April 14th 2021 – Excellent news – building work restarts
Please note that the building site is a ‘closed site’ while the construction work takes place. Please do not go to the site without prior arrangement
Builders (Kirk Shenton Homes) are on site and have been busy preparing the floor for the pouring of the concrete on April 28th
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Application for discharge of conditions – February 2021
The application for the discharge of conditions associated with the latest planning approval have been submitted to Cheshire East. Details (particularly of the venting system) can be viewed using this link.
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Good news! Permission granted – November 13th 2020
The project can now go ahead as planning approval for the amendments has been granted.
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Admittance beyond the barrier/fence is by special arrangement only.
If you have any questions please use the contact email.
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Final steels installed – September 2020
Steel along back 
Getting ready for upper floor 
Rebuilding back of pub
The demolition of the walls is complete. Now the final structural steels are in place the concrete floor can be poured and the new walls can be constructed.
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Planning update – amended plans were sent to Cheshire East but were refused as the changes were too significant to be considered as a minor amendment. However revised plans have now been submitted – more information on the ‘future plans‘ page.
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Footings in place – early August 2020
Rebuilding works – July 2020
Main entrance steel in place 
Starting foundations 
Underpinning side wall 
Corner ready for concrete 
Foundation of rear wall 
Removal of storeroom 
Opening up the main entrance 
Old timber feature in bar wall.
Starting the reconstruction – June 25th 2020
Wall behind new bar 
Block work taking shape 
The only way is up! 
Old cellar entrance gone 
The bar will be between these pillars 
Plenty of space for the bar 
Steel for new main entrance
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Completing the demolition of the rear wall – June 4th 2020
Attacking the rear of the building in preparation for the new extension and floor – May 2020
The back wall has been demolished so that the footings for the new extension can be built and the new downstairs floor installed.
Update on internal renovations – April 2020
During early renovation work serious failings in the building structures were exposed. A new steel beam structure has been designed and fitted. We now have a building that is not liable to fall down!
Renovations have been continuing as much as possible under the Coronavirus restrictions. Here are some pictures (plenty more in the ‘photos‘ section.
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A message of support from the Strawbridge family (of ‘Escape to the Chateau’ fame).
Ann Jones (one of our shareholders) has been in touch with Dick and Angel Strawbridge and told them about our project. Here is their reply :-
“Wow, sounds like your village is having a pretty big adventure…how exciting….difficult times at the moment, we are sure…but this will pass and then hopefully you can carry on with your plans!
“Hope you are doing ok in these crazy times? We are making the most of the spring sunshine, spending time in the garden with the kids and the new puppy, Petale…..
“Keep in touch and let us know how everything is going….and stay safe!
“Love
“Angel, Dick, Arthur and Dorothy Xx”
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Planning update (March 19th)
The application by Memory Lane Classics for outline planning permission on the site adjacent to the pub (19/2099N) has been approved. The Notice of Decision can be seen on the planning department site.
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Tony has taken part in a ‘phone interview with Radio Stoke on ‘The Takeaway’ programme. You can hear a recording of the conversation with Michelle Daniels here (copyright BBC Radio Stoke).
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Lots of work inside the building last week (Feb.24th – 28th)
More pictures can be found on the photos page
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Saturday Feb. 22nd – Thanks to all the volunteers who cleaned and stacked the bricks ready for reuse
Before … 
… After!
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The new ‘steels’ have arrived – February 19th 2020
Delivery of steels 
Ready for installation
Springing into action -February 17th 2020
Nothing to do with the recent storms! The central chimney has been removed to permit leveling of the ground floor and other internal changes.
Central chimney missing 
Gap in the roof line 
Hole in the roof! 
Chimney breast upstairs gone 
Rubble filling the old cellar 
Rubble downstairs
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February 2020 – spreading the word
A flyer has been published and over 500 copies have been distributed in Hankelow and the surrounding parishes. The flyer can be downloaded here.
The Nantwich News have published an article about our venture. Interested parties are encouraged to contact us via this site. To view the article click here
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December – ongoing work inside (more pictures on photos page)
Ceiling and beams exposed
November 22nd – tank lifted into place and fitted (more pictures on photos page)
Up it goes. 
