Popular Wigan pub revamp making good progress

The Crown at Worthington has been saved from demolition and the new landlords are busy refurbishing it ready for lockdown to be over and their launch party to be pencilled in.

The Platt Lane pub shut in January 2016 but Andrew McKenna, his partner Nic and their family recently moved into the buildings and have been quietly beavering away revamping the premises.

The couple are moving in with their four children and husky dog Silver and will revamp the sizeable building after the closure when its owners left suddenly.

Pictures show the revamp well under way. Work will see a wood burner added and decor and furniture replaced as well as the guest rooms being refurbished with a modern theme and country style.

They plan to reopen it as soon as possible after pubs are allowed to reopen and plan a food-led venue with “great meals, great drinks and a great atmosphere.”

There will also be an Italian chef with a focus on quality and affordable food.

Andrew, 40, said: “We were planning to reopen the pub at the end of April and coronavirus has obviously affected our plans but it hasn’t put us off and we are working hard to get the pub ready for when lockdown ends.”

Andrew, a resident of Hesketh Bank near Southport who also owns four travel agencies in the region and has invested heavily in this latest venture, said he sees huge potential in Standish and The Crown and plans a pub which the whole community can enjoy.

He said: “We cannot wait to reopen The Crown and serve the first pints to its once-loyal customers.

“The feedback, welcome and backing we have had locally have been overwhelming.

“So many people loved The Crown and we are confident we can bring it back to its best again.”

Paul Ogden, vice-chairman of Standish Voice, welcomed the news.

He said: “This is fantastic news. Best of luck to them with the revamp.”

The establishment’s revival is a huge victory for the Save The Crown campaign, which has campaigned to keep the building as a pub or restaurant after it was threatened with demolition so housing could be built there.

The campaign group, helped by Standish Voice Neighbourhood Forum, has been working behind the scenes since the pub – once a national Camra Pub of the Year runner-up – shut and have blocked plans to raze the premises, fought off the planning application and ensured all the organisations involved marketed the building as a hospitality venue.

An opening date for The Crown will be announced when the situation with coronavirus becomes clearer.