THE future of Taurus bar - a staple of Canal Street's bar scene for more than two decades - has been clouded in doubt since the bar closed suddenly in January 2015.
All these new openings are attempting to bring dining back to the heart of The Village
At the time, Confidential was informed by a spokesperson that the venue had been closed by the landlord in order to carry out routine noise abatement work.
However, it now seems there was a regime change afoot.
So out are Iain Scott and Mike 'Polly' Pollard, the bar's hugely popular founders; in are two new owners, a new general manager and a new head chef.
Ian Kelly and Edward Breadner - the duo behind Manchester's City Warehouse ApartHotel on Great Ancoats Street - have taken on the Canal Street bar (their first food and drink venture), and brought in former Harvey Nics, ABode and Atlas manager, James Cunningham, alongside new head chef Denis Gore.
The all-new Taurus should open in late-April.
Cunningham hopes the regime change will be a whole new start for the bar and for the wider Village area: "I really think there's a renaissance coming to The Village," says Cunningham. "There's the new Taurus; Will and Jason from Tea42 opening in the former-Mongolian Grill site; the new ON bar in the old Manto; Delicatezze at the old Eden site; and Urban Cookhouse on Princess Street.
"Most importantly, all these new openings are attempting to bring dining back to the heart of The Village," Cunningham continued. "Yes there's still all the same great bars in which to go drink, dance and have a good time, but it doesn't have to only be about that."
Taurus is currently undergoing a full refurb, with the stripped back venue revealing some 'great original features'. Expect the exposed brick, piping and 'industrial chic' now de rigeur in most new Manchester openings. "We're going for a Northern Quarter vibe with Spinningfields quality and a Canal Street welcome," says Cunningham. No Piccadilly Gardens grime then?
The refurbed site will open every day from 10am, offering brunch right through to late evening dining.
A downstairs event space will also welcome local performers, with Taurus hosting events by the Greater Manchester Fringe and Manchester Pride Fringe.
