28th July 2025
Written by Rachel Wallace
The Broadoak Hotel in Ashton-Under-Lyne recently reopened following a beautiful, carefully thought-out refurbishment. The seven-week refurbishment pays tribute to its nearly 100-year old legacy. Originally designed in 1936 and built in 1937, the Broadoak Hotel was commissioned by Sir John Robinson, grandfather of current Managing Director, William Robinson. It forms part of a distinctive group of Robinsons pubs known as the “Interwar Roadside Inns,” which includes the Flower Pot, Legs of Man, Bleeding Wolf, and Church House. These Inns were designed to cater to those travelling by motor car, along with the new arterial roads and bypasses which emerged across the country in the 1920s and 1930s. This new type of establishment provided motorists with refreshment, food and accommodation on their journeys. While each pub in the collection has its own unique character, they are all connected by their Arts and Crafts architectural style, traditional timber detailing, and shared historical significance.
The refurbishment, which began in late April and was completed in mid-June, focused on preserving and enhancing the Broadoak’s original architectural features. All of the original Adze timber - used throughout the building - was carefully sandblasted to reveal its natural tone, uncovering beautiful details in the beams, wall strappings, and door frames that had covered by decades of dark varnish.
The original parquet dance floor in the function room has been retained and restored, now complemented by new timber flooring around it. Original light fittings, featuring delicate acorn motifs (a subtle nod to the pub’s name), have also been preserved. Additional historic touches remain throughout, including carved oak leaves in the facia boards and stone features above the entrance and intricate oak leaf detailing on the door handles.
The design approach aimed to highlight and celebrate the building’s heritage rather than alter it. New elements, such as large-scale woodland-themed wallpaper in the bar and corridor areas, were introduced to enhance the existing character and theme without overshadowing it.
Approximately half of the loose furnishings were upcycled, while all fixed seating was newly installed. Original tables have been repurposed, and both the bar and internal doors were sandblasted and re-stained. A curated collection of artwork from the archive- including vintage Old Tom beer mats and photographs of brewery vehicles decorated for the 1937 coronation - add an authentic historic layer that connects the pub’s identity to the very year it was built.
The function room, once known as the “Singing Room,” has been thoughtfully reimagined to seamlessly blend with the rest of the pub. While it now feels like a natural extension of the main space, it retains the flexibility to be closed off for private events. Steeped in history, the Singing Room holds special significance as the original broadcast location of the very first episode of BBC Radio 4’s ‘How Does Your Garden Grow?’, now known as Gardener’s Question Time, which aired on 9th April 1947. The show returned 65 years later in 2013, to celebrate its anniversary in the very same room.
A room previously used for meetings and occasionally for storage has also been transformed into additional trading space and can now be opened up or closed off for meetings. The updated internal layout now accommodates up to 160 covers.
Externally, the Broadoak’s front area has been refreshed with lighter-toned paint, new signage, and repainted fencing. Benches from the front garden were repurposed, restored, and relocated to the rear outdoor area. The addition of new furniture has increased capacity at the front to accommodate up to 84 covers.
Reflecting on the project, the Designer commented “I really enjoyed this project. The architecture has so much history. We’re proud to bring the Broadoak Hotel into its next chapter. This refurbishment reflects Robinsons’ commitment to maintaining the character of our historic pubs while ensuring they meet the expectations of today’s guests. The Broadoak is a much-loved local pub, and we’ve taken care to enhance everything that makes it special.”
With its thoughtful refurbishment, the Broadoak Hotel perfectly balances historic charm with modern comfort. Open seven days a week, the pub serves freshly prepared, homemade food in a beautifully restored setting that honours its rich heritage. Customers can enjoy everything from hearty pub classics and flame-grilled favourites to fresh salads, burgers, and sandwiches. Don't just take our word for it, visit the Broadoak and see for yourself!
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