Hidden warehouse pub that once housed the rovers return to open in city centre

'WE’RE SO EXCITED TO BRING THE STABLES TAVERN BACK' 12:40, 22 May 2025 A pub hidden within the corner of one of Manchester's oldest warehouses is to be reimagined with a nod

to its historic tavern roots. Located on the corner of Bonded Warehouse in the emerging St John’s neighbourhood, near Castlefield and Deansgate, The Stables Tavern will open to the public

next month with its ‘unfussy’ pub vibes. Originally built in 1869, the warehouse served as a significant contributor in Britain's economic expansion with the processing and distribution

of vital goods like grain, cotton, paper and flour. The original location for The Stables Tavern was once used as both a stables, to house the horses used to distribute goods, as well as a

tavern for warehouse workers to unwind after a long day. From 1960 until 2013, the site also formed part of the ITV Granada Studios complex site and has previously also spent time as the

home of Coronation Street’s much-loved and iconic Rovers Return pub. The location was used to film interior scenes for the soap in 2013, which saw the Rovers dramatically ravaged by a fire

and resulted in the death of beloved character Sunita Alahan. Now, new owners Shiko Group, who are also behind local venues including Side Street and Courts Club, aim to bring the site -

which has recently served as a wedding venue and pop-up events space - back to life as an ‘unfussy’ pub that will respect and honour its roots. The venue will feature multiple taps with

local beers that will be served with complimentary bowls of crisps. The pub will also serve up a selection of traditional pub snacks, including handmade sausage rolls and locally-sourced

pies. The Stables Tavern will also feature an outdoor seating area and a parlour located at the back of the venue which will host live entertainment, old-school games and other events

throughout the year. Hayley Sammé, Marketing Director, said: “We’re so excited to bring The Stables Tavern back to St John’s. The area's extensive historical backdrop and burgeoning

hospitality scene provides the perfect landscape for a traditional British pub. It’s the perfect addition to the existing scene, and we hope it’s going to become a popular spot in our new

creative district.” The St John’s neighbourhood, which is already home to the likes of Aviva Studios, Caravan, Trading Route, Project Halcyon Distillery and Fenix, is slowly becoming a

‘must-see’ area of town thanks to a raft of new openings and exciting projects. Article continues below Allied London, which developed Spinningfields two decades ago, is behind the

neighbourhood project - which is spending more than £1bn to transform the area into the city’s next popular district. Upcoming openings include Pitch, Mollie’s and Soho House. Alongside new

pub, bar and restaurant openings, the area, which is linked to Deansgate via Quay Street, will also see the completion of the Campfield market halls — previously used as the aerospace hall

of the Science and Industry Museum — into offices and studios with public spaces. The Stables Tavern will open in June.