Stockport’s White Lion scoops top award for housing conversion

The transformation of the former White Lion pub in Stockport town centre has been recognised in the LABC Building Excellence Awards.

The White Lion, a Grade II listed former pub on Great Underbank in Stockport, was transformed last year and is now home to eleven one and two bedroomed apartments, following a £2.4m investment by Trafford Housing Trust under the Laurus Homes brand, in partnership with Stockport Council.

It was this week awarded the prize for Best Change of Use of an Existing Building at the LABC Building Excellence Awards for the North West.  The LABC (Local Authority Building Control) represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales.

Sean Dooley, Project Manager at Trafford Housing Trust, said:

We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award, which recognises the quality of the build and the care that was taken to transform it from a pub that had been derelict for 10 years to one of Stockport’s most desirable addresses.

“We were very keen to recognise the building’s original identity and preserve its history, so it was sympathetically restored. The grand staircase, original glass and unique turret room have all been preserved and finished in a modern design, whilst the original pub sign has also been incorporated into the development, giving a nod to the past and its former life.”

The renovation of the White Lion forms part of the council’s £7 million investment in the Underbanks and Market Place to transform this unique and important part of Stockport Town Centre.

Cllr David Meller, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said:

This is fantastic news – the hard work that has gone into bringing this historic building back to life and transforming it into one of the most sought after residential locations in Stockport town centre, has quite rightly, been recognised by external experts. 

“Our investment in the Underbanks and town centre as a whole is really paying off, with people seeing Stockport as a great place to live, work and do businesses – even during these challenging times.    

“Thank you to everyone involved in this fantastic project and helping local people find homes which they can proud of.” 

First granted a licence in the 14th century, the White Lion was originally a popular coaching inn on the main route in and out of Stockport and close to the only crossing point of the Mersey at Lancashire Bridge.

The pub was rebuilt several times over the centuries and was re-fronted in a mock Tudor black and white style in 1823. The last major remodelling took place in 1904-06, giving the building the distinctive features it still carries today.