Yahoo News Own a piece of history as pub which once housed Bonnie Prince Charlie is reduced in price by £150k
A former pub which dates back almost three hundred years and has links to the adventures of Bonnie Prince Charlie has been reduced in price after it failed to attract a buyer.
The Crown & Thistle, on Roman Road just outside of Darwen, closed in July 2022 after falling victim to the Covid pandemic. The pub had been bought by businessman Mo Zahbi, and his wife Julie, who have since found success with their bakery business in Darwen.
After the Hoddlesden pub closed the couple obtained planning permission, potentially with a view to increasing its value, to convert the property into either one six-bed single residence or two adjoining houses.
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Since securing permission, in February 2023, the former pub has been on the market - first for £565,000 with the price later being reduced, via Chorley estate agent Peter Gilkes, to £415,000.
The Crown & Thistle dates back to 1742 where it is said that Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at the inn during his adventures up and down the country. Charlie - or Charles Edward Stuart as he was formally known - was the Stuart claimant to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland and sought to restore his family's regal position.
In 2022 after announcing the pub was closing Iranian-born Mo, who came over to the UK to study in 1978 during the Iranian Revolution, revealed that he and his wife had been trying to sell the property since 2019 but were curtailed by Covid.
Mo, who trades under the name Little Italy and lives in Belmont Road, has since focused on his Darwen-based bakery business which recently expanded with a second venue in the former British Queen pub.
The couple opened their first Crown & Thistle Bakery in Blackburn Road in 2021 before opening a second where the cake side of the business is now based.
The current listing with Peter Gilkes states: "A rare opportunity to develop and create exclusive residence or residences by converting a substantial stone coaching house which nestles into the folds of spectacular surrounding countryside between southern Darwen and Edgeworth.
"The Crown & Thistle is a former restaurant and public house which is reputed to have links with the adventures of Bonnie Prince Charlie and is of significant local interest.
"Planning permission has been obtained for it to be converted into a large single or two residences."
