About Us

Here is just a little info to let you get to know us better...

History

Here is a little potted history of our pub and the local area... if you have a spare minute or two and maybe a cup of tea (or is that a G&T), we think it's well worth a read.

Roman Castlefield

To begin at the beginning, Castlefield was the site of the Roman era fort of Mamucium, established in AD 79, which guarded the Roman road that ran from Deva Victrix (Chester) to Eboracum (York). Interestingly, Mamucium means 'a hill shaped like a breast', which presumably made it easy to defend.

The fort would have been garrisoned by a cohort of about 500 troops. Originally constructed in turf and timber, it was expanded and re-inforced with stone around 200 AD, when about 1,000 men would have been stationed here. It was occupied by the Romans until AD 410 when the Romans finally left Britain to defend Rome against the Barbarians.

A Roman altar unearthed in Castlefield
(with thanks to the Greater Manchester
Archaeological Unit)

Little visible evidence survives of the Roman fort, but after extensive archaeological investigation by the Greater Manchester archaeological unit, part of the fort and the North Gate were re-constructed in 1987 together with several other noteworthy features.

The reconstructed north
gate to the fort

Castlefield and the beginning of the industrial revolution

Castlefield is a conservation area as a result of its rich industrial history: it was the terminus of the Bridgewater Canal, the world's first industrial canal built in 1764, with the oldest canal warehouse being built here in 1779.

A map of Bridgewater's canal
(with thanks to www.canalarchive.org.uk)

Some believe the building of the Bridgewater Canal marked the beginning of the industrial revolution. It was constructed to bring the Duke of Bridgewater's coal from his mine at Worsley, enabling large quantities of coal to be transported to fuel the burgeoning industries of Manchester, and enabling goods to be transported efficiently to rapidly expanding towns and cities of the north.

The Duke of Bridgewater

The project nearly bankrupted the Duke, and he had to borrow to pay his workmen. In 1765 he obtained a loan of £25,000 from Child's bank, but this was only the beginning by today's values he was eventually some £2 million or more in personal debt, but the eventual huge success of the venture ensured his fortunes were restored in the later years of his life: his annual income was said to exceed £80,000 a year in the money of the day, and he became the richest noble in England.

Manchester's cotton mills in 1820,
the height of the industrial revolution

Castlefield was designated as a Conservation Area in 1980 and the United Kingdom's first designated Urban Heritage Park in 1982 as part of the drive to regenerate the area.

The building

The Wharf is actually a modern building, built in 1998, but a map of the site from 1889 apparently shows two travelling cranes running on 25 foot high gantries. The wharf was open to the skies to enable the stacking of goods beside the canal.

In the aerial photograph below, which comes from Manchester history website "Our Manchester" (http://manchesterhistory.net/manchester/tours/tour1/area1page63.html) the site of the Wharf has been marked with a red dot. The photograph was taken in 1953, and on the site at that time were two large Nissan-hut like commercial buildings.

An aerial view of the site
of the Wharf in 1952

The buildings were still there when this photograph was taken in 1972:

The site of the Wharf in 1972 (with
thanks to http://images.manchester.gov.uk)

Planning battles

The building is actually a purpose-built pub which opened in 1998, when it was named Jackson's Wharf, but reviews were generally not favourable and it ceased trading in 2005. Peel Holdings, the developers of the Trafford Centre and Media City, acquired the site and attempted to develop a huge apartment block complex on the site. The original planning application was submitted in 2006.

An extract from the
Pride of Manchester's on-line
thanks to www.prideofmanchester.com)

The first proposal, from the Ian Simpson practice, was for an eight-storey rectangular block, but it attracted a great deal of negative feedback because of the excessive size of the building, its incongruous appearance and the negative affect it would have on the area's application for World Heritage Site recognition. Protests were organised, and the Pride of Manchester group helped to co-ordinate opposition to the plans, enlisting the support of Mike Harding, Jason Orange of Take That, and Olympic swimmer James Hickman amongst others.

Local residents protesting about
the planning proposals (with thanks
to www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk)

Peel Holding's proposals were rejected again in 2008 by the Council's Planning Committee.

