ONE of Chester's most historic pubs is set to reopen for the first time since the pandemic.

Lying on the corner of Lower Bridge Street, the Grade I listed Falcon has been closed since 2020, but is now scheduled to reopen on November 13.

The pub will continue to be part of the Sam Smith's Brewery estate, with new landlord Thomas Giles and landlady Annie Dolby.

Chester and South Clwyd Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) posted: "Good to hear that the Falcon in Chester is scheduled to re-open on November 13th. This eye-catching city centre pub, part of the Sam Smith's Brewery estate, has been shut for way too long."

New co-owner, Annie Dolby said via the pub's Facebook page: "Well, good things do come to those who wait and myself and Thomas Giles are ridiculously excited to say we are the new Landlord and Lady of our own pub, The Falcon. Situated in the middle of Chester we are bound to be busy bees but we cannot wait for our next adventure!!

"Come see us when we re-open on the 13th November!

"Cheers."

The building has had a storied history dating back to around 1200, when the first house was built on the site of what would later become The Falcon. The building was acquired by the Grosvenor family in the 17th century and significantly altered by Sir Richard Grosvenor, it was the first building on Lower Bridges Street to have its external row walkway enclosed.

The Falcon was first used as an inn in 1778. It was restored by architect John Douglas just over a century later (1879) and opened as a temperance house.

Derelict and empty during the 1970s, the pub was bought by the Falcon Trust and restored once again in 1980.

In more recent years it was one of two pubs in the city to ban the use of mobile phones, the other being Ye Olde Boot Inn, both of which are part of the Sam Smith estate.