Salford-based brewer and pub retailer Hydes has committed to a £235k refurbishment of the boutique hotel at The Abel Heywood, based in Manchester’s vibrant Northern Quarter.

The investment follows a multi-million, seven-figure investment programme across its pub estate in 2024 including a £200k refurbishment of the award-winning Abel Heywood pub in February last year.

Acquired by Hydes in 2014, The Abel Heywood’s hotel facility will undergo a rolling closure in January which will be fully complete by early March. Numerous rooms will be available during the refurbishment programme and the pub, bar and dining facilities will operate as normal.

The on-site boutique hotel, which is popular with visitors to Manchester, consistently has a 99% occupancy rate and is one of the best reviewed hotels in the city.

The refurbishment of the Abel Heywood’s hotel rooms will include complete redecoration of all 15 rooms including new beds, fixtures and fittings and contemporary decor, aimed at the modern city break guests.

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

Hydes 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 transforming it into the eye-catching landmark building that it is today. The Abel Heywood first opened its doors to customers in the Northern Quarter in December 2014.

Alex, who has worked for Hydes for more than 14 years having run a previous establishment in the city, was responsible for spotting the rundown building on Turner Street and bringing it to the attention of the Hydes 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. Since opening, the city has witnessed the launch of more than 25 new hotels, yet the Abel Heywood has maintained its reputation and is fully booked with guests every week.

The refurbishment of the pub in February 2024 included the modernisation of all existing Victorian-style decor, new external signage, lighting and a revitalisation of the bar areas. The refurbishment proved to be a big success with customers, helping to boost takings significantly during the second half of the year.

Alex Allan said: “The Abel Heywood is a hugely popular venue for drinkers in the city centre alongside day trippers and visitors to Manchester who want somewhere quirky and cool to stay overnight.

“After a decade managing the Abel Heywood, it 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. Following the hugely successful refurbishment of the pub last year and significant investment from Hydes, the full refurbishment of the hotel will give it the modernisation that it deserves and hopefully have the same impact as the investment in the pub.”

Adam Mayers, managing director of Hydes, commented: “The Abel Heywood is a key venue for Hydes and this second round of investment in under 12 months continues our commitment to the ongoing refurbishments of all pubs in our estate. With its adjoined 15 room boutique hotel, it is a firm favourite in the city’s Northern Quarter and this further investment will enable it to build on the success and reputation it has established since we first acquired it over a decade ago.”

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 40 pubs across the North West of England and North Wales.