Historic Ancoats pub linked to cold case disappearance faces demolition after masonry collapses
The Bank of England on Pollard Street, where Martin Joyce was last seen alive in 1999, has been issued a demolition order after falling debris prompted safety fears. A planning application for 193 apartments on the site is still pending.
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A historic Ancoats pub once at the centre of a cold case investigation is facing demolition after parts of the building began to collapse.
The Bank of England on Pollard Street has stood empty for more than a decade. Manchester City Council confirmed that building control officers issued a Section 78 order requiring the demolition of the building after reports of falling masonry in May.
Local councillor Marcia Sherif raised concerns about temporary plastic barriers put up around the building. She said: "It was just a barrier. If heavy masonry falls on that, it's a danger to people passing by. Obviously we don't want people to be hurt, and we don't want to lose the building either."
What is the pub's history?
The Bank of England opened in 1830 and originally served local mill workers. In more recent decades it became a popular pre-match stop for football fans heading to what is now the Etihad Stadium.
But the pub is most associated with the disappearance of Martin Joyce, a 29-year-old man who vanished in September 1999 after last being seen at the venue. In 2015, Greater Manchester Police excavated the cellar over a two-week period following a tip-off, but found nothing. Martin has never been found and the investigation remains open.
The pub was run at the time by the late Jimmy Donnelly. Martin's family have always maintained they want answers.
What is planned for the site?
Developer Kamani Property submitted a planning application in 2022 to demolish the pub and adjacent industrial units and build 193 apartments in two blocks. The application is still pending.
The Section 78 order means the building could be pulled down before any planning decision is made. Councillor Sherif said she had written to the developer asking for clarity on their intentions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is the Bank of England pub being demolished?
- Manchester City Council issued a Section 78 order requiring its demolition after the vacant building's interior began collapsing, causing falling debris and safety risks.
- What is the pub's connection to a police investigation?
- In 2016, Greater Manchester Police excavated the pub's cellar searching for Martin Joyce, who disappeared in 1999. No remains were found, and the case remains unsolved.
- What will replace the pub on Pollard Street?
- A planning application submitted in 2022 proposes building 193 apartments across two blocks on the site, though the plans are still awaiting council approval.