New pub for Wigan as part of Eckersley Mill regeneration project
Wigan-based regeneration specialist, Heaton Group, which is behind the £250m regeneration of the iconic Eckersley Mill site in Wigan, has announced The Three Mills Beer & Ale House, will open within the complex on May 9.
Occupying 4,500 sq ft in the former Grade II-listed building, The Three Mills Beer & Ale House is the first major permanent opening in the Cotton Works masterplan – the 17-acre, multi-phase regeneration project and largest brownfield site in the North West under single ownership.
The venue will pay tribute to the building’s industrial past as Eckersley Mill, while delivering a new offering for the town.
The new 130-seat destination will give visitors a contemporary and welcoming environment with splashes of nostalgia throughout, giving the timeless charm of a traditional pub.
It will include a 14-line tap wall and three cask ale pumps, stocking an ever-evolving range of beers from Wigan-based breweries, including Wily Fox, Problem Child, and Wigan Brewhouse.
Regional names such as Rivington from Chorley, Northern Monkey from Bolton and Beartown from Congleton will also be on the menu.
The bar food offering will include pies, sausage rolls, and Scotch eggs alongside doorstop sandwiches, toasties, and jacket potatoes.
John Heaton, managing director of Heaton Group, said “The Three Mills Beer and Ale House is more than just a pub opening – it’s a milestone in our wider vision for Cotton Works and the future of Wigan.
“After showcasing our food and drink potential with Feast at the Mills, The Three Mills Beer & Ale House marks a thrilling new chapter in our journey.
“This isn’t just another venue, it’s our intention to open a game-changer for Wigan – this is something you’d expect from a city centre destination.”
He added: “We’ve retained and enhanced original elements of the Grade II-listed Mill throughout all the plans of the pub. During construction, a beautiful Yorkstone floor was uncovered, which will form the heart of the space.
“The new pub is our first major opening as part of our wider Cotton Works masterplan for Wigan and we couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds.”
After receiving full planning permission earlier this year, Cotton Works will transform the historic area into a cutting-edge, mixed-use destination consisting of commercial, residential, food and drink and leisure spaces.
It is set to become a pioneering ten-minute community, offering residents, workers and visitors the ability to meet most of their everyday needs within a ten-minute walk – from public transport, shops and childcare to restaurants, doctors and greenspaces.
The opening of the new pub will be succeeded by the introduction of co-working spaces, event venues, a food hall, a rooftop bar, and expanded commercial elements throughout 2025 and 2026.
