A city centre bar which dates back to the 19th century is set to reopen its doors this month.
The iconic Sam's Chop House on Back Pool Fold has been a popular watering hole for Mancunians since 1868.
It was artist LS Lowry's favourite pub and there's a bronze statue of the legendary Manchester figure at the bar.
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The coronavirus pandemic and questions over Cavendish House, the four-storey Grade II listed building where the Chop House is based,. had thrown its future into doubt.
But owners, the Ward family, have announced the famous boozer will be reopening its doors and serving drinks once again in the next few weeks.
Roger Ward said on their website: "Good news. I am delighted to announce that the famous Sam’s Chop House will be re-opening in February.
"Hopefully in less than two weeks. And certainly in time for Valentine’s Day.
"That’s right, the home of the Corned Beef Hash is almost back now our landlord’s structural works are complete."
He promised the revamped pub will offer classic British food with produce from local suppliers, local cask ales, wine tasting events, and the 'same independent local owners'.
He added: "Better than that, I am personally delighted to tell you that the wonderful George Bergier will be back two days a week – hosting lunchtime service on Thursdays and Fridays.
"At the age of 75. George has been serving Manchester’s top tables and top people for 54 years now.
"The team will be led by general manager Sam Hernandez and Head Chef Scott Munro supported by some familiar faces.
"I am proud to say that this will be the second time I have personally re-opened Sam’s. Once in 2001, four years after its only ever corporate owners closed the doors.
"And now our family business will be joining the movement to rebuild Manchester city centre and to build back better than we were before.
"When Samuel Studd opened his doors for the first time in 1868 there were 13 chop houses in the city.
"More than 150 years later his business has seen two world wars, the Great Depression of the 1930s and two global pandemics. Only two of the original chop houses are still standing.
"And they are still independent.
"Thank you so much for your support and encouragement these last two years."
The future of this pub depended on the refurbishment of the Grade-II listed Cavendish House, which was approved in October 2020.
By giving property investors Inverstream permission to fix up and extend the building, councillors were told that Sam’s Chop House would be kept on as a tenant and would receive a makeover.
And more than 16 months after this was approved, the pub is ready to reopen again.
Another city centre Chop House, Albert Square Chop House, closed in the summer last year which leaves Sam's Chop House and Mr Thomas's Chop House on nearby Cross Street as the last two remaining Samuel Studd pubs operating.
