Great Harwood: The Victoria pub reopens after month-long closure

The Victoria Hotel, on St John’s Street, closed its doors at the start of January after the former landlady decided to leave.

Now the pub, also know as the Butcher Brig, is back in the hands of the Entwistle family who own the site.

It has been open since Friday, February 10.

Manager, Blain Entwistle said: “It’s a family business that I have always worked in, whether that be as a barman, glass collector, or figure head.

“I will now be running The Victoria for the foreseeable. We are in the process of recruiting more staff.”

Blain Entwistle at The Victoria Hotel in Great Harwood (Image: Blain Entwistle)

Blain says the pub has already received a lot of support for the community since reopening.

He said: “We’ve had a lot of support in the local area since reopening. It has been quite surprising and I didn’t think we’d have the level of support that we’ve received.

“We are so excited to be back open. It’s such an iconic British pub with unique Victorian interiors.

“It’s a shame for the unique building to be shut for any length of time.”

Blain says the team is planning to carry out some renovations and refurbishments in the coming months.

He said: “We’ve already had so much support. Hopefully, the custom will build up and we can reinvest our profits back into the business.

“The outside needs tidying up, including the garden and decking area. We will clean up all of those areas and then reopen them for public use.

“We appreciate everyone who has come to see us. If anyone would like to once again come in and give our beer a chance, that would be much appreciated.”

• READ MORE: Pub's Edwardian interiors recognised by Historic England

In 2022, the pub was recognised by Historic England for its historic and "unusual" interiors.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said the "rare interiors" help to “tell the fascinating story of pubs over the centuries and how they reflected society.”

The pub is an Edwardian pub which dates back to 1905, boasting an intact northern ‘lobby plan’ arrangement.

The lobby, drinking corridor and staircase all have full-height Art Nouveau tiling with flower motifs which transport punters back through the decades.

Five rooms lead off the lobby, mostly with original fittings. Four are named in the door glass – the commercial room, parlour, public kitchen and the bar parlour.

The pub is open from 4pm to 11pm on most days, excluding Friday and Saturday when it is open until midnight.