ONE of the oldest pubs in Northwich looks set to be converted into flats.

The Roebuck, on Witton Street, was put up for sale in 2016 and Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) has received a planning application to turn the ancient building into four self-contained flats.

Dating back to around 1700, The Roebuck is the town’s second oldest pub after The Bowling Green, in Leftwich.

Nick Colley, chairman of Northwich and District Heritage Society, said: “The Roebuck was originally part of a row of cottages that were built around 1700. At some point in the mid-1700s two of these cottages were converted into a public house known as The Roebuck.

“The earliest known licensee was John Tomkinson who was there in 1772. This makes it the second oldest pub in present day Northwich, second only to the Bowling Green on London Road.

“In 1886 the cottage on the end was incorporated into the public house and The Roebuck became the building that we see today. The car park to the rear was once the pub’s bowling green.”

He added: “Several pubs in the area have closed over recent years including The Beehive, The Black Greyhound, The Lion and Railway and The Freemasons Arms and while it is sad to see them close it is better to see them converted for an alternative use than be demolished.”

Town and county councillor Sam Naylor has fond memories of the pub.

He said: “I’ve had many a great night in there over the years.

“It’s a shame really but it’s the direction of travel for a lot of pubs these days – people just don’t use them anymore. Years ago, at Christmas a group of us used to get the train from Greenbank to Northwich then we’d make our way through town having half a pint in each pub. That was quite a task in those days – you could do it in about half an hour now!”

He added: “We’ve got some great historic buildings at that end of town and we need to protect them. While it is a shame to see The Roebuck go, if they protect the exterior of the building then at least we’ll get to keep a building of character in the town.”

Do you have fond memories of The Roebuck? Share them with us at northwich@guardiangrp.co.uk or on the Northwich Guardian Facebook page.