The White Lion fully occupied after renovation

One of Stockport’s most historic pubs, The White Lion, is fully occupied after its transformation into apartments by Trafford Housing Trust and Stockport Council.

The White Lion, a grade II listed building on Great Underbank, Stockport, had been derelict for over ten years. Following a £2.4 million investment by Trafford Housing Trust’s Laurus Homes brand, and in partnership with Stockport Council, the former pub is now home to eleven one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Properties have been let under the rent-to-buy scheme, which helps first-time buyers to get on the property ladder through subsidised rent, enabling them to save funds to buy their home.  The ground floor and basement have also been renovated for a food-and-drink or retail space.

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

The completion of the White Lion is another exciting project contributing to Stockport’s vibrancy and complements our ambitious plans for the town centre like investment in the Underbanks, improvements to Merseyway shopping centre and the new transport interchange.

“Creating new homes to the quality that has been achieved in the White Lion is vital to establish the town centre as a location of choice in South Manchester, and breathes new life in to what was formerly a disused building. This historic building looks fantastic and has been given the respect it deserves in its new life as luxury apartments.”

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

We are really pleased with the apartments, which have been finished to the highest modern standards whilst retaining a lot of the original look and feel of the former pub. Letting the properties under the rent to buy scheme gives customers access to affordable housing, along with the opportunity to get a foot on the property ladder.”

The White Lion’s transformation forms part of Stockport Council’s £7 million investment in the Underbanks and Marketplace.

The White Lion pub dates back to the 14^th Century, when it was a coaching inn close to Lancashire Bridge, the only crossing point of the Mersey. Whilst the building has been rebuilt and remodelled several times in its history, the last major works date to 1906, and the restoration work has been sympathetic to the pub’s distinctive features, including retaining the original pub sign.