The Castle, on Church Street in Macclesfield, had reached a state of semi-dereliction when business partners Paul Harrison and Tim Broster took it on.
After months of hard work, the venue reopened in September 2021 and is one of the cosiest pubs in the country – and the best in Cheshire – with a taproom having space for just eight customers.
The Castle is one of the cosiest pubs in the country (Image: supplied) The Telegraph has compiled a list of top pubs in each of England’s 48 counties and The Castle came out on top for Cheshire.
According to CAMRA – The Campaign for Real Ale – the grade II listed building went through a “spectacular refurbishment” and went on to jointly win the CAMRA Historic England Conservation Award.
It’s an “untouched, timeless and now rare example of an old-fashioned town pub and has been identified by CAMRA as having a nationally important historic pub interior”.
The 18th century pub is tucked away on a cobbled street and its star feature is a hatch bar that is reminiscent of a traditional, bowed shop window.
The owners say The Castle is an independently run freehouse “celebrating all things small”.
Rebecca Prunty, company director, said: “It’s been hard work and continues to be, with our bills ever increasing and customers being much more mindful of their spends, however we won’t stop doing all we can to provide a cosy and welcoming place to all who visit us!
“I couldn’t be prouder of my team or more grateful for the support we continue to receive from our customers, not to mention how grateful I am to all the amazing breweries/producers/makers/growers that we work with.
“I feel lucky every day to have had such an opportunity in such a beautiful building, in the best town around.”