Meet the man who turned around a derelict Northern Quarter warehouse into a much loved boozer

Alex Allan, who was appointed as manager of the Abel Heywood in December 2014, has helped establish the pub as one of the top boozers of Manchester’s famous Northern Quarter and secure its reputation as one of the city centre’s firm favourite places to stay.

Salford-based Hydes Brewery appointed Alex to head up the team at The Abel Heywood after it originally acquired the premises in 2014 as an almost derelict, fire-damaged former textile warehouse and invested millions in transforming it into the eye-catching landmark building that it is today.

The Abel Heywood

The Abel Heywood opened in the Northern Quarter in 2015.

Alex, who has worked for Hydes for 14 years having run a previous establishment in the city, was responsible for originally ‘scouting’ the rundown building on Turner Street and bringing it to the attention of the management team, who were looking for suitable pub premises to acquire and invest in.

The past decade has seen The Abel Heywood go from strength to strength, becoming one of the first dining pubs to provide boutique hotel accommodation in Manchester.

One of Manchester’s top places to stay according to Tripadvisor

Since opening, the city has witnessed the launch of more than 25 new hotels yet the Abel Heywood has held its position in Trip Advisor’s top 10 since day one, with 2,675 approved reviews, the most of any hotel in the current list.

After 10 years as an iconic destination in the Northern Quarter, the Abel Heywood is about to receive a £200k makeover.

The Abel Heywood £200k makeover

The pub closed on 25th February for a full interior refurbishment including new booth seating, modernisation of all existing Victorian-style decor, new external signage, lighting, and a revitalisation of the bar areas.

First opened as a pub by Hydes in 2015, the improvements include the installation of new booth seating, a fresh new update of the existing Victorian-style decor, new external signage, lighting and an appealing full revamp of the bar areas.

It is now re-open to the public, and we have to say, it looks brilliant.

Housekeeper, Jackie Gardner, has also been at the Abel Heywood since the day it opened, further adding to the overall appeal of the characterful 15 room boutique hotel.

Landlord Alex Allan

Alex Allan said: “I’ve put my heart and soul into The Abel Heywood and loved every single minute of the journey so far.

“The British pub is a sacrosanct institution, and we’re not trying to mess with the formula we keep things traditional, with a no-nonsense style energy.

“I’ve navigated some challenging periods such as Covid and the subsequent lockdowns, plus the ongoing cost of living crisis, but it remains a hugely popular venue for drinkers in the city centre alongside day trippers and visitors to Manchester who want somewhere quirky yet cool to stay overnight.

“We are riding a bit of a wave at the moment, with a bit of a post covid rebound.

“I feel like people are just looking for a comfort blanket, their local pubs, with something they know and love.

“That’s what we’re providing here.

“There have been a lot of closures, but we’re still going and I think we will see a real rebound in the region

“The brewery is doing fantastically, just had a great year, now expanding into kegged products like our new IPA, which is something new.

“I’m immensely proud that the Abel Heywood has become such an integral part of what the Northern Quarter is all about.

“It’s great for the local economy and brings in lots of business to this part of the city. Hydes have been great to work with throughout, backing me and the team to give the Abel Heywood an unmistakable identity all of its own, yet it’s still very much a Hydes pub with quality ales and food available every day.

“We’re very much looking forward to the makeover to give it the subtle refinements and modernisation that it deserves.”

A celebrity clientele

The Abel Heywood is no stranger to life in the limelight. It was used as a pub backdrop in the hit nineties BBC television series ‘Cutting It’, has appeared on numerous programmes since and counts celebrities such as Christopher Eccleston, Shaun Ryder, Dave Spikey and the Courteeners amongst its list of famous patrons.

The upstairs bar is occasionally used as a green room for nearby filming productions and has welcomed stars including Alison Steadman and Robson Green.

Alex told us about when he first saw the pub, and instantly saw its potential.

He said: “I was across the road one night, about ten years ago and me and my mate saw this huge derelict building.

“I think a tiny bit was being used as a tailor’s shop, selling clothing racks and coat hangers. The rest of the building was falling, parts were burned out.

“I was working in Fallowfields at the time, but I recognised immediately how much potential it had.

“I rang my boss immediately and said ‘You need to look at this venue, it’s amazing.’

“It always had a bit of a pub vibe, although it was originally a warehouse.

“Hydes bought it, invested in it and it’s been a successful nine years – COVID aside.”

Surviving difficult times

“The cost of living crisis was difficult, and recovering from the Arena bombing. These were dark days for the city as a whole. Other than that Manchester has been on a huge upward trajectory.

“In many respects, Abel Heywood has mirrored the upward projection of the city.

“I was born and raised in Manchester, but left for a bit to work around the UK.

“I returned to MCR in 2009 – how it’s changed in that decade and over the last few years has been incredible.

“The new Co-Op Live Venue, that’s going to be a real boon and with world-class gigs nearly every night – you just cannot beat it.

“The market is tough – there’s a lot of great restaurants and bars – not to mention fantastic hotels – Ancoats now which has taken a bit of the NQ feel and I think this reinvestment is Hydes show of belief in the area – apart from maybe the Car Park – maybe the council should do something about that.

“The outside looks amazing, we’ve got great colours and the lighting at night is beautiful.

“The hotel is for everyone, people come from all over the world, for business leisure or pleasure.

“This is a pub for anybody and everybody”

“There’s a lot of love for the pub for the years it’s been open – there’s been a lot of love.

“The support has been great and I think people see it as a real iconic Manchester pub.

“We love the Marble Arch, Pervil of the Peak and the Britains protection – but we want to be in that bracket. We want to be held in the same regard as them.

“We’re not independent, but we must be in people’s mindsets when they want a drink.”

Managing director of Hydes Brewery, Adam Mayers said: “Alex is a first-rate manager and has done an outstanding job at The Abel Heywood.

“His energy and commitment is second to none, and we completely support his vision and direction. The passionate and committed team will ensure continued success when it reopens post-refurbishment.”

Adam Mayers continued: “We’re happy for such an iconic building to receive a major refresh, yet fully retain all the character and history it is renowned for, which is very important to us and our customers. And in the capable hands of Alex and his outstanding team, we look forward to the Abel Heywood re-opening its doors and continuing to be one of the most well-loved and talked about destination pubs in the city centre.”

Hyde Brewery

Hydes, with its brewery in Media City, Salford, was formed in 1863 and supplies beers to wholesalers, pub companies and other brewers throughout the UK and a pub retailing estate of nearly 50 pubs across the North West of England and North Wales.

Looking for a great Gastropub? look no further – check out our fantastic list of top pubs for dinner.

You can find out more about Hydes brewery by clicking here.