Simpson and Peel Holdings came back with a further design that involved a similar building in the form of two separate rectangular blocks. It too was rejected by the Planning Committee. Peel Holdings decided to take legal action to push the controversial plans through, which resulted in a Government appointed public enquiry.

Peel subsequently put forward a fourth proposal which also received little support, and in June 2011, after five years, Peel finally dropped their planning proposal. This was hailed by local residents and media as victory for the common man in their David and Goliath struggle with big business.

Campaigner Ian Christie, of the Castlefield Forum, said: "This is marvellous news a victory for Castlefield, common sense, conservation and everyone who wants more parks and green open space in the city." City center spokesman, Coun Pat Karney, added: "In this historic and much-loved area of Manchester, this is a victory for local residents and councillors and a victory for Manchester."

Having made an earlier approach with an offer to Peel Holdings, we recommenced negotiations to buy the building, and the transaction was completed on December 1st 2011.

If you'd like to put a name to a face, allow us to introduce you to the crew...


Front of house

Natasha

Manager

Tash has worked at the wharf since 2014! Her enthusiasm, drive and passion makes working a shift with her a dream. Tash had a short stint in our sister pub, the Glasfryn, for 6 months but, luckily for us, missed the hustle and bustle of city living, so soon joined us back here. If Tash isn't running around making a shift fun for crew and customers alike you can find her dressed to the nines with a G+T in hand or joining the lads cheering on her beloved Man United (we can just about forgive this lapse in judgement).

Callum

Senior Deputy Manager

Callum has been with us for 8 years, working his way up to Senior Deputy Manager with a perfect mix of sass, smarts, and a brilliant sense of humour. He’s as much a part of the pub as the furniture—and has more than earned the respect that comes with it. While he runs a tight ship, he does it with a wink and a well-timed one-liner, always one step ahead and making sure things go smoothly. He’s a fan of cider and IPAs but won’t turn down a glass of Champagne if it’s going. At home, he’s kept in line by his two cats, Marmalade and Toast—undeniably the best-named duo around.

Ged

Deputy Manager

Meet Ged, a true Manchester native with a heart full of sunshine! He’s passionate about his team and thrives in environments brimming with personality. With years of experience on the Manchester hospitality scene and a two-year adventure in New Zealand, Ged brings a wealth of knowledge and a vibrant spirit to his work. When he’s not working, you’ll find him indulging in his love for bourbon while playing video and board games. A genuine foodie at heart, he enjoys cooking, wine tasting, and exploring new towns and cities to sample delicious local delicacies.

Megan

Assistant Manager

Meg hails from the charming town of Stone in Staffordshire. Four years ago, she made the move to Manchester to study International Tourism Management, and she has since become a beloved long-serving crew member at the Wharf. In her free time, Meg loves to hang out with friends, often over an espresso martini or two (or maybe ten!). When she's not leading the charge at the Wharf, Meg enjoys traveling to new destinations and cherishing quality moments with her wonderful family.

Emily

Assistant Manager

Emily brings a bit of Welsh magic to the team, along with some serious knife skills from her past life as a sushi chef (don’t worry, she keeps the wasabi away from the bar snacks). She’s a proud cat mum to Dexter and Sydney, and has her sights set on ticking off every Disney and Universal park in the world — mouse ears at the ready! When she’s not planning her next theme park adventure, you’ll find her surrounded by family, or deep in wedding prep for her big day next year (yes, there’s a colour-coded spreadsheet). And yes — she’s Welsh and supports Liverpool… we’re still trying to work that one out.

Kane

Assistant Manager

Kane originally set out to be a teacher but found his true calling in hospitality, starting in kitchens before making the move front of house. He dotes on his cat Coco and spends his downtime hiking in the Peak District with his partner Jordon or sipping a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc—or a Guinness, depending on the mood. He’s also travelled across the South Island of New Zealand, which only deepened his love for adventure. Calm, capable, and always up for a chat, Kane’s the kind of person everyone’s glad to have around.

Emily

Bar Manager

Emily’s our brilliant Bar Manager and has hospitality running through her veins — from the hustle of London restaurants to charming farm cafés and bustling street food stalls, she’s seen (and served) it all. When she’s not shaking up the next crowd-pleasing cocktail, you’ll probably find her nose-deep in a Terry Pratchett novel or creating cross stitch patterns for her Etsy shop. She shares her home with an impressive menagerie of snakes, lizards and cats, and if there’s great food and even better cocktails on offer, Emily’s already there — probably critiquing the garnish.

