GoogleA derelict pub needs urgent repair work to pave the way for a possible restoration of the “unique” building, its owners have been told.
The Crescent in Salford dates back to the 19th century and is a Grade II-listed structure, but has fallen into disrepair since its closure in 2017.
According to local legend, political thinkers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are thought to have been among its more illustrious visitors in years gone by.
Salford City Council said the building was “of cultural importance to the city” and has served an Urgent Works Notice to its owners, declaring it requires immediate action to protect it for the future.
Councillor Hannah Robinson-Smith, lead member for culture and heritage, said: “The Crescent pub holds a unique place in our city’s history, and we cannot allow it to fall further into disrepair.
“The urgent works will help stabilise the internal structure and prevent further damage while longer-term restoration plans are explored.
“We will seek full recovery of the costs incurred from the owner.”
‘Decisive action’
The notice seeks to protect the building from further decay and sets out the “urgent repairs considered necessary for this purpose”.
Salford Council said it had been working with the owners directly to secure the repairs but said this had so far “not resulted in any decisive action”.
It therefore had to take action “to ensure the asset is not lost”.
Historic England’s Catherine Dewar said it fully supported the council’s “decisive action to safeguard The Crescent pub”.
She said the building was “in an extremely poor condition and is important not only for its architecture but also for its remarkable place in social and political history”.
The organisation said the pub “had a purported, if unproven, historic association” with Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, the founders of Marxism and communism.
It added this was part of the reason it had been identified within the Salford Local Plan as illustrating Salford’s “proud history of social achievement”.
