This Victorian pub was refitted in the 1920s and remains largely intact since then, with a host of original fittings and evidence of ownership by the old Bell’s Brewery still evident in the interior glasswork. There really is a room for everyone in this pub - there is a bright, brassy lounge, drinking lobby, complete with its own bar counter, a darts room at the back and an excellent traditional vault, arguably one of the best in town. The sense of tradition is heightened by the frequent sight of a cask of the powerful Old Tom on the bar counter. The lounge walls feature memorabilia of the Cheshire Regiment. Convenient for Edgeley Park football ground with bar food often available when Stockport County are at home (and pub will open 30 mins earlier too). Outside at the back is a good, secluded beer garden, which can be quite a suntrap in the summer months. The Armoury has a more mature clientele, with a strong community involvement, and friendly and knowledgeable staff. Darts are very much a feature here; nine teams play here often with two leagues playing the same night. A Social Club organises outings, party nights, artist nights and a Christmas outing for the pensioners amongst the events. The upstairs room sometimes hosts live music sessions. The commitment to quality shines through in every aspect of the operation here. Its success gives the lie to those pub pundits who say this type of pub has no future. Stockport CAMRA branch Pub of the Year runner-up in 2007.
### As of August 2024 - home football fans ONLY on Stockport County match days please ###
Historic Interest
Acquired by Frederic Robinson with the purchase of the Hempshaw Brook Brewery of Bell & Co, in June 1949.
19th-century building which lost its external 1920s tiling in the 1990s due to water damage. It was remodelled internally by Bell & Co in the 1920s and retains much of its original plan form and fittings. The off-sales has been incorporated into lounge but does retain the old off sales hatch in situ. The lounge on the front right retains its door with a central glazed panel 'Lounge' and some bell symbols. The bar counter is from the 1920s with a series of scrolls along the top but the bar back fitting is modern. The fixed seating dates from the 1920s, the copper fireplace appears to date from the 1960s which could be the date of the timber-effect panels on the walls.
On the left the vault was two small rooms - vault and bar - knocked into one in 2003. The front left room has a 'Vault' glazed panel in the front door, a dado of fielded panelling from the 1920s now painted cream, a bar counter which looks like the 1920s one with a series of scrolls running along the top but a modern bar counter top, The fixed seating is from the 1920s but the draught screen at the rear of the room looks modern and the room has lost its fireplace. The corner door was blocked up in the 1920s. Note the rare door glass wording of 'Hall' in the rear door, 1920s fielded panelling on the open staircase and also 'Gents' and 'Ladies' in the doors but both toilets are modernised. At the rear left a doorway leads to a very small room with 1920s fixed seating all around and a modern fireplace. It had a sensitive refurbishment in the 2000s.
19th-century building which lost its external 1920s tiling in the 1990s due to water damage. It was remodelled internally by Bell & Co in the 1920s and retains much of its original plan form and fittings. The off-sales has been incorporated into lounge but does retain the old off sales hatch in situ. The lounge on the front right retains its door with a central glazed panel 'Lounge' and some bell symbols. The bar counter is from the 1920s with a series of scrolls along the top but the bar back fitting is modern. The fixed seating dates from the 1920s, the copper fireplace appears to date from the 1960s which could be the date of the timber-effect panels on the walls.
On the left the vault was two small rooms - vault and bar - knocked into one in 2003. The front left room has a 'Vault' glazed panel in the front door, a dado of fielded panelling from the 1920s now painted cream, a bar counter which looks like the 1920s one with a series of scrolls running along the top but a modern bar counter top, The fixed seating is from the 1920s but the draught screen at the rear of the room looks modern and the room has lost its fireplace. The corner door was blocked up in the 1920s. Note the rare door glass wording of 'Hall' in the rear door, 1920s fielded panelling on the open staircase and also 'Gents' and 'Ladies' in the doors but both toilets are modernised. At the rear left a doorway leads to a very small room with 1920s fixed seating all around and a modern fireplace. It had a sensitive refurbishment in the 2000s.
This Pub serves no changing beers and 2 regular beers.
Armoury, Stockport