JW Lees Opens First New Build Pub in Over 16 Years

Family-owned brewery, JW Lees have opened the doors to The Aviator, the latest addition to its Inns & Hotels division.  The new pub has created 50 jobs with 20 full time and 30 part time positions.

William Lees-Jones, Managing Director, JW Lees, said; ‘It feels good to be back opening new pubs again after so long. The Aviator is a fantastic addition for the residents of Woodford and local villages, we know that pubs are vital community hubs, and this is one we are particularly proud of.’

‘We have 25 significant developments planned on our existing estate of 143 pubs this year.  We also have ambitions to grow our estate by acquisition and are actively looking for freehold hotels, inns and pubs in the North West.’

Hugh Smyth, General Manager, The Aviator, said; ‘We can’t wait to open the doors. We’ve had a very warm welcome from the local community and we are looking forward to serving them up a great pub experience.’

The Aviator, located at the entrance of the stunning Redrow housing estate at Woodford Garden Village, is built on the former Woodford Aerodrome, 5 miles south of Stockport.  The architecture of the pub is in keeping with the local area, the interior design is airy and modern but with warm and cosy finishes creating the feeling of a relaxed, rural inn. In fact, there are three real fires to warm-up by.

The bar, at the heart of the pub, is packed with ales and lagers brewed by JW Lees as well as quality spirits and a hand-picked wine collection. The pub is laid out with a choice of eating and drinking spaces with plenty of cosy nooks and corners. The menu features famous JW Lees dishes such as the Brewery Tower Burger and legendary Three Cheese Pie but also a choice of more refined dishes such as lemon baked salmon fillet or braised and glazed shoulder of lamb shank.

The food offer also includes seasonal specials, a great cosy lunch menu to dine from during the day, and a fantastic traditional Sunday pub lunch including a sharing platter for two, and bottomless Yorkshire puddings and gravy.

JW Lees recently unveiled the newly refurbished Stanneylands Hotel in Wilmslow after a ground floor refurbishment of the reception, bar and restaurant as well as exterior landscaping works.  JW Lees purchased the iconic Stanneylands Hotel in 2018 and this was the first of a series of new re-openings as JW Lees completes a trio of large-scale investments projects that were all started during the pandemic.  At the end of March JW Lees will re-open The Red Lion in Withington which the company purchased in February 2020 just as the UK went into lockdown.

(Image –  Hugh Smyth, General Manager The Aviator, Emma McClarkin CEO BBPA, Mrs Joyce Evans (resident of Woodford Garden Village who pulled the first pint), Dr Leonard Evans.