Report - The Old Toby Inn, Skelmersdale, Lancashire - December 2020

[MK83]

History - The Old Toby Inn was originally Skelmersdale Hall a farmhouse built in 1712, it was expanded in the late 19th century, and used as a public house. It is grade 2 listed. After an extensive refurbishment, The Old Toby Inn was then split into a restaurant, music bar, a Wacky Warehouse and a sports bar. Due to changing leisure habits the pub began to struggle and eventually shut down around a year ago.

Explore - Haven't seen this place explored anywhere before, we found it on the way to scoping out something else. We could see that the pub was boarded so decided to take a look and see if we could find access. We were surprised at the size of the place and found a way in. Sadly although the exterior of these buildings look attractive the inside has been mostly stripped and modernised, barely any original features remain which is a shame for a building over 300 years old. The best feature is definitely the dinosaurs painted in the Wacky Warehouse.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Very mixed bag there. I like that arched door, rather church like. Looks like it would make a great house again.

 

[MK83]

Very mixed bag there. I like that arched door, rather church like. Looks like it would make a great house again.

It was quite disappointing when we got in tbh. It's has been thoroughly ruined by whoever refurbished it last. Still it's not been done before and is one of the oldest buildings in that area by far so deserved a report before it falls completely to ruin. The roofs knackered and there's some major subsidence in the main house bit (you can se outside through the crack in the wall) so unless it gets some investment it's not gonna last much longer.

 

[Chris C]

I love that old black stove.

 

[MK83]

I love that old black stove.

it is nice. Not sure if it a an original feature. I suspect the only truly original features are the old oak beams in the attic.

 

[Angellica]

The shape of the door looks very unique. Lovely stove. Nice report.

 

[Jackdaw47]

History - The Old Toby Inn was originally Skelmersdale Hall a farmhouse built in 1712, it was expanded in the late 19th century, and used as a public house. It is grade 2 listed. After an extensive refurbishment, The Old Toby Inn was then split into a restaurant, music bar, a Wacky Warehouse and a sports bar. Due to changing leisure habits the pub began to struggle and eventually shut down around a year ago.

Explore - Haven't seen this place explored anywhere before, we found it on the way to scoping out something else. We could see that the pub was boarded so decided to take a look and see if we could find access. We were surprised at the size of the place and found a way in. Sadly although the exterior of these buildings look attractive the inside has been mostly stripped and modernised, barely any original features remain which is a shame for a building over 300 years old. The best feature is definitely the dinosaurs painted in the Wacky Warehouse.

Thanks for looking.

I think that with a property as old as this has secrets behind the walls, chances are what you see is superficial ? But very interesting as has been mentioned! The fireplace and doorway represent a small picture of what once was there. Nice.

 

[ChelseeLou92]

Unfortunately the house has just been burnt down today, not sure if it was youths or a plan to destroy to build new houses there. Either way it's sad to see it go being one of the last old buildings we have in Skem.