Chetham Arms in Chapeltown looks to update its windows

The Chetham Arms in Chapeltown was constructed in 1746 on the site of an even older alehouse, going up less than a year after Bonnie Prince Charlie marched his Jacobite forces through the surrounding area during his failed revolt against the British Government.

Starting out in this turbulent point in Lancashire’s history, the high street pub traded as ‘The Black Bull’ for the first seven decades of its existence, but received its current name in 1823 after its landlord decided to name it after the man who built it, Humphrey Chetham.

However, with this ancient boozer continuing to serve local patrons well into its third century, its current owners are looking to make some noticeable changes to the outside of the old sandstone building.

The changes to the Chetham Arms will modernise the windows, but restore something of the building’s old appearance (Image: Blackburn with Darwen Council)

 Unlike other changes made in its long history, including the removal of the village’s stocks where criminals would be punished in full view of pubgoers, these changes should be more subtle

That is because all 17 of its external single-glazed windows are set for an update. Though, the owners say this should somewhat restore the building to its original appearance.

When these openings were last replaced, the framing used did not match up with the more narrow window frames previously used.

The pub’s owners say in their application to Blackburn with Darwen Council: “The opening windows have quite thick wooden frames and look out of character.

“All windows are currently single glazed and some are cracked. Our purpose is twofold – to upgrade with narrow framed double glazing and to do so in a way that gets closer to the original appearance.”

These 17 new windows, if approved for installation by Blackburn with Darwen Council, will retain the same layout as they have in previous centuries, but with the added benefit of double glazing and thinner timber frames to better match its historic appearance.