A HISTORIC Warrington hotel which has recently been put on the market once had a very famous chef - who made his name in a very different field.

Based in the town centre, The Patten Arms Hotel is up for sale.

The venue, which stands opposite Warrington Bank Quay, boasts 43 letting bedrooms and has ‘well-appointed’ and spacious public areas.

The hotel is listed on Rightmove for £1,450,000.

However it was once the work place of a former deputy prime minister.

John Prescott was a commis chef at the hotel in the 1950s.

His wife Pauline recalled this was where former deputy Prime Minister John had planned to propose to her.

Warrington Guardian:

In her autobiography she says Mr Prescott had planned to propose to her at the pub opposite Bank Quay station in 1959.

She says: “We took the train to Warrington but a few miles out of the station John became increasingly nervous.

“He’d never been very confident in public.

“Not far from our destination, he suddenly turned to me and said: ‘Listen Paul, when we get to the restaurant everyone’s going to be watching and waiting for the moment I pull out the ring. It’ll be embarrassing.’”

He then proposed to her inside the train toilet!