Across to the hole 
Over the concrete plinth 
Nearly there! 
Bedded in. 
All neat and tidy!
November 18th – starting the installation of the water treatment tank
The digging begins ….. 
Half a metre down 
Top soil removed 
Grease trap needs burying too. 
Whoosh! We reached the water table
Other work is being carried out inside the pub by the builders. Structural engineers are also on site assessing the project.
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November 6th – The ‘monster’ has arrived!
The new, bespoke water treatment plant has been delivered. We’ll update you as installation proceeds – its going to need a big hole !!
A hefty load to lift 
Temporary resting place 
What a whopper !
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September 25th – Building regulations documents have been approved.
Many thanks to all those who worked so hard preparing these documents and set us on the next phase of the project.
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Groovin’ on the Green – Saturday September 7th
The sun shone and the Band played …
Click this link to see a video of the event.
In celebration of the 1969 Moon Landing several youngsters submitted entries for the Space colouring competition :-
Ph0ebe – aged 2 
Brad 
Mackenzie
Thanks to all those who toiled for several days setting up and lighting the event – a massive task- and also to the team who helped with dismantling afterwards.
Thank you to all the volunteers and Memory Lane Classics who worked a very long shift (all day in most cases!) running the stalls and attractions.
The contributions from our village bakers proved very tempting and the BBQ was also busy (yes, there were spam fritters too). The ‘hippies’ on the bar had many customers -we even had to send out for more prosecco!
Red Shift Radio created a happy atmosphere as well as keeping the visitors informed of events. The party atmosphere was enhanced by the number of people in fancy dress and the bar!!
The live music started with local saxophonist Alistair MacKenzie who enthralled the audience with his skills. California Blue were brilliant and the performances by Billy Gibbons were superb – Rock on!
Finally thank you to all who came to support the cause – you were truly ‘part of it’.
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Saturday August 31st – here we go again! Clearing up after the last wrecking session.
Getting the rubble up 
Inspecting the floor 
Radiators for recycling 
Very dusty work downstairs
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Saturday August 17th – the demolition gang are in action again! Upstairs this time.
First floor demolition 
Stud walls are going 
This is what crowbars are for. 
Demolition men 
Drake power! 
Lion’s ‘backside’
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Beer Tax petition
Do you think beer tax should be cut? Then log onto www.longlivethelocal.pub where you will find details of the campaign organised by the British Beer Alliance and a petition to lobby your MP.
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Saturday August 3rd – a busy morning demolishing the bar.
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We have full planning approval!
Cheshire East have approved our plans and their notice of decision can be found on their planning website.
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Great Gathering on the Green
Look for the new video link below.
Our colleagues at Memory Lane Classics organised this brilliant event on Saturday June 29th and even the sunshine arrived on cue. The ‘message’ went out and a large number of owners and enthusiasts of classic cars ‘gathered’ during the afternoon.
The visitors were treated to a gleaming array of cars owned by Memory Lane Classics, some of which were for sale or for hire. MLC staff were on hand to chat to visitors, promoting their business and explaining the services they offer.
The hungry hoardes were able to purchase food at the BBQ but on the hottest day of the year it wasn’t just the sausages and burgers that were sizzling, the chefs were too! Well done Ian and his team (literally)!
The ‘pop-up White Lion pub’ was a great hit. Chris, Nick and Phil did an excellent job setting up the bar and they were kept very busy by a constant stream of customers throughout the entire event. Cheers, gentlemen!
The White Lion Team would like to say ‘thank you’ to Rodney Densem Wines for their generous donation of the raffle prize and the Lord Combermere for the loan of the temporary bar.
Our thanks also go to all attendees, volunteers and helpers for ‘being part of it’ and making the event such a ROARing success.
Here’s a great new video of the event. Our thanks go to Malcolm Lees for its production.
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Action at last!
Pipes are going under the road for site drainage.
Preparing to cross the road 
Contractors at work 
Drainage pipes in place
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The process of informal tendering is also underway.