Cheadle Hulme’s The Station House has landed a shortlist spot for Best New Site at the 2026 Publican Awards.
The category recognises new openings or major redevelopments that build strong trade, connect with their local community and deliver a standout guest experience.
The pub reopened in October after a £1.3m joint refurbishment by Almond Family Pubs and Manchester brewery Joseph Holt. It now finds itself shortlisted alongside new sites from across the UK.
The Publican Awards are seen as a gold standard in hospitality. An independent panel of industry experts judges each entry, weighing up operational performance, innovation, customer experience and long-term sustainability.
James Almond, director of Almond Family Pubs, said: “We are delighted to see The Station House shortlisted for Best New Site at The Publican Awards. This nomination means a great deal to us and is a real testament to the passion, creativity and commitment of our general manager Zac and his entire team. From the outset, this was a big departure for us. We wanted to create something elevated but still true to our brand and to what our customers are seeking: quality, value and a great atmosphere.
“The design was inspired by the golden age of rail travel, and was carefully considered to allow the space to evolve throughout the day, from coffee mornings to pints at the bar, allowing us to welcome a broad mix of guests. Our aim was to create a pub for all occasions and all seasons: inclusive but with an exclusive feel. The feedback so far has been fantastic, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that recognised at a national level.”
Richard Kershaw, CEO of Joseph Holt, added: “The collaboration between Joseph Holt, one of the country’s most historic and respected family breweries, and Almond Family Pubs, a thriving family-run business, represents a true coming together of ideas, community, ethos and shared values. Both are family businesses with strong local roots and long-standing track records of running successful pubs.
“When Almond Family Pubs took over the tenancy of The Station House, formerly Platform 5, from Joseph Holt, it marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter. It is hugely gratifying to see this rejuvenated landmark pub now being shortlisted for this prestigious award, and we wish the team every continued success for the future.”
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