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Confirmed: The Oast House to remain a permanent fixture in Spinningfields

One of Manchester’s most popular outdoor drinking holes has secured a long-term lease arrangement that will see it redeveloped into a permanent venue.

The Oast House in Spinningfields has worked with Manchester City Council for a plan to remain on site after opening as a pop-up pub six years ago.

Now the venue has confirmed that it has secured a permanent long-term lease to remain for both the Oast House and the Crown Square public space that sits immediately in front of the pub.

As part of the lease agreement, owners The New World Trading Company and Allied London have also submitted planning permission for a wholesale redevelopment of the Crown Square area which includes the removal of its white canopy in favour of a raised fire pit.

Plans are also being developed to move the stage area to the opposite side of the square in front of the Flannels store to maximise the amount of al fresco dining and drinking space for revellers.

Furthermore, two permanent outdoor bars are set to be added with additional customer toilets and heated canopies to support more punters, along with extensive landscaping of the area.

Chris Hill, who is chief executive at NWTC said: “The Oast House has established itself as a firm favourite in Manchester for al fresco dining and drinking, and we feel now is the perfect time to give the courtyard a makeover as well as maximising its usage for sunshine, entertainment and outside bars. We will be fully operational ready for Spring 2018”.

David Drews, Allied London Design Director added: “We are excited to be working with NWTC and acclaimed Barcelona based Landscape Architects Arriola & Fiol.

“Their design builds a story around the Oast house and cleverly links it to the surrounding Civic Buildings and offices of Spinningfields in a way that feels dignified and poetic.”

Work is expected to begin on the site in January 2018.