Empty pub once run by a celebrity chef will be transformed into a nursery

Thursday, 15 January 2026 17:02

By George Lythgoe

What was once a popular gastropub fronted by celebrity chef Andrew Nutter will be converted into a nursery. The Bird at Birtle was relaunched under the Nutter banner back in 2016 after a £1m makeover.

The Nutter family sold the eatery last year so that Andrew’s mum could retire. The pub, previously known as Bird i’th Hand, had sat derelict for years in the village of Birtle until the family gave it a revamp.

It was transformed into a modern restaurant back in 2016, complete with a huge glass double terrace extension to the rear, boasting panoramic views across the countryside.

Following approval from Rochdale council on the latest plans, the site on Bury and Rochdale Old Road will get another lease of life as a nursery for children up to the age of five. Heaton Park View Nursery Limited will be operating the new nursery.

The childcare provider currently has an Ofsted rating of outstanding at their base in Higher Blackley. According to planning papers the nursery has an ‘immediate need for additional childcare capacity’ due to increased demand.

No physical changes are planned for the building or the car park. It is expected to cater for up to 80 children and employ 10-12 members of staff.

Planning papers read: “Importantly, the proposed nursery use represents a significant reduction in intensity and external impact when compared with the existing lawful use as a 140-cover restaurant operating late into the evening and at weekends.

“The nursery will operate Monday to Friday only, between 7.30am and 6.30pm, with no evening or weekend activity.”

The Nutter family also previously ran the award-winning fine dining restaurant in Norden for 28 years at the historic Wolstenholme Hall. But the Michelin-rated restaurant was sold to the Albert’s restaurant group in October 2021, it has sat empty since.

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