (23/10/2008 at 19:07)

i was until saturday the owner of the three shires with my partner simon, i don't blame the closer of the pub on the smoking ban however it hasn't helped our situation as we have no outside space. There are various factors and one of the main factors is Stockport Town center itself, the town seems to be dying and it pointless just having one decent pub for people to travel into the center for, Stockport needs a a new lease of life breathing into it.
When we took over the Three Shires there seemed to be a new buzz about the place and that seemed to dye earlier this year, with ever increasing overheads and a rapid decline in customers we had to make the very hard decision to close the doors of the Three Shires and we will dearly miss the place as it was more than just a business to us it was a huge part of our life and it will leave a huge gap in our hearts.

Roy Gregory, Exile (23/10/2008 at 19:12)

Ah, F.R.A.N.K, “if you fancy a smoke, do it in your own home”. Give that man a cigar (ah, maybe not; perhaps a bag of nuts, then), got it in one! They are staying at home. That is one of the reasons why pubs are nearly empty. Perhaps if all the anti smoking evangelists flocked to the pubs they claim to have avoided because of the smoke, the pubs wouldn’t be closing.

In case anyone is wondering, I don’t smoke and never have. I’m happy to let other people pay Tax and Duty that I don’t have too.

neil sk6 (23/10/2008 at 20:04)

As a non smoker that does not give two hoots if a bar does or does not have a smoking policy I think its time for my 2 pence worth......

I am sick of people saying the smoking ban has killed the pub trade the only people to blame for pubs going under is the pub trade, landlords not doing enough and sitting back on there backsides drinking there profit and the breweries for charging sky high prices for a pint, I tell you I did not think we would get London prices up here!!!!

Why would someone pay £2.50+ for a pint when they can get 24 tins for £10 at a supermarket......go figure that one and tell me I am wrong.

Phil B^), Stockport (23/10/2008 at 22:56)

How selfish are these smokers? Face facts, nicotine is a drug that kills people and puts a scandalous and unnecessary burden on the health system. Unlike heroin or ecstasy, when you do your drugs next to me I have no choice but to have my lungs polluted by your addiction. You want to do drugs, that's your funeral but keep them to yourself.

Ask F.R.A.N.K, Stockport (24/10/2008 at 12:48)

Stockport town centre is just not a safe place to be during the evening, fact.

Get some police back on the streets, handing out proper penalties for those causing all of the disturbances and then I'm sure we'll see a return to the good old fashioned leisure activity of 'going down the pub'.

Donald, manchester (24/10/2008 at 13:11)

Sadly Stockport is a pretty unattractive place to walk round and the Underbank area is not nearly as pleasant as the continental equivalents -how many establishments look inviting? Despite trumpeting 'green' credentials the borough is also very unfriendly towards pedestrians as anyone trying to cross the roads throughour the SK area will know.However it is certainly sad that this old pub will be lost to the area.

kevy, Australia (25/10/2008 at 06:05)

Shame to see it close, it used to be the "buzz" of Stockport, I used to go there alot in the late 80's early 90's, moved to Australia in 94, I think the goverment should have let the landlords decide to be smoking or non-smoking pubs, that way the public would have voted with there feet. Quick hi to Allan Thelwell, Kev Garner here mate worked together at Pearl Assurance, see you got to the states in the end good on yer mate.

magb8568, Reddish (27/10/2008 at 07:48)

I do not smoke and never will; however, I do not totally agree with the smoking ban. I believe children should never be allowed in pubs, but since they are maybe the ban should have been inforced during the day up until all children are vacated. Adults have a choice. We non-smokers have always known when you go into a pub there are going to be people smoking. If you are going to drink all night and damage your body that way, then what is a cigarette? I say this because I have been in the pubs here and I am not a drinker or a smoker, but I went to experience the culture. I do not do it often, but I made that choice to be around alcohol and cigarettes.No smoking bans in the day when children are present. Maybe that would have been a better plan.

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