Titanic to revive South Cheshire pub with a chilling part in Congleton's past
An expanding brewery with a track record of reviving pubs in Staffordshire is taking on its first Cheshire pub.
Ye Olde Kings Arms, High Street, Congleton, is the eighth pub to be opened by Titanic Brewery in seven years.
The historic inn comes with a gruesome place in South Cheshire history – condemned prisoners were led down a secret passage from nearby Congleton Town Hall to have a final drink before being taken to the gallows.
“It appears that there are two blocked up passages in the cellar which were used to lead condemned prisoners to and from the pub,” said Titanic Brewery Director Dave Bott. “We’ve not yet heard of a ghostly presence but we are keeping a careful eye out for any strange happenings in the cellar.”
The timber framed Ye Olde Kings Arms is believed to date back to the 16th Century.
Titanic based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, has established a reputation for opening and reviving pubs at a time when the UK has been hit by a flood of pub closures.
The brewery’s pubs are known for their friendly, welcoming style where customers can enjoy a relaxed drink and a conversation.
Titanic’s range of award winning real ales are sold together with other high quality beers and lagers and good pub food sourced from local suppliers.
“Our pub business is based on a passion for the great British pub where customers of all ages enjoy good beer and food and conversation in comfortable surroundings,” said Dave.
“We love to work with local butchers, bakers and other suppliers to sell great local produce and cut down on food miles.
“Our range of real ales has been supplemented with the production of MAP, our first American style craft beer and our own cask stout.”
“We have been looking for a pub in Congleton for some time and believe Ye Olde Kings Arms is an ideal addition to our growing pub portfolio.”
Unlike many of Titanic’s pub revamps, the former Marston’s house has benefitted from a sympathetic refit in recent years leaving Titanic with only a limited redecorating programme to complete.
The Grade Two listed Ye Olde Kings Arms is scheduled to reopen in mid-November.
