The Manor House – currently closed, sold by Thwaites to a developer despite offers to buy it as a pub, Otley Pub Club oppose conversion

Where we are

Address:
WalkerGate,
Otley, LS21 1HB
Tel: 01943 969931

Email: Info@themanorhouseotley.com
Website: www.themanorhouseotley.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/themanorhouseotley

Opening Times:

The Manor House, named after the Thomas Constable’s impressive Grade II listed home, is an attractive mid-terrace pub and a proper community local situated opposite the maypole on Manchester Square, Otley. Thomas Constable, the Otley solicitor, saved hundreds of lives by arranging jobs and homes for people who arrived in the town during the Great Famine in Ireland, having fled their homes in Ballina and Kiltimagh in Co. Mayo.
 
The pub has separate areas giving a traditional and cosy feel and in the winter, there is an impressive open fire. In the warmer months, the surprisingly large outdoor terrace at the back is a pleasant place to enjoy the weather, along with a marquee for music and an impressive seated smoking shelter.
 
It has a reputation for folk music (with a slant towards Irish music, due to the current tenants David and Eileen and family). There are popular trad sessions and open mic evenings and it has long been the post concerts venue of choice for musicians on the annual Otley Folk Festival weekend.
 
The Manor has a historic late 1am licence meaning that many people, often including other pub and hospitality staff, gather there at weekends.
 
At the moment The Manor is a Thwaites tied house, but Thwaites have decided to sell it, so the hope is that is bought by a good operator – individual, small pub company or small brewery – to take it on
and continue to serve the community as Otley’s most easterly pub and a favourite with many.
 
May 2024 – Thwaites have ignored very reasonable offers from a local brewery and have sold the pub for residential development.

In better times….

The Manor House History

The Manor House is shown on an 1851 map of Otley. In 1857 it was occupied by John Clarke who was a confectioner. It was first licensed in 1860/70’s and the first Inn Keeper, who also owned the property, was Henry Pullan.

In 1911 the Pub was only at number 7 Cross Green but took over the adjoining property number 9 at a later date.

In March 1931, it was announced in the local press that Mr. Fred Paley, landlord of The Manor House Inn for over 20 years, had died. The inn was the last survivor of the days when public houses were owned by private individuals and was the only “free house” in the town. In 1941 it was taken over by The Tower Brewery which became Hammond’s United Brewery.

Later it was bought by Daniel Thwaites of Blackburn and added to their estate of tenanted pubs and for some years the Manor was the only Otley pub tied to a brewery (as opposed to many of the pubs being tied to the large standalone non-brewing pubcos). Thwaites ownership has continued until 2022 when Thwaites (now just a pub-owning company) decided to sell the Manor.

The Manor House is a Grade II listed building. Described as:
Late C18 or early Cl9. Two storeys in stone with stone slate roof with
stone stacks. Four windows, stone architraves, and two to No 9 with hung
sashes with glazing bass. Three windows on ground floor, one to No 9,
hung sashes with glazing bars. Door of four panels to No 9 in stone architrave
with rectangular fanlight. Similar doorway and door of six panels to
No 7. Kneeler to right
Full listing here: https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101200189-no-7-manor-house-public-house-and-no-9-otley

Comments (4) on “The Manor House – currently closed, sold by Thwaites to a developer despite offers to buy it as a pub, Otley Pub Club oppose conversion”

  1. The Manor house pub whose owners were Fred Paley in the 1920 were my Grandparents it was never the same to me after my Grandparents sold it I remember a lot of happy times there when I was little.

  2. Hi Joan, Thanks for the message. It will be really sad to see the Manor go. That’s why we, at the Pub Club are trying tirelessly to find a buyer.
    Interesting to hear your grandparents once owned the pub. Have you seen our History page? If you go the Manor’s web page on our site http://www.otleypubclub.co.uk/otley-pubs-present/the-manor-house and scroll down, you’ll see a short history of the Manor. If you have any further info or recollections, we’d be delighted to add them.
    Regards
    Eddie
    Otley Pub Club

  3. Hi from Canada.
    Was the Manor House saved!?
    I, like Joan Williams have a conection with the Manor House. Fed Paley was my great grandad.
    I hope the pub is a pub when I can visit!

  4. Hi Ross
    Thanks for your email.
    We are still desperately fighting to keep the Manor as a pub. As you will know, owners Thwaites Brewery have closed and put the pub up for sale. Otley Pub Club had an ACV restriction on the sale for anything other than a pub. Unfortunately, that 3 month moratorium has expired, but it did give people the chance to weigh up whether or not to bid.
    I’m glad to tell you a Community Group has been established in Otley and is putting a bid together. And, we are reliably informed that there have been a number of queries from interested parties who want to re-open this wonderful pub. So it’s everything crossed over here.

    You can keep up with progress by following the Community Group and of course, Otley Pub Club on Social Media:

    https://www.facebook.com/otleypubclub
    Twitter: @OtleyPubClub
    https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheManor
    Twitter: @otleycommpub

    Cheers
    Eddie
    Otley Pub Club

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.