Waterside Inn, Leigh

Waterside Inn
Stone warehouse with brick addition
The pub in 2008
Waterside Inn, Leigh is located in Greater Manchester
Waterside Inn, Leigh
Location within Greater Manchester
General information
TypePublic house (current)
Canal warehouse (former)
LocationCanal Street,
Leigh, Greater Manchester, England
Coordinates53°29′39″N 2°31′18″W / 53.4943°N 2.5216°W / 53.4943; -2.5216
Year builtLate 18th century
Opening2024 (as a pub)
RenovatedLate 19th century (added)
Closed2020 (as a pub)
OwnerGreene King
Design and construction
Designations
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name
Former canal warehouse
Designated27 July 1987
Reference no.1068479
Website
thewatersideleigh.co.uk

The Waterside Inn (officially listed as Former canal warehouse) is a Grade II listed public house on Canal Street in Leigh, a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The building was originally constructed in the late 18th century as a canal warehouse, with a brick extension added in the late 19th century, and was still used for warehousing when it was listed in 1987. It became part of the Leigh Bridge conservation area in 1989 and was subsequently converted for use as a pub.

History

The building was constructed in the late 18th century, according to its official listing, and was originally a canal warehouse,[1] with a brick extension added in the late 19th century.[2][3] The 1893 and 1939 Ordnance Survey maps show the building without a designation or attributed name.[4][5]

On 27 July 1987, the former canal warehouse was designated a Grade II listed building, at which time it was described as being in use for warehousing.[1] In December 1989, the site was included within the newly designated Leigh Bridge conservation area.[6] The building was converted to a public house at a later date.

In October 2020, the pub closed after its operators announced that reopening would not be viable during the COVID-19 pandemic and cited other contributing factors,[7] though it subsequently reopened in April 2024.[8] As of May 2026, the pub's freehold is owned by Greene King.[9]

Architecture

The earlier warehouse is an 18th‑century, two‑storey structure built in stone, with four bays.[1] It includes loading doors in the third bay at the front and rear, stone‑framed windows in the central bays, and a two‑storey canted window in the first bay.[1] A chimney rises along the roof line.[1]

The later warehouse, added in the 19th century, is a larger brick‑built block with three storeys and five bays.[1] Each floor has four casement windows with arched brick heads, and the central bay contains loading doors set within blue‑brick surrounds and topped by a small gable.[1] The eaves have decorative brickwork, the gable ends are finished with coping stones, and the rear elevation includes a projecting canopy above the loading doors.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Historic England. "Former canal warehouse (Grade II) (1068479)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  2. ↑ "Former Canal Warehouse (late c18)". wiganbuildings.co.uk. Wigan Buildings. Archived from the original on 14 April 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  3. ↑ "Former Canal Warehouse (late c19)". wiganbuildings.co.uk. Wigan Buildings. Archived from the original on 16 March 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  4. ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Lancashire CII.7". maps.nls.uk. Ordnance Survey. 1893. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  5. ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Lancashire CII.7". maps.nls.uk. Ordnance Survey. 1939. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  6. ↑ Leigh Bridge Conservation Area Appraisal (PDF). wigan.gov.uk (Report). Wigan Council. April 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  7. ↑ Soutar, Liam (24 October 2020). "Borough pub announces permanent closure". Wigan Today. Archived from the original on 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  8. ↑ Clarke, Gaynor (25 April 2024). "Delight as opening date is announced for popular canalside pub which closed during pandemic". Wigan Today. Archived from the original on 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Waterside Inn, Leigh". camra.org.uk. Campaign for Real Ale. Archived from the original on 23 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.