Historic grade II listed pub gets £150,000 refurbishment

The Station Hotel in Nelson has reopened under new owners and the supervision of Stuart Kirkpatrick who already manages the town’s other pub.

The Grade II-listed premises in Hibson Road were bought from Amber Taverns last year by Hawthorn Leisure, which owns the nearby Lord Nelson.

The new owner spent £150,000 doing up The Station’s interior retaining many of its Victorian features while installing new flooring, furniture, and a remodelled bar.

It is now split inside into two parts - one with a pool table, a dart board and screens showing Sky Sports and BT Sport; and the other a zoned area with a lounge, coffee station, and small function room.

Hawthorn Leisure asked Stuart Kirkpatrick, already manager of The Lord Nelson where he had worked for 15 years, to take The Station under his wing.

He said: “People in the town come up and thank me and Hawthorn Leisure for taking on the Station.

“They were worried it was going to close, like so many other pubs in Nelson over recent years.

“We’re bringing live music back to Nelson, and will host local bands at weekends.

“That’s created a real buzz in the town, and it means people won’t have to get taxis to go elsewhere at weekends.

“There are two pubs left in Nelson; The Station and The Lord Nelson. The rest have closed or are no longer pubs. Hawthorn Leisure has done the place a real favour by keeping them both open.

“We’ve created a cosy, welcoming atmosphere and want to attract people who maybe haven’t been here – office workers, commuters from the nearby bus station, people from out of town, and those who go out at weekends to bars and clubs in outlying towns and villages.”

Pendle MP and new pubs minister Andrew Stephenson said: “I am delighted to see this investment in a landmark listed pub in Nelson town centre.”

Hawthorn operations director Mark McGinty said: “Stuart is a popular and well-known figure, just the right person to revive the fortunes of this venue.”