Your bumper briefing of news and what to look out for
Anna Jameson and Tony Walsh appointed as new Patrons for Forever Manchester
Forever Manchester, the charity dedicated to funding community initiatives across Greater Manchester, has announced the appointment of two new Patrons: BBC presenter Anna Jameson and acclaimed poet Tony Walsh who both have long-standing ties to the region and share the charity’s passion for bringing local communities together.
Anna Jameson, formerly a longstanding host of BBC Radio Manchester’s Breakfast Show and now a reporter for BBC North West Tonight, is a familiar face in local media with an established reputation for empowering local causes and stories.
Celebrated for his iconic This is the Place poem which he donated to Forever Manchester for their sole use, Tony Walsh has a long history with the charity as their first ever Poet in Residence as well as a background of passionate advocacy for charities like Back on Track, of which he is also patron.
Nick Massey, Chief Executive of Forever Manchester, highlighted the significance of the appointments: “Both Anna and Tony are powerful advocates for the city and its people,” he said. “Their support will be invaluable in raising awareness of our work.”
The new patrons will co-host Forever Manchester’s Annual Birthday Party on February 7, 2025, at the Kimpton Clock Tower Hotel.
Flat Iron’s Carcass Club set to make its Manchester debut
Flat Iron is bringing its renowned Carcass Club to their Deansgate restaurant for the first time on 28 January, offering diners the chance to savour some of the finest Wagyu steak from the restaurant’s personally reared North Yorkshire herd for just £20 per person.
At this one-night-only event hosted by Flat Iron’s Head of Beef, Fred Smith, guests will also enjoy beef dripping chips, a special Sauce Choron, and a complimentary glass of Flat Iron’s Malbec, ending the night with the restaurant’s signature beef dripping popcorn and Tahitian vanilla soft serve.
The event kicks off at 5pm and tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no bookings accepted.
Fred Smith, Flat Iron’s Head of Beef and Carcuss Club host, said: “We’ve served some remarkable beef at The Carcass Club including White Park, Native Angus and Belted Galloway but this event feels particularly special as we’ll be serving Wagyu from our very own herd. When we get to eat beef that we have spent years rearing, it’s always memorable and I’m delighted to share this with Manchester.”
Places for People partners with 49 warm and food banks to support communities
Places for People, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting communities through housebuilding and placemaking, has strengthened its commitment to supporting vulnerable households this winter by partnering with 49 food and warm banks nationwide, including key hubs in Salford and Manchester.
This initiative forms part of the organisation’s Winter Ready campaign, aimed at ensuring access to vital services during the colder months. In Manchester, the resources will be provided to Planet Mercy, a local food kitchen which provides 3,000 food parcels annually to residents in need, as well as Salford Foyer Foodshare which also works to combat food insecurity in the region.
Marcus Hulme, Director of Places Impact at Places for People, said: “By supporting food and warm banks in the region, we’re providing tangible, accessible resources to help these areas navigate the toughest months of the year with confidence and support."
Supergroup to play two sets at The Cavern
Shaun Ryder will be performing with his supergroup Mantra of the Cosmos at The Cavern in Liverpool on Sunday 19 January.
The group, made up of the Happy Mondays and Black Grape frontman, one-time Oasis members Andy Bell and Zak Starkey (son of Ringo Starr) and of course Bez, will perform two sets on the Sunday at 3pm and 8pm.
The gigs will also see the exclusive vinyl release of the band’s new single featuring Noel Gallagher, Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous), with copies only available from the venue.
On what to expect from the band, Gallagher described Mantra of the Cosmos as “like Dylan, Dalí and Ginsberg on a rocketship to the moon to have it with the Clangers”. If you’re unsure what that sounds like, you’ll need to get down to the gig.
Tickets are available here.
Didsbury Gin goes into liquidation
One-time Dragon’s Den success story Didsbury Gin has gone into liquidation, owing creditors close to the tune of £200,000.
Founders Mark Smallwood and Liam Manton started the company in 2017 and went onto to bag investment of £75,000 from Dragon Jenny Campbell the following year.
Within three years the business was turning over £3m in sales, according to The Business Desk, and during the pandemic it made hand sanitiser using their excess raw alcohol, resulting in OBEs for Smallwood and Manton for services to the community.
