Incredible painting hidden for decades under wallpaper helped solve mystery surrounding lost Manchester pub
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA fascinating painting hidden under wallpaper for over 40-years helped solve a mystery surrounding Ancoats' oldest pub. The Smith's Arms on Sherratt Street had stood for nearly 250-years before it was bulldozed in 2016.
The oldest pub in Ancoats, it had been abandoned for some time before being demolished to make way for a housing development.
Campaigners who had fought to save the 18th century pub said they were "devastated" by its loss. When it was built in 1775, it was first used as a three-storey residence, being surrounded by factories and mills during the industrial boom of the 19th century. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. It first became a pub in 1827 and was previously known as The Blacksmiths Arms.
It was also known affectionately as The Hammer by locals. It underwent another name change, becoming the Hammer in Hand, when it was a Taylor’s Eagle house.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk