One of the jewels in Stockport's pub crown has fully re-opened after a refit to create a new upstairs room.

Space was limited in the grade II-listed Swan with Two Necks for five weeks while the work took place. The back end of the vintage Robinson's house - including the outdoor gents' toilets - was off limits apart from at weekends, meaning the ladies' loo was pressed into temporary action for all customers.

"We've had renovations to make a new room with more seating and toilets upstairs," said the Swan's barmaid Lauren. "The grand opening for it was last Friday and we've had loads of people going up there to enjoy the peace and quiet.

"It's really relaxing up there, but you can hire it out for private functions, too."

There has been a pub on the site for almost 200 years, although Robinson's bought the land in the 1920s and rebuilt it as the Swan with Two Necks. It celebrates its centenary this year.

The boozer has been through several licks of paint over the past century, but has managed to retain several original features that put it high on the Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) list of historic pub interiors. These include an unusual skylight in the lounge, intricate stained glass and oak panelling.

It describes the Swan as: "A small, little-changed inter-war pub with extensive wood panelling. There is a drinking lobby, a vault, a smoke room and a back room that was brought into pub use later. There are plenty of interesting features, such as seating, stained glass and others typical of pubs from the era. A cosy gem."

The Swan with Two Necks is home of the reigning Stockport Quiz League Cup champions and shares its landlord, Steve Nield, with the Alexandra in Edgeley, which itself underwent a significant restoration two years ago.

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