A much-needed refurbishment has begun on a Macclesfield country pub, with over 400 years of heritage.

Plans have just been approved to revamp and expand The Hanging Gate Inn on Sutton's Wincle Lane.

The Hanging Gate is perfectly poised between the Gritstone Trail and Macclesfield Forest, and is right on the border of the Peak District.

The pub - which reopened 12 months ago with just an outside bar while works began - boasts amazing views of Macclesfield, Manchester and the Welsh Mountains.

The Hanging Gate's renovation has begun! Do you have memories of the Macclesfield inn?

Cheshire East Council have just given the go-ahead for the proposed refurbishment and extension of the existing public house, along with the construction of new guest accommodation in place of existing outbuildings.

The guest accommodation will support the pub over in the winter months, when there are less walkers and the country lanes are more off-putting to drive up making the business more viable.

First-time publicans Hilary Spokes and James Schofield are delighted to start their passion project, after buying the pub during the first lockdown.

"We spent many a happy hour at the other side of the bar here, and when the opportunity arose we decided to pack our jobs in, sell our house and buy the pub," said Hilary.

How the pub hopes to look once the refurbishment is complete. There is no time window, as the couple are doing most of the work themselves.

"We want it to be a proper old rural boozer, serving good quality and locally sourced pub grub.

"As a free house we're lucky to have several brewers in the region, so customers can enjoy their pick of local ale."

The bar has been altered from its original position to create a larger seating area, and the pub will be expanded 12 x 10 feet towards the rear of the entrance.

This will create a new kitchen and allow the toilets to be relocating inside. Where the toilets used to be is where the accommodation, comprising of four double guest rooms, will be now.

With unrivalled views and just a 13 minute drive from Macclesfield town centre, The Hanging Gate is already a hidden gem of our town, and will become even more idyllic once the renovation is complete.

A disabled access entrance will also be created. Customers who remember the pub under the days of former infamous landlord Tommy Steele, will be pleased to know most of the layout will remain the same.

"We're carrying out the works as sympathetically as possible in tune with the building," said James.

"So anything we are putting into this place is reclaimed materials. We're also using traditional mortar, and have old church pews for seating. An old building like this deserves some proper TLC on it."

The watering hole took their name from a legend which described criminals of Macclesfield being hung. And has been known as a pub since the 1600s.

"We recognise that this place has got so much character, it would be sacrilege to lose it.

"We're using locally sourced reclaimed materials, traditional lime mortar, and have old church pews for seating. An old building like this deserves some proper TLC."

The renovation work is being done solely by the multi-tasking Macclesfield couple. While Hilary has learned on the job, it helps that James used to work in construction.

James and Hilary lived in Langley until they moved into the pub and started their dream project in April 2020.

Hilary and James bought the pub two years ago in lockdown, and are delicately revamping the interior to secure the businesses' future.

The Hanging Gate closed on New Year's Eve 2017, just over three years before the plucky pair took it on and came up with their ambitious plans.

The pub boasts three fireplaces, three rooms and a cellar, has stone flag floors, low beamed ceilings and open fires.

There were even rumours hundreds of years ago that criminals found guilty of poaching at The Castle Inn in the centre of Macclesfield, and sentenced to hanging, would be sent to The Hanging Gate's cellar to await their fate.

You can support the pub's refurb by visiting The Hanging Gate's outdoor bar this spring, with extended opening hours to come in the summer.

It is known as the second highest pub in Cheshire. A title they hope attracts tourists from all over the country, once their indoor rejuvenation is complete.

Hilary and James have also restored a public footpath which runs through the pub's two acre grounds, which became overgrown.

The dedicated couple plan to preserve historic parts of the pub, such as the 'Blue Room', and have added a gas light which was made in Victorian-era Macclesfield.

"We're thrilled the plans have been approved and are excited for the potential this place will have in the future, and that other people can share what a great thing we've got," added James.

"My favourite thing about this project is the lovely people we've met along the way, and we've only just begun," commented ex-marketing and PR worker Hilary.

"We'd like to thank everyone for their support so far. We've been overwhelmed.

"It could all too easily have been turned into a house here - or even worse - into rack and ruin. We like to say we have given the place a stay of execution.

"So many people want this place to succeed and it is nice to see that," concluded James.

"We've even had people offer their help with the refurb. We think the support is huge, because people realise the potential of what could've been lost.

The pub will be partially open inside in a couple of weeks but while there is no confirmed timeframe for the completion of the remaining refurbishment, they hope to get the kitchen up and ready first, to help fund the rest of the renovation.

The Hanging Gate is located on Wincle Lane, Sutton, SK11 0NG.

You can support this ancient pub by visiting the outside bar and discover more about pop up street food events and opening hours.

As well as Macclesfield area beers on tap, they sell premium wines, ciders, soft drinks, and non-alcoholic beers.

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