The King's Arms is a Grade II listed former public house on Bridge Street Brow in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. Built in the early to mid-19th century, it is thought to have replaced an earlier inn called The Greyhound. It was known locally as The Hole in the Wall in the 1840s. After later use as a wine bar and a furniture shop, the building is unoccupied as of June 2026.
| King's Arms | |
|---|---|
 The former pub in 2021 | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
| Former names | The Hole in the Wall |
| General information | |
| Type | Public house (formerly) |
| Location | Bridge Street Brow, Stockport, Greater Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°24′43″N 2°09′27″W / 53.4119°N 2.1575°W |
| Year built | Early to mid-19th century |
| Renovated | Late 19th century (extended) |
| Design and construction | |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | Former King's Arms public house |
| Designated | 10 March 1975 |
| Reference no. | 1067193 |
History
editThe building was constructed in the early to mid-19th century, according to its official listing.[1][a] It is thought to have replaced an earlier inn called The Greyhound, which was in use in the early 19th century.[2] By the 1840s it was known locally as The Hole in the Wall and was run by the Baker family, who later operated the Bakers Vaults and owned several properties on the left side of the Brow leading up towards Market Place.[2]
The 1898 Ordnance Survey map shows the building as an inn without a name,[3] while the 1922 and 1936 editions record it as a public house.[4][5]
On 10 March 1975, the King's Arms was designated a Grade II listed building.[1] It forms a group with the Grade II-listed 1 Great Underbank and 26 and 28 Bridge Street Brow.[6]
Subsequent alterations saw the building used first as a wine bar and later as a furniture shop, although the dates of these changes are not recorded.[2] As of June 2026[update] it is unoccupied.
Architecture
editThe building is constructed in brick in Flemish bond and has three storeys. The upper windows have shaped lintels with keystones, and there are four on each of the top two levels, though those on the right are filled in.[7] The corners on the left side are emphasised with dressed stone, and a shaped timber band runs below the roof.[8] The ground floor has a shop front with simple vertical supports and a fascia with a dentil cornice. On the right is a later 19th‑century addition in a matching style, possibly created by updating an older structure.[8]
Interior
editThe interior keeps the main parts of its original layout, especially on the upper floor, where it links through to a neighbouring building facing Market Place.[8] This area includes a mid‑19th‑century warehouse space with timber‑framed floors and openings that were once used for lifting goods from the Market Place side.[8]
See also
edit
Notes
edit- ↑ The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) gives a construction date of 1824.[2]
References
edit- 1 2 Historic England. "Former King's Arms public house (Grade II) (1067193)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Stockport's Lost Pubs with Dave Stearn". Opening Times. Stockport and South Manchester CAMRA. July 2025. p. 15. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Cheshire X.15". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. 1898. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Lancashire CXII.9". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. 1922. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Lancashire CXII.9". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. 1936. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
- ↑ Historic England. "1 Great Underbank and 26 and 28 Bridge Street Brow (Grade II) (1162370)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- ↑ "Former King's Arms Public House". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Former King's Arms Public House". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 1 June 2026.