Celia

Supervisor

Meet Celia, our delightful Manchester-born supervisor who has been a valued member of the Wharf team for four years. Celia has a passion for travel and lives for booking her next holiday adventure. When she’s not globetrotting, Celia loves to unwind with a good book and a delicious glass of red wine. A classy lady through and through, Celia brings both elegance and dedication to her role at the Wharf.

Lisa

Supervisor

Lisa, our Glasgow-born queen! A familiar and friendly face from years past, Lisa has recently re-joined us to share her expertise and show us how it’s done. We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome her back to the Wharf. Lisa cherishes time with her family and finds her greatest joy in moments spent with her daughter and new granddaughter. To recharge, she loves to relax with her cat, Chase. Lisa’s warmth and experience make her an invaluable part of our team!

Babzy

Bar/Waiting

Originally from Hungary, Babzy has been part of the team for four years and is loved by everyone who knows him. A true sports enthusiast, he’s into everything from football and golf to scaling cliffs on his days off. He believes everyone should learn another language and loves hospitality for the chance it gives him to connect with people from all walks of life. After being the best food runner around, he’s recently made the move to become a great bartender too. All-round legend, really.

Lily-Mai

Bar/Waiting

Lily’s been grafting since she was 14, drawn to the buzz, the banter, and the chance to meet new people every shift. A travel lover with a soft spot for festivals, she recently ticked Australia off her bucket list. Her go-to drink after work is a Pinot Blush, though she won’t say no to an Asahi or a margarita— just don't offer her a Guinness, it's apparently overrated! Karaoke nights? Of course! You’ll catch her belting out Boogie Wonderland like her life depends on it.

Meg

Bar/Waiting

Meg’s been in hospitality her whole career, drawn to how social and rewarding it is—and she’s always got a smile to match. She’s currently on a mission to crochet her entire summer wardrobe by hand, usually while binge-watching Married at First Sight. Equal parts creative and chaotic, she firmly believes ketchup on pasta or toast is not only acceptable, but delicious. Unapologetically herself and always up for a laugh, Meg’s one of a kind


Kitchen

Tom

Head Chef

Tom’s culinary journey has taken him from the kitchens of the Sydney Opera House to a year of tapas and sunshine in Barcelona, before bringing his talent back to England. He’s been with the company for 10 years, working as a roving chef across 32 pubs before settling in as Head Chef at the Wharf. An inspiration to his team, Tom’s dedication to the ever-changing menu and passion for bringing in fresh ideas keeps things exciting in the kitchen. With an infectious personality and a constant grin, he keeps the kitchen buzzing with energy and good vibes. When he’s not cooking up a storm, he’s out walking his dog Reggie and enjoying some well-earned downtime.

Connor

Sous Chef

Connor hails from Wales but was raised in Bristol, so home is a broad place. He studied art before he found his vocation as a chef, giving him a keen eye for detail. Outside of the kitchen, Connor likes to rock climb and is an amateur tattoo artist. He spends his days off with the family, making quality time for his baby daughter Wren.


Maintenance

Irene

Cleaner

Originally from Glasgow, Irene brings a big personality and even bigger stories to every shift. She’s worked across all sorts of industries, but we’re lucky to have her keeping things spotless and spirits high. She absolutely dotes on her dog Taz and loves nothing more than a good walk together. Known for her cheeky humour, she’s always got a tale to tell—usually over a vodka and coke in hand.

Audrey

Cleaner

Audrey has been with us for almost eight years and is pretty much part of the furniture. After making the pub look gorgeous (she is particularly proud of her polished wooden floors), you can find her heading to town for a shopping spree. To wind down, Auds takes her whole extended family abroad for some well-deserved relaxation and chill time.

Suzanne

Gardener/Maintenance Person

Our greatest green thumb, Sue looks after every branch, leaf and flower in and around the pub. From planting daffodils in the terrace to nurturing house plants in the restaurant she keeps us colourful and bright. Sue loves to spend her time cycling to keep fit and weight training for all that heavy lifting.