It was six years ago that it closed. During that time the fabric of the Grade II listed building has detoriated badly. The fading green facade is graffiti covered, the roof badly damaged, and windows boarded up.
But, finally, a new manifesto for a pub where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are believed to have drunk is beginning to take shape. The pair are thought to have supped there together as they formulated the ideas of communism in the 19th century.
Now scaffolding has been erected in the last week around the The Crescent pub on the A6 in Salford in preparation for it to roar back as The Red Dragon - its original name.
The landmark closed in 2017 and is in a poor state. There were fears it would go the same way as the nearby Black Horse Hotel and be demolished to make way for apartments.
But its Chinese owners who revealed plans to restore the pub in 2021, give it back its original name, and construct a new building at the rear of the premises, are slowly making progress. They also intend to make the most of its reputation as a footnote in the rise of communism.
A spokesman for the owners said: "We have been in discussion with Salford council for a while. We are now getting close to submitting a formal planning application. We have a further meeting with them in two weeks time
"In the meantime we are to carry out essential repairs on the building, which do not need listed building consent, so it is watertight, including a new roof. The scaffolding will be up for 18 months. The intention is to return to pub to a traditional style - it had become a 1990s-style student pub.
"The pub will be filled with memorablia linked to Marx and Engels who are thought to have used it, and the history of Salford. There will be no new-build extensions to the pub - it will be a refurbishment of the existing building, and we aim to retain some exsiting features. We are pleased to be able to say that real progress is being made."
He said the owners had been working with the council on pre-application advice regarding the pub plans and the construction of apartments on cleared land at the rear of the pub, the sale of which will help finance the conversion of the pub.
He added: "There is a possibility that the new building could be an apart hotel and we have held talks with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Salford. If a lecturer, for example required accommodation for a short period, they might use it. "
The owners aim to bring live music back to the venue which was once a favourite haunt of undergraduates and life-long students of real ale, getting regular mentions in good beer guides.
The pub stands on the A6 corridor - the location for part of a masterplan to create a new ‘city’ district on 244 acres. The revamp of The Crescent is one part of what is billed as a £800m ‘investment opportunity’.
The spokesman for the owners said: "We believe our plans will fit with the council's masterplan. We are now down to fine details in discussions - like the type of brick to be used on the new building."
The pub was sold in 2016 to Chinese investors for £325,000.
In 2021 a spokesman for the owners said: "Although initial suggestions were for a Chinese Cultural Centre which would have been open to the general public, the owner has decided to create a traditional pub, with a lot old features restored to inherit the local rich culture and history. This will include serving traditional ales.
"The traditional bars and traditional beer enliven and enrich the life of local people, and promote exchanges and economic activities, especially for the students of Salford University. The pub would be at the heart of the local community and would provide a bar and food offer. It is intended to return the pub’s use as a venue for local bands as a platform for local musicians as well.
"On the upper floors will be meeting rooms providing conference facilities which will be used as a base for the development of links between Salford University and China building upon existing relationships."
The pub was created from three early 19th century buildings - 18-21 The Crescent and 1 Massey Street, which were built for merchants. Veteran Salford Councillor, John Warmisham, who was a regular before its closure, said: "It is good to see some work is being done and I hope things can be speeded up. The Crescent was a much-loved pub in Salford and I hope these plans can come to fruition.
"It would be good to see it provide a venue for music too - such places are few and far between in Salford. The pub used to put on live music in a back room."
Councillor Mike McCusker, lead member for planning and sustainable regeneration said: “We very much want to see The Crescent brought back to life and discussions with the owners are continuing. No planning application has been made as yet so no planning permission has been granted for development. We understand the owners have put up scaffolding for repair work, to secure the property against further vandalism and to keep it water-tight.”
