Stockport pub restored by family invites Keir Starmer for a drink

A family team led by Chris and Alan Gent with Amy Barker took the lease of The Crown Inn in July 2025 and spent weeks restoring the 1877 pub; their work earned a CAMRA Heritage Award runner-up spot and local 'most improved pub' recognition.

The Crown Inn in Stockport has been revived by a family who took its lease in July 2025 and carried out a hands-on restoration. The building dates from 1877 and had suffered years of neglect before the new team began work. Chris and Alan Gent and Amy Barker led repairs to period features and the pub reopened to strong local interest. Their restoration was recognised with a runner-up place in the CAMRA Heritage Award and a local 'most improved pub' prize. What is known: - The family took the lease of The Crown Inn in July 2025 and completed several weeks of renovations before reopening. - The building began life in 1877 when three terraced houses became a public house and had fallen into dilapidation in recent years. - Renovations included stripping paint from vintage tiles, replacing broken Victorian stained glass, repairing mirrors and replastering, and cleaning long-neglected beer lines in the cellar. - The pub was named runner-up in the CAMRA Heritage Award and won 'most improved pub of the year' in Stockport and South Manchester. - The reopening drew queues and strong community response; the pub now hosts a monthly quiz, regular band nights and plans for a summer of live music and an outdoor bar. Summary: The restoration has renewed local interest in The Crown Inn and restored use of a long-standing community space, especially for older and longstanding patrons. The owners have scheduled regular events through the summer and say they may consider more projects in future, but no firm plans for additional sites have been announced.