Abel Heywood

Image: © Gerald England Taken: 3 Oct 2015

According to Pubs of Manchester http://pubs-of-manchester.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/red-lion-red-lion-street.html The Red Lion stood here from the early 19th century until the early to mid 20th century. It seems probable that the pub occupied only that part on the corner of Red Lion Street and Catlow Lane. The section to the right was once a gallery, where it exhibited sets from the BBC series, Cutting It. Catlow Lane was originally Church Lane. After being used as a clothing warehouse for some years it was semi-derelict for a number years until the whole building was converted by Hydes Brewery into the Abel Heywood as a pub, restaurant and boutique hotel http://www.abelheywood.co.uk/ which opened in December 2014. It is named after Abel Heywood (1810 – 1893) who set up a penny reading room in 1831 and had a bookselling business in Oldham Street. An active Chartist, his business published much of the reading material of the town's movement, including the Northern Star. In 1841, he was elected treasurer of the National Charter Association, as well as sitting on the executive committee. At the same time he campaigned actively for the incorporation of the city and, once this was achieved, was elected to the council in 1843. Heywood served as alderman in 1853 and in 1859 stood unsuccessfully as a Radical Liberal candidate for Manchester. His first term as Mayor was in 1862–1863, during the cotton famine. He became Mayor again in 1876–1877. A major achievement was his role in guiding Manchester Town Hall to its completion; the clock bell of the Town Hall, "Great Abel", is named after him. His son, also named Abel continued the business after his death and the gable end on Catlow Lane carries the words "Abel Heywood & Son". Image See also David Dixon's photograph Image taken two days later from a more elevated vantage point.

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