The Cherry Tree in Culcheth is closing its doors for a short spell while it gets what the pub is calling a proper glam up
. The Common Lane favourite will shut from January 25 and is expected to reopen on February 13, assuming the paint dries, the signs behave, and nobody discovers a mysterious Victorian pipe behind the bar.
The pub has warned customers that stock levels may be a bit thin while they run things down before the refurbishment. Sensible, really. Nobody wants unnecessary waste, though anyone hoping for their usual tipple in the final days may need to show the emotional resilience normally reserved for a cancelled train at Birchwood.
In a post on social media, The Cherry Tree said: We ask that you please bear with us on stock levels as we are running stock down, so we have as minimal waste as possible.
They added: We'd also just like to thank all of our guests for their continued support over the years and can't wait to welcome you all back to The Cherry Tree with our brand-new look.
The refurbishment follows planning approval last month for external alterations at the venue. Sizzling Pubs, the applicant, sought permission for a new illuminated totem sign at the site, along with seven new fascia signs around the outside of the pub.
The proposal describes the venue as a traditional pub with a bit of added sizzle
, which is exactly the sort of phrase that sounds like it was born in a marketing meeting with too much coffee and not enough daylight. Still, if it means the place looks smarter and keeps pulling people into Culcheth rather than watching them drift off elsewhere, then fair enough.
There is plenty to be positive about here. A well-used village pub investing in itself is not something to sniff at, especially when so many hospitality businesses are having a grim old time. The Cherry Tree is part of the local furniture, and a refresh could give it a welcome lift.
That said, seven fascia signs and an illuminated totem sign do raise the obvious question: are we refurbishing a pub or preparing for aircraft landing instructions? Culcheth has charm because it is a village, not a retail park auditioning for a motorway services cameo.
Still, a temporary closure of around 18 days is hardly the end of civilisation. If the result is a tidier, brighter Cherry Tree with the same village pub feel intact, most locals will probably take it. Just don't sizzle the soul out of it.