Macclesfield licensee fights to save pub

A MACCLESFIELD licensee has been turned into a virtual computer game hero by a regular to aid her in the fight to save her pub from demolition.

Plans for a new square unveiled by developer Wilson Bowden as part of the redevelopment of Macclesfield town centre include demolishing Porters, which is nearly 150 years old. Manager Catherine Higginbotham had initially been informed that the pub was in a conservation area and would not be affected.

Now a loyal customer has taken the remarkable step of designing an online computer game with a cartoon of Catherine fighting off the developers.

And her campaign, Save the Porters, now has the full support from Punch Taverns, which owns the pub. It has promised full legal advice and assistance to oppose the planning application.

Catherine, who has managed the pub for seven years, said: "This is one of the most historic and busiest pubs in Macclesfield, so having it knocked down would be a travesty for our customers and the town.

"Lots of people are very upset with the plans. We are on the town centre circuit but the pub has a real community feel and it was named regional pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale in 2004."

The building dates back to 1874 and became a pub when two neighbouring cottages joined together soon after. It is the last pub on Roe Street, which once had three.

Claire Burell, communications manager for Wilson Bowden, said: "At this stage there are no definitive plans. We consulted with the public on this redevelopment at the end of September and will feed back on that within the next month."

Ms Higginbotham has also started an online blog, at http://savetheporters.blogspot.com/, where people can pledge their support.

Punch has produced some free business cards with the blog address to be handed out to customers and local residents.

Players can do battle with the developers online by logging onto the game at www.matmi.com/savetheporters