The General Elliot 1886 - 1911

Rushton's Annual Picnic to the General Elliot. Image courtesy of Wigan and Leigh Archives.

The above image has an estimated date of between 1880 and 1890. I came across the below newspaper article describing the re-building of the hotel in 1886, therefore it must have been after that date.

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Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser
Friday 21st May 1886

​The formal opening of the spacious and well appointed bowling green attached to the General Elliot Hotel, which took place last Saturday afternoon, marks an era in the history of the ancient village of Croft.

The old General Elliot Inn has been almost entirely pulled down, and a commodious and well arranged hotel, with all the latest improvements and appliances has taken its place.

No one would certainly be able to recognise the old building in the handsome structure which now occupies its place. At the front there is a pretty porch, set off with pitch pine rails. The entrance door is ornamented with small squares of cathedral stained glass, as also are many of the windows. The bar is conveniently fitted up with ornamental slide windows facing the lobby, and behind the bar is the parlour, beautifully furnished.

All the rooms indeed are being elaborately fitted up; and apparently regardless of expense. On the opposite side of the lobby is a general room, fitted round, as is also the room to the back, behind the bar parlour, with the latest style of spring-cushioned seats of a remarkably comfortable character.

The other portions of the house can be kept private from the rest when necessary, and these include a semi-private room or office, spacious kitchen and scullery, offices, and upstairs a large room for parties of all kinds (where a wedding party from Leigh was feasting last Saturday), and numerous bedrooms, lavatories, &c.

​There are altogether twenty-one rooms in the house, and all are finished in polished pitch pine, but the decoration of the rooms is not yet completed.

Attached to the house is an excellent enclosed coach yard, with admirable stabling for twelve horses. Immediately adjoining is the spacious bowling green which was formally opened on Saturday last. It measures about 48 yards square, and is carefully tended so as to keep it in good condition. Round the green 400 rose trees have been planted, and seats provided, and a suitable bar erected close to the entrance.

From the various windows of the hotel some fine views of the surrounding district are obtained, including the Overton hills in Cheshire, parts of Warrington, the outlying portions of Newton and Ashton, &c.

Although the hotel has been rebuilt and modelled on an elaborate scale, the house still retains its homely character, and parties who wish to spend an enjoyable afternoon in the country can scarcely find a better or more attractive and comfortable place than the General Elliot Inn.

​The enterprising proprietor, Mr. Reginald Owen Jun. also allows visitors the pleasure of a walk through the extensive orchard which is close at hand, and which measures no less than about twelve acres in extent.

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If you have already read The Story of Enoch Sankey, you will know that he started having money problems which lead to his bankruptcy in 1912. It seems that he sold the General Elliot in 1894.

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Leigh Chronicle and Weekly District Advertiser
Friday 28th September 1894

SALE OF THE GENERAL ELLIOT -
​We understand that the General Elliot Hotel, Croft, has been sold privately by the owner, Mr. E. W. Sankey, for over £6000 to a Burton-on-Trent Brewery Co.

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Finally, by 1911, it was back in more local ownership.

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Widnes Examiner
Saturday 6th May 1911

​GENERAL ELLIOT HOTEL
CROFT

THIS WELL KNOWN COUNTRY RESORT HAS
NOW BEEN ACQUIRED BY
GEO SHAW AND CO., LIMITED
OF LEIGH BREWERY, LEIGH.

Who have made Extensive Alterations for the
Convenience of Visitors.
LARGE AND SMALL PICNIC AND PLEASURE
PARTIES can be comfortably accommodated in
SUITABLE DINING ROOMS.

​LUNCHEONS, DINNERS AND TEAS
Served at the Shortest Notice and on Reasonable Terms.
A SPACIOUS AND WELL KEPT BOWLING GREEN
IS ATTACHED TO THE HOUSE.
SMART BILLIARD ROOM WITH EXCELLENT
TABLE.
First Class ALES, STOUTS, WINES & SPIRITS
Cigars and Cigarettes of Well-known Brands.

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