By Beth Abbit,
Cosy watering hole taps into history of premises whose former immigrant owner sold exotic fruit back in the 1890s,
A new addition to West Didsbury’s bustling bar scene had paid tribute to one of Manchester’s Armenian settlers.
George Charles The Fruiterer is due to open on Burton Road in May and takes its name from the building’s previous occupant, a fruit seller.
George Charles was moved to Manchester from Armenia and married an English girl before opening the shop which sold exotic fruits.
Pub manager Ben Brown said he was keen to name check the fruiterer, whose shop was the focal point of Burton Road back in 1890.
He said: “We looked into the history of the shop because I thought something that old must have an interesting story behind it. We are trying to get hold of his relatives because the more we know about him, the better.
George Charles The Fruiterer, on Burton Road, West Didsbury. The new bar is due to open in May. Pic shows the former 1890s occupant, George Charles.
“It’s really exciting, I can’t wait to get in and start serving. It’s the first pub I have set up and it’s been quite a big challenge.”
George Charles has been financed by ex-Manchester City star Mike Johnson with the backing of director John Moly as part of their NCompass Taverns group.
Situated on the corner of Nell Lane and Burton Road, on the site of the former Wellington Food Store, the owners are promising a relaxed and ‘cosy’ atmosphere.
Ben, 30, learnt much of the pub trade from his dad – who ran a village pub near Huddersfield – and honed his craft working at The Parlour, on Chorlton’s Beech Road.
He said: “Burton Road has a lot of nice places to have a drink but I feel like it’s missing that place where people want to stay all night, meet up with friends and have a nice cosy time. The style of the place is going to be quite traditional.
“My history has always been in ‘old men’s’ pubs. I grew up in a village pub just outside of Huddersfield which was the centre of the community.
“I want this place to be the same.”
It is hoped that George Charles The Fruiterer will open within the next three weeks, initially taking on seven staff before and expanding to 17.
The pub will serve traditional food and bar snacks but the emphasis will be focused on serving hand picked Mancunian and continental beers.
Planning chiefs gave the green light to NCompass Taverns to create the new bar late last year following initial concerns from residents about potential noise and disturbance within the conservation area.
Source: Manchester evening news