19/04/2025
We wanted to take a moment to share some context around our recent planning application, following the article published in the Warrington Guardian and the mixed reactions we’ve seen since. As owners of The Manna House, this hasn’t been an easy decision.
We bought the building in 2016. At the time, it already had planning permission in place for residential use, but that was never our intention. We had a vision to create a beautiful, character-filled private hire venue for events, celebrations, and community gatherings.
Like many others, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic hit us hard. Despite reopening with optimism, the level of bookings never fully returned. The cost-of-living crisis that followed further affected people’s ability to plan events, and alongside rising costs for ourselves, it’s become increasingly difficult to sustain the business, but the reality is, it’s no longer financially viable. We explored other ways to keep the building in commercial use, but the lack of parking has been a major barrier.
We also want to address some text accompanying the recent social media post which incorrectly suggested that “some of the hall could be demolished.” This is simply not true. The main hall will remain entirely intact. The only demolition involved in our plans is the removal of part of a rear extension, which was added in the 1970s, to create a private garden space. The heart of the building — its Victorian architecture and original features — will be preserved with care.
After much reflection and professional advice, we believe the best and most sensitive option now is to convert it into residential use. Although we were presented with an option to divide the property into two homes, which would be more lucrative, we’ve chosen not to pursue this. We want the building to remain whole and we’re working closely with our architect to ensure the renovation process protects and retains as many original Victorian features as possible. This approach will cost more, but we believe it’s the right thing to do.
We truly appreciate everyone who has supported The Manna House over the years and we are sad to see it come to an end. Our hope is that by sharing our journey honestly, it can be seen how much thought has gone into this decision.
With thanks
Andy & Jade
https://online.warrington.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=214022
