A Glossop pub where a notorious highwayman once stayed came close to getting its own dance hall.
Seventy-five years ago there were big plans for the town centre Howard Arms.
As one of Glossopdale’s oldest pubs, the brewery wanted to make it one of the biggest and best in High Peak.
In October 1949, the Chronicle was reporting plans for a major extension. The brewery wanted to provide 10 bedrooms to let, a kitchen garden and a ballroom, and a long flight of steep steps at the entrance to the High Street East inn.
Obviously it never happened, but where does the famous highwayman Dick Turpin come in?
Well, it’s rumoured that the robber on horseback regularly stayed there on his journeys from London to York.
It could have happened because there have long been rumours that Londoner Turpin, who was born in 1705, stabled his horse on Manor Street, around 50 yards from the pub.
The Howard Arms dates back to the early 18th century and Turpin had links, albeit tenuous ones, with Glossop.
So did he drink and dine at the Howard Arms and does his ghost still wander the rooms? Or are the only spirits confined to the optics behind the bar?
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