Sleuth is a sideways glance at the city every week, it's the truth, but Sleuth's truth. He's several people all at once. Sleuth sometimes even gets serious.@mcrsleuth
THE COUNCIL LEADER MAKES A CONFESSION
Sleuth hears Council Leader Sir Richard Leese was meeting potential sponsors for Manchester International Festival this week including those associated with buildings and property. Often Sir Howard Bernstein is at such events, for example he loves the MIPIM property convention in Cannes, which each year features a major Manchester presence. Not this time, not for the Manchester International Festival event, where Sleuth hears, Sir Richard Leese joshed: “Unlike my Chief Executive I like the arts.”
THE COUNCIL ADMITS TRUTH ABOUT HOME
Sir Richard Leese was proving his love of the arts on Thursday at the opening of HOME. At the launch he said, “There are three reasons for creating HOME. This venue leads to the larger regeneration of the area and will reinforce the creative sector which employs 85,000 in Manchester. Thirdly, why do this in an age of austerity? The answer is easy. Who the hell would want to live in a city without arts and culture.” Well said, says Sleuth.
SLEUTH'S HOME LAUNCH VIEWS OF THE WEEK
Some pretty pics of the opening event at HOME, including one of Oscar-winning Danny Boyle, the main patron of HOME. Sleuth says thanks to @horwichhughes for the views from the top of the multi-storey car park here.
Sir Richard Leese addresses his people
Danny Boyle, Oscar winner, meets a man
HOME boss, Dave Moutrey, waits to speak, hoping he doesn't say 'Cornerhouse' instead of HOME.jpg)
ENIHANA INTEREST IN MCR
Sleuth hears Florida-based global Japanese restaurant group Benihana - founded in 1964 by wacko restaurateur and wrestler Rocky Aoki - are eyeing up Manchester for their first move out of London. The group currently operates over 110 restaurants (under franchise), including three London restaurants in Piccadilly, Chelsea and St Paul’s. Rocky was a pioneer of the theatrical, knife-happy, prawn-chucking chef, one of whom once tried to in a fun fashion launch a potato at Sleuth in Castlefield’s Sapporo Teppanyaki, only for Sleuth to dodge it. This caused caused consternation on the table behind as the spud made contact with an octogenarian Corrie fan.
SLEUTH KEEPS HIS MIND ON THE J....
Sleuth learns this is Dementia Awareness Week from a Law Society press release. Apparently legal experts are reminding people of the importance of getting their family affairs in order sooner rather than...er...what was Sleuth saying...who are you?
SLEUTH AND THE TENTS OF FLATULENCE
Sleuth was conducting a guided tour this week with a lovely group of visitors from across the globe. They were loving the city. As Sleuth’s group passed one of the Homeless protestor’s tents in St Ann’s Square a tremendous fart rang out from the closed canvas, ripping the tranquil morning as rudely as a curse in a crematorium. The group looked shocked. “Jeez, I didn't know it was that windy in Manchester,” said the Australian visitor.
REVOLUTION ON EDGE STREET
Northern Quarter’s vegan junk food caff V Rev looks to be leaving the dark end of Oldham Street and moving 325 metres west onto Edge Street. The American-style punkish diner - which serves mainly ‘beef’burgers (soy protein), ‘ham’dogs (soy protein) and ‘cheese’ (coconut, erm, protein?) – will move into the new Bollin House behind Almost Famous and Luck Lust Liquor & Burn, more or less opposite the new Yard & Coop fried chicken place opening shortly. Ah thinks Sleuth, a case of three meat and one veg then.
NEW RAIL ALE TRAIL
Sleuth thanks the good people at The Chiverton Tap for this suggestion. 'Here's a good rail ale tour. Close to Piccadilly Station start at the Piccadilly Tap. Then it's Levenshulme and Fred's Ale House, on to Heaton Moor and Heaton Hops, next Stockport's Spinning Top, into Cheadle Hulme's The Chiverton Tap and finishing off at Wilmslow's The Old Dancer.' Sleuth loves the idea. Come one everyone let's meet at Piccadilly Tap at 5pm. Who's coming?
VICTORIA STATION’S SURPRISING NEW FURNITURE
Sleuth never thinks of the rail authorities as overly generous when it comes to customer comfort, so he was somewhat surprised to see the new seating arrangements at Victoria Station. Network Rail must have been stung by the editor’s criticism here. Or maybe they are really living up to that catchy slogan, “We’re going to make Victoria posh?”
SLEUTH’S DEMOLITION PICS OF THE WEEK
Sleuth loves demolition, it appeals to the Genghis Khan in him. He’d love to have a go with that monster machine snapping at Quay House on Quay Street. Knock, knock? Who’s there? Sleuth with his big wrecking ball.
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