Derelict Croston pub The Grapes to reopen as swish Black Rabbit hotel, bar and restaurant
A derelict village pub will reopen this year as a swish new hotel, restaurant and bar.
The Grapes in Town Road, Croston, closed down in 2022 and was put on the market with a £425,000 price tag.
The 18th century Grade II-listed hostelry will reopen in the spring as the Black Rabbit - a boutique hotel, fine dining restaurant and bar.
An extensive refurbishment is nearing completion and the venue is now hiring bar, kitchen and waiting staff, and cleaners. You can find more information and contact details on the Black Rabbit Facebook page.
The Grapes has been a pub since the early 1800s, and also doubled as the local courthouse for many years. A prisoners’ cell - complete with bars - could still to be found in the living quarters.
What’s changing?
The statement issued to Chorley Borough Council in relation to the approved plans said: “The proposed use it to remain as a public house/hotel with guest room accommodation and fine dining/restaurant facilities.
“Some minor alterations are proposed internally to provide a layout change to the guest accommodation area. The main lounge bar and dining area/kitchen are to remain as existing with the exception of an internal pier being removed.
“It is proposed to maintain the original building externally with sensitive reinstatement of any areas of damaged render.
“The property is essentially to remain in its original appearance whilst repairing and restating any areas that are required.
“All windows are to be replaced (or repaired if practical to do so) with double glazed units. The primary front elevation is to be provided with matching hardwood sash windows.”
Covered seating area
Plans to create a new outside dining area in the car park have also been approved.
The applicant said: “External works are proposed to simply provide external seating and minor landscaping works and the provision of a covered seating area.
“All of these external works take place on the existing large car park, and has been historically used with external seating previously.
“Physical structures are limited to paved landscaping, timber covered balcony and small edging walls to sperate the parking area form the seating area.
“The primary parking area and entrance are to remain unchanged.”