Mossley on Monday: The George Hotel

Today's photo shows the former George Hotel in Top Mossley. But just where was the George Hotel?

The first George Hotel in Mossley wasn't here at all, but at Seel Fold at the top of Old Brow. This was later re-named The Highlander and The Highland Laddie and was re-build as the present Highland Laddie around 1903.

The George Hotel here on Stamford Street was opened in 1826 on the site of the café and former shop in the centre of the picture. The street up the side is called George Street, after the pub.

That original pub stood further forward than the present buildings and was pulled down to widen the road in 1866, when the grander building to the left was constructed. The George's size and central location made it Mossley's main hotel and it became a meeting place for various groups, such as Oddfellows lodges, the Order of Shepherds and the Druids Brass Band.

The building has been empty for several years but has recently been completely re-built inside to incorporate modern apartments. The ground floor is to re-open shortly as a new family venue with the name Giorgio's (clearly based on the building's original name). This is being promoted as having a Bistro, a Children's area, wifi/internet, a high-tech atmosphere and a meeting room. This new café bar opens on Thursday 16th April.

Incidentally, the triangular wedge of land between the pavement of George Street and the side wall of the café was for many years the location of a small lean-to hut that accommodated a butcher's shop!

See Google Aerial View of this location.
See LiveSearch Birds Eye View of this location.
Those with an interest in local transport history may like to note that this Bird's Eye View (at least, in March 2009) shows a Mayne's bus waiting at the traffic lights, which means the image is over a year old at this time.