YES, of course, this was an April Fools day yarn. Sam's is here for the long haul despite the suffering from the roadworks.
A Manchester institution is to disappear.
For many months we have been overshadowed by a huge tent, blighted by blocked roads and fought with the daily dust and noise
After a raft of new restaurant openings across the city centre, a Manchester classic has been defeated by the ‘Second City Crossing’ for Metrolink. The large canvas structure covering the old burial ground of Cross Street Chapel has been a particular problem. This covers the exhumations taking place there as we revealed in this story back in August.
Roger Ward, owner of Sam’s Chop House, told Confidential: “Just three weeks ago the public voted Sam’s Chop House on Chapel Walks the best dining pub in Manchester. So it is with great sadness that we have to tell that same public that we have no choice but to close Sam’s at the end of this week. We are sorry for this, but at least we can say we went out on a high.
“We have had a good run since we opened our doors in 1872, but the road works from the new tram have finally beaten us.
“We’ve tried to battle it with our #Trampocalypse campaign, but even our bravest fans have failed to see past the surrounding road works. For many months we have been overshadowed by a huge tent, blighted by blocked roads and fought with the daily dust and noise.
“So thank you Manchester and thanks to our loyal customers. Please pop in to Sam’s, before we close, to toast the fact that at least we’ve gone down fighting.”
This is a terrible day for Manchester city centre and shows a scene that goes up can also come down.
We asked a regular what he thought of the closure. Stephen Lowry, who has his own place by the bar, said: "It's a real tragedy. I've been showing my metal by supporting this pub for years and now where will I go? This pub is as much a part of Manchester as the Town Hall."
More is revealed by Roger Ward in the video below.
