Plans have been submitted to convert a pub that closed at the beginning of the first pandemic lockdown in 2020 never to reopen into shop units with living accommodation above.

Trafford Council’s planning portal has published the scheme to transform the former Garvey’s pub on Cross Street, Sale, into offices and retail spaces complete with a new shop frontage.

A design and access statement submitted by Grant Erskine Architects, based in Manchester says the property on the corner of Cross Street and Mersey Road has a cellar and first-floor living quarters.

“We believe the pub closed its doors after St Patricks Day Festival on March 17 2020 (lockdown started March 20 2020) and never reopened. 

“We know that the property was listed for sale on Rightmove prior to Jan 2023 from our email trail (although listing has since been removed).”

It said that the creation of new shop frontage will ‘greatly improve the look of the building in line with other shops along the front of the parade, directly across from of 118 & 120 Cross Street – a Grade II listed former farmhouse.

The statement added: “In its current use (disused public house – vacant) the front elevation does not have any merit.”

It said the proposal brings back into use a long-term existing vacant ground floor, enhances a commercial corridor and streetscape and complies with standards with regards to sound insulation.

It also said the plan provides a more ‘socially considerate use’ in the form of retail and residential with better opening hours and less intrusive operations (such as a pub, where there will be music, smoking outside, taxis coming and going late into the evening etc).