Built in the 19th century, it is one of the few structures remaining in the area from the time of the Peterloo Massacre.

[4] In 2014, it was threatened with demolition, along with Bootle Street police station and Manchester Reform Synagogue, to make way for the St Michael's redevelopment of the area led by Gary Neville.

Several applications to Manchester City Council to protect the pub as an asset of community value were also declined in 2014 and 2016.

[2] The possibility of dismantling it and doing a brick-by-brick rebuild of it in a new location was aired in 2016, but is likely to be costly.

[2] On 12 July 2017, the revised plans for the development included Gary Neville's consortium buying and retaining The Sir Ralph Abercromby.