THE new owners of a popular Ellesmere Port pub have revealed when it will reopen to the public.

Earlier this month (January), The Rake in Rake Lane, Little Stanney, shut its doors as a Hungry Horse pub, one of the Greene King brands.

At the time, a Greene King spokesman said: "To continue investing in our estate, from time to time we have to make the difficult decision to sell a pub and therefore after much consideration we decided to put The Rake on the market last year."

But the pub didn't stay on the market for long, as Brunning and Price – which runs a number of pubs in the North West and the South including The Architect and The Old Harkers Arms in Chester, as well as The Red Fox in Thornton Hough – has snapped up the keys to the Grade II listed building.

The Brunning and Price website has revealed 'Rake Hall' will look to reopen in September 2020.

Information on the website revealed the reason behind the delayed reopening, explaining "extensive" refurbishment works are going to be carried out first to improve the venue, including the creation of seven bedrooms for those who want an overnight stay.

It explained: "We are thrilled to have received the keys to Rake Hall in Little Stanney.

"It's a magnificent Grade II listed building which originated as a country house, the home of the Bunbury family, built in the 17th century, and later altered and expanded.

"It sits on Rake Lane just a stones throw (with a good arm) away from the busy Cheshire Oaks shopping 'village', but as it's surrounded by a huge garden you could easily be fooled into thinking you were in the middle of the countryside.

"Our refurbishment works are quite extensive, so sadly we will not be able to reopen until September.

"But, when we do we are sure Rake Hall will make a wonderful B&P pub, with a stunning private dining room upstairs seating 20, a huge new terrace overlooking the lawns and seven bedrooms for those who would like to stay with us overnight."

Brunning and Price has submitted a planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council to obtain permission for the renovation works.

  • For more information, visit www.brunningandprice.co.uk/rakehall or follow Rake Hall on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rakehall.