SLEUTH | New Pub (That Isn't New), Towering Objections, Landlord Solidarity

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. Sometimes Sleuth even gets serious @mcrsleuth

SLEUTH AND THE NEW PUB THAT ISN’T NEW

Sleuth likes pubs. Too many traditional boozers have bitten the dust. The protracted debate over the likely demolition of the Sir Ralph Abercromby is just one example. So he’s pleased the Town Hall Tavern on Tib Lane has been spruced up by the Bermondsey Pub Company. Nice fit out but they need to keep their beer better mind, Sleuth had two ranks pints of Brains’ SA and Bath Ales’ Gem. Food is by Pieminster Pies.

Sleuth remembers leading a pub quiz at the Town Hall Tavern years ago. It was multinational grouping of teams. Sleuth asked, “What female emancipation movement started in Manchester?” All the teams save one got it right, Sleuth accepting the answers ‘Suffragettes’ or ‘Votes for Women’.  The Australian team had had other ideas. They’d come up with the answer of ‘Weightwatchers’. Turns out they’d thought Sleuth had asked about female ‘emaciation’. Sleuth’s pretty sure Weightwatchers don’t self-describe as an emaciation movement.

A new pub (that isn't new)

SLEUTH’S LANDLORD SOLIDARITY

After viewing the St Michael’s proposals mentioned below, Sleuth went to the Rising Sun pub on nearby Lloyd Street for a pint to cheer himself up and got chatting with the landlord. “Just been to see the St Michael’s development ideas and it looks curtains for the Abercromby,” Sleuth said. The landlord sighed. Sleuth expected solidarity and sympathy for the plight of the pub a couple of streets away. “They can knock this place down anytime they want,” said the landlord gloomily, “got another ten bloody years left on the lease.” Sleuth couldn't help barking out a laugh.

"They can knock this place down anytime they want"

SLEUTH'S FAVOURITE OLD RESTAURANT REVIEW

A pal of Sleuth's colleague has a curious hobby; collecting clippings of restaurant reviews. Sleuth was poring over some of the collection earlier this week, and found this one written by Janet Johns and published in the MEN on Wednesday 15 September 1965.

The restaurant in question is The Last Drop in Bromley Cross, Bolton (which interestingly is still going strong). Johns remarks: 'Perhaps it was the sunshine on the moorland, perhaps the atmosphere engendered by the evocative decor and pleasant service, perhaps the excellence of the cold buffet, but I have finally decided that The Last Drop off Hospital Road, Bromley Cross, is my favourite place for eating out.'

Sleuth suggested to the editor that we should go give The Last Drop a review ourselves. "I agree," said Blake, picking up the clipping. "Though I'm not sure even Gordo would get away with that headline."

SLEUTH’S TOWERING OBJECTION

Sleuth went to view the proposals for the St Michaels development from Gary Neville’s consortium at the synagogue on Jackson’s Row. He had a chat with the architects and was again appalled at how high the largest tower will be as it looms over Manchester Town Hall. It will be 429ft (129.8m) compared to the Town Hall spire’s 287ft (87m). The distance from the tallest Neville tower to the Town Hall’s main entrance is a little over 200m. Yes, it will bloody loom. “And why do these towers have to be black?” asked Sleuth. “We didn’t want a paler colour as the building might disappear against the Manchester skies and not be clearly seen,” came the reply. Sleuth thinks, what a fine idea.

The Two Towers of Mordor, sorry Manchester

SLEUTH'S BOUNDARY RESOLUTION

Sleuth was at another public consultation recently, this time for the £110m Factory arts centre which forms the cultural centrepiece of the wider £1.5bn St John's development at Old Granada Studios. Sleuth was discussing the inspiration for the two 'back of house towers' with an architect from OMA - the building's designers.

"The towers take their inspiration from industrial material and warehouse designs, paying reference to the history of the site and its surroundings," said the architect. "We were inspired by the work of Belgian artist Filip Dujardin, who assembles photographs of real buildings into impossible fantasies."

"Hmm, looks like two honking great shanty shacks," replied Sleuth, clearly unimpressing the architect.

Sleuth moved on to Factory's mooted partnership with the Museum of Science and Industry next door, which could see the two cultural institutions join hands beneath the arches of the 1830 viaduct. 

"There was just one or two boundary issues which needed resolution," said the architect.

"From the look of this CGI, looks like negotiations are well underway," said Sleuth, pointing at two dapper chaps having a rumble outside the 1830 Warehouse.

The towering shanty (between the white bit and the brick bit) and two dapper blokes having a rumble

'If I've told you once... the bloody geraniums are on our side'

SLEUTH’S SAUCY DISH

Sleuth went to check up on Thairish in Levenshulme, the curious place with a half Thai, half Irish menu. He had the chicken spinach curry. When it arrived he didn’t know whether to eat it or grope it.

Oo'er

SLEUTH’S SHELVING SOLUTIONS

Sleuth liked Thairish and in the end thought the curry simple but very good. He liked the books on offer as well. These were on the floor and just above the books was a sign. Interesting: it was the first time he’d ever heard of a restaurant appealing for fixtures and fittings.

'We also need a bookcase'

SLEUTH'S FLOWERY FRAGRANCE DESCRIPTION 

Sleuth's colleague, L'Oreal Blackett, was invited this week to visit the new Christian Louboutin beauty boutique in Selfridges. "They're plugging a new perfume," said L'Oreal. "And how did it smell?" asked Sleuth. "Well, I think they put it best," said L'Oreal, passing Sleuth a press release... 

Err ok

SLEUTH'S CLEANER ADVICE ON CROSS STREET

Sleuth was annoyed that few of the places in the city centre he expected to help would iron or press a shirt for him. He tried Stitches and Granada Drycleaners before, finally, Johnson’s on the corner of Cross Street and Princess Street obliged. The outside of the building promoted other activities. Getting the right drycleaners can be very stressful, so this simple advice might help, thought Sleuth.