Abel Heywood gets further facelift
Salford-based brewery Hydes has committed to a £235k refurbishment of the boutique hotel at Northern Quarter pub The Abel Heywood.
The investment follows a multi-million, seven-figure investment programme across its pub estate in 2024 including a £200k refurbishment of the award-winning Abel Heywood pub in February last year.
Acquired by Hydes in 2014, The Abel Heywood’s hotel facility will undergo a rolling closure in January which will be fully complete by early March. Numerous rooms will be available during the refurbishment programme and the pub, bar and dining facilities will operate as normal.
The refurbishment of the Abel Heywood’s hotel rooms will include complete redecoration of all 15 rooms including new beds, fixtures and fittings and contemporary decor, aimed at the modern city break guests.
Alex Allan, manager of the Abel Heywood since 2014, said: “The Abel Heywood is a hugely popular venue for drinkers in the city centre alongside day trippers and visitors to Manchester who want somewhere quirky and cool to stay overnight.
“After a decade managing the Abel Heywood, it has become such an integral part of what the Northern Quarter is all about. It’s great for the local economy and brings in lots of business to this part of the city.
“Following the hugely successful refurbishment of the pub last year and significant investment from Hydes, the full refurbishment of the hotel will give it the modernisation that it deserves and hopefully have the same impact as the investment in the pub.”
Screen Talent Agency opens first Northern base in Manchester
London-based Screen Talent Agency, which represents film and TV crew including costume designers, makeup artists, and sound engineers, as well as directors and screenwriters, has opened a Manchester office in their first bid to champion talent across Northern England.
With a list of acclaimed clients including Prosthetic Supervisors from Demi Moore’s new body-horror film The Substance, Screen Talent Agency’s expansion into Northern England reinforces the region’s growing importance in the creative industries and represents exciting career opportunities for those interested in all manner of below-the-line roles in film and TV.
“With high-profile productions on the rise across Northern England, Manchester and its surrounding cities are becoming key hubs in the industry,” said Ashley Day, who now heads Screen Talent Agency’s Manchester operation. “I’m excited to showcase the amazing local talent, both new and established.”
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the theatre…
The Lowry will be staging an Oliver-nominated play based on the making of Jaws from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 February.
The play, The Shark is Broken, follows the fraught and boozy production of the 1975 classic starring Robert Shaw, Roy Schneider and Richard Dreyfuss, and sees Ian Shaw both co-write and play the role of his father.
The production also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Spielberg classic that put a generation off swimming in the sea.
Visit The Lowry website to buy tickets.
Suffragette City’s celebration of female and non-binary DJs goes global
Manchester’s iconic Suffragette City event, a celebration of female and non-binary DJs, will be broadcast worldwide for the first time on 8 March thanks to an exciting partnership with StreamGM’s underground clubbing series MainRoom.
Suffragette City is set to take over all four floors of Yes on International Women’s Day, playing house, techno and disco tunes all while being livestreamed as a real-time window into the heart of the city’s vibrant club culture.
Headlined by BBC 6 Music’s Afrodeutsche, all 36 DJs will perform for free to support vulnerable women, gender minorities, and local charities in Greater Manchester.
“Suffragette City highlights how far Manchester’s underground scene has come, and we are beyond thrilled to partner with them to bring this one-of-a-kind celebration to a global audience,” said StreamGM Producer Laura Graham. “This MainRoom episode will take the party beyond YES’s red brick walls and will give a true snapshot of Manchester’s current nightlife, while championing a diverse, all-female and non-binary lineup that challenges the conventional, male-dominated narrative.”
Doors open at 4:00pm and the livestream kicks off at 7:00pm, available for free here.
Salmon of Knowledge opening second site
Recent addition to Stephenson Square, and contender for weirdest bar name, The Salmon of Knowledge has announced it is opening a second site, this time in the leafy suburbs of Didsbury.
The bar took to Instagram on Thursday (9 January) to announce the expansion.
“You called and we answered. The Salmon of Knowledge is swimming upstream to bring our second site to YOU very soon!
“By popular demand, we are expanding to the suburbs, so get ready for live music, great food, live sports, and gallons of Guinness.”
But where will it set up? Our guess is the site once occupied by The Botanist and laterally The Wishing Well.
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