The Healey is a traditional public house situated in the suburbs of Rochdale, close to Healey Dell nature reserve.
In September 2013 The Healey closed its doors in order to undertake a complete refurbishment, which was implemented to retain the character of the pub, whilst at the same time modernise it for future use.
Following the magnificent makeover, which has seen the pub reworked and extended into the cottage next door, The Healey re-opened just in time for the busy festive period, complete with new facilities and a new look. Keen to find out more about the recent refurbishment, Premier Hospitality caught up with Simon and Heidi Crompton, the husband and wife team behind the pumps, to discover what’s new at The Healey.
Heidi said:
“We have been at The Healey for four and a half years and over the course of time we have seen a change in trends within the industry. So we knew that moving forward we wanted people to visit The Healey because it is a destination pub, just like The Baum, our other pub in Rochdale.
“The Healey was already a great pub with some great customers, but it just wasn’t maintaining enough clientele to cater for functions. One of the reasons why we undertook the refurbishment and why we knocked through the wall into the cottage next door was so we had space to cater for functions.
“The refurbishment has already proved to be a good move as we have large parties booked for Christmas, which is something which we would never have been able to accommodate in the past.”
The front room, known as the Train Room, includes lots of train memorabilia and information about the Healey Dell and has been a popular section of The Healey for years. Whilst the Train Room has benefitted from the recent works, Simon and Heidi were keen to keep this area of the pub looking similar to how it was before the work started, albeit with a few tweaks to modernise it.
Heidi commented:
“Space for our regulars has remained pretty much intact. We have given our regulars the same amount of space, the same tables, and we have even kept the wood panelling on the walls the same. We then repositioned the television so that our regulars have a much better view. We have kept as many of the original features as possible.”
During the works, walls were removed to open up areas of the pub, creating more functionality within the space. Both the existing ladies and gents toilets were transformed, whilst a disabled toilet and baby changing facilities were introduced.
An external area of The Healey was also reworked to create a heated terrace with a ramp for disabled access. The non-smoking, decked area is to the left of The Healey and helps to keep any noise away from the neighbours.
The terrace has a Georgian glass roof and provides The Healey with an extra seated/dining area. A smoking area remains to the rear of the building.
The project was the first refurbishment that Heidi and Simon have been involved with at The Healey, however, it is not the first time the pub has been tweaked and reworked. Due to a few refurbishment works that have taken place in the past the recent transformation experienced a few delays, but nothing which could stop The Healey reopening as planned.
Heidi explained:
“Over the last 20-30 years extra bits and pieces have been added on to the pub and this caused a few complications during this refurbishment. We also needed a new roof in the cottage and this resulted in some delays.”
Simon added:
“The complications were unforeseen but we carried on regardless. The cottage was not tied into the building, so when the walls came down the team had to more or less start again with certain areas.”
Manchester & Cheshire Construction was the main contractor on the project and the refurbishment of The Healey marked a significant milestone in the continued operation of the pub, as explained by Simon.
“At the end of the day, if we hadn’t undertaken the refurbishment we wouldn’t be here. The Healey had a lot of character, but it wasn’t lending itself to dining, and we know that dining and cask ale is what it needed. The Healey is a big pub, with a lot of character and it brings in people from all over the place and that’s what we wanted to focus on.”
For more information about The Healey, please visit: www.healeyrochdale.robinsonsbrewery.com/our-pub.
Ferndale Joinery Ltd
Founded in 1993, Ferndale Joinery Ltd specialise in manufactured joinery for use in the commercial sector. As a flexible company Ferndale Joinery Ltd can turn its hand to any project, but predominately provides joinery for pubs and restaurant fit-out schemes.
Ferndale Joinery Ltd Company Director, Richard Hardman, said:
“Anything that is made from timber we are capable of turning our hand to, from bars, counters and back fittings, to door frames and windows. We are able to do everything and we tend to have a couple of pub projects on the go at any one time.”
With two decades of experience in the industry Ferndale Joinery Ltd has worked with many high profile clients including Marriott Hotels, De Vere Village Hotels, JD Wetherspoon and leading brewery chains, Marston’s, Joseph Holt and JW Lees. Most recently Ferndale Joinery Ltd has worked on the refurbishment of The Healey in Rochdale.
Working on The Healey, Ferndale Joinery Ltd provided manufactured joinery, including the bar, toilet cubicles, panelling and doors, amongst others.
Richard said:
“The Healey was a sympathetic refurbishment, which kept a lot of the original features intact.”
Richard added:
“We have a great relationship with clients in the Manchester and Cheshire area and whatever our client wants we look to help them out in the best way possible.”
Inn-fresco
Inn-fresco specialise in the provision of outdoor solutions and outdoor areas for the leisure industry, with a focus on the pub, bar and restaurant trade. The work encompasses all aspects of outdoor installations, from awnings and parasols through to fixed roof structures, glass screens, heating, lighting and outdoor TV screens.
Inn-fresco has been in operation since 2006, joining sister operation Omega Signs which has been operating for more than twenty years. Inn-fresco sources quality products from Italy and Germany, which perfectly accompany its full installation, design and consultation service.
Inn-fresco Managing Director, Duncan Chapman, said:
“At Inn-fresco we provide a full, end-to-end service. We speak to our clients, we assess the area and the site’s potential and then we work out what the client’s end goal is. We then take clients through a 3D visualisation so that they can see exactly what their external area is going to look like once work is complete. We have a wide range of quality products available teamed with skilled installation crews and after sales care – so it really is a full service.”
Working on The Healey, Inn-fresco provided the refurbished public house with a 6 meter x 6 meter Delph roof, which comprised of a mix of wrought iron and glazing.
Duncan commented:
“It needed something a bit more traditional that would be in-keeping with the existing building. For that reason the Delph was selected as the correct product and then we worked alongside the other contractors, who installed decking and furniture, to transform it into a great outdoor area.”
E.R. Williams (Painting Contractors) Ltd
Established in 1970, E.R. Williams (Painting Contractors) Ltd is a family-run business which specialises in high quality painting and decorating within the commercial sector. Today the company is managed by the second and third generation of the Williams family, who oversee a workforce of 40 directly employed operatives.
E.R. Williams is able to expedite large contracts to demanding deadlines and has a client base which includes large retailers such as Asda and Morrisons, in addition to commercial clients, local authorities, social housing providers and numerous universities and schools. Some of the most prestigious contracts E.R. Williams has worked on include: Manchester and Southport Genting Casinos, Whitworth Art Gallery, the Manchester Arndale Extension and The Midland Hotel.
Working on The Healey, E.R. Williams carried out the complete external and internal redecoration of the pub, including hanging specialist wall coverings. The work was carried out as part of the major refurbishment of the building and in conjunction with several other trades, completing work to a tight deadline in order for the pub to reopen to the public.
E.R. Williams’ Director, Bill Williams, said:
“The project was important for us as Frederic Robinson is a highly valued client and all their projects are completed to a first class standard. It was a pleasure to be involved in the refurbishment of this popular local establishment.”
Bill added:
“Our company prides itself in its high quality of work, customer satisfaction and excellent client retention and we have recently achieved Investors in People accreditation. All our employees are CSCS card holders and we employ up to three young apprentices each year. We are CHAS, Safe Contractor and Considerate Constructors Scheme registered and are a Dulux Trade Contract Partner.”
