Tower that would have dwarfed city pub scrapped

A plan to build a 26-storey block of flats next to one of Manchester's most famous pubs has been scrapped.

The 72-apartment block was due to be built next to the Britons Protection on Great Bridgewater Street in the city centre.

While a "sensitive approach" had been promised since the plans were first revealed in 2021, the previous and current landlords of the Grade II-listed pub opposed the move, arguing it would deprive the beer garden of all its sunlight.

The developer, Arrowsmith Management, has been approached for comment.

Established in 1806, the pub's name is said to be derived from the building's use as an army recruitment centre in the early part of the Napoleonic wars.

It was recorded as having provided shelter to people fleeing the 1819 Peterloo Massacre in nearby St Peter's Field, where a yeomanry cavalry charge killed 18 protesters who were demanding broader voting rights.

The hanging sign outside the pub shows military men on horseback trampling demonstrators who are carrying placards demanding reform.

While there are tower blocks close to the pub, the Arrowsmith plan would have seen a block built directly next to it.

When the plans were submitted in 2021, the pub's landlord at the time, Mark West, said he feared it could have spelled the end for the pub, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"We will lose all the light in our beer garden – and that's before you take into account the impact of two years of building work," he said.

A consultation was carried out before the planning application was submitted in 2022.

The consultation website at the time said the beer garden would remain unchanged and not be overlooked by the building.

It also promised to "enhance rather than impact the pub" if the scheme was granted planning permission.

But this week a notice was published on Manchester City Council's website, revealing the plan has been withdrawn.

Mark Brennan, 32, who took over running the Britons Protection in January 2025, said he was relieved the tower would not be built.

"I'm quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn't necessarily translate to people coming in here," he said.

He added: "It would have looked horrendous... it's Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here.

"It wouldn't have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building."

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