“Finish what you’re doing and go home,” David Mac was told. “We’re done here.”
He wasn’t the only one to hear that.
Over spring and summer in 2020, thousands of people were getting the same instructions.
The pandemic had done quick and serious damage since its arrival in Britain in March; halting work, shrinking the economy, and leaving millions furloughed or unemployed.
One of the other (many) people left without work was David’s close friend – and best man at his wedding – Aidan.
The pair had originally met during their time in the army, remaining pals long after they’d left the forces to set up their own respective businesses (David in camera installation, Aidan in the security industry).
Coronavirus had taken out both their companies in one fell swoop.
“Everything fizzled out overnight,” Aidan tells us.
“In my line of work, we rely heavily on events that just weren’t happening any more. It really hit us hard.”
Fortunately, army experience gives you the kind of discipline and perspective required to stay cool in a crisis.
Dave and Aidan understood the bigger picture – and they even had an idea of how they might be able to help.
The duo had dedicated years to protecting Britain on the ground. Now, they wanted to guard people from the invisible threat of COVID-19.
Dave and Aidan in their army days
Both Dave and Aidan had purchased PPE in large quantities during the early part of the pandemic – just like many companies across the UK.
During that time, they’d learned a few things.
First, they’d spotted that most PPE was being manufactured in Asia rather than here in Britain – so there was a gap in the market. But most importantly of all, they realised that the industry was surprisingly unscrupulous.
Despite PPE’s new status as a health essential (in some instances required by law) the markup some companies were placing on products was astonishing.
People were being ripped off left, right and centre, and Dave and Aidan wanted to do something to stop it.
“Honestly, there are so many horror stories about people paying hundreds of pounds for bottles of hand sanitiser,” David says, with more than a touch of frustration in his tone.
“People everywhere have been getting let down or overcharged or both.
“It’s not on, to be honest.”
It was clear to David and Aidan that they could provide PPE more effectively – and ethically – than some of the existing suppliers already out there.
As a result, Nightingale PPE was born – a brand that has since supplied all the equipment required during the pandemic (including masks, hand sanitisers, visors, gloves, aprons, and antibacterial wipes) for affordable prices.
Nightingale currently operates out of two locations; one down south and another just around the corner in Manchester.
Clients range from Premiership football clubs, to schools, to local residents – with the duo having also struck partnerships with organisations in the local community (even becoming a sponsor for Romsey Football Club).
They’re also hosted a competition on Facebook – covering the Christmas costs for a deserving family, up to the value of £1,000 – and spoke to the winner on Zoom.
“For us it’s about building relationships,” says David, explaining the Nightingale philosophy.
“Whether it’s a big organisation or an individual – everyone gets the same treatment.
“We make a bit of profit, but what we’re most concerned about is making sure people get a fair deal.”
Nightingale is no flickering candle, either.
As Aidan says, it was never their intention to make a million pound overnight.
“We’re not here to make a quick buck,” he explains.
“We’ve got a national reach now but we want to keep that personal touch.
“Our focus for the future is bringing even more local people into the mix and buying British.”
Nightingale is here for the long haul – doubling its headcount over the past few weeks (with aims to bring in several more members of staff moving ahead).
“We’re trying to build this new business – and we reckon it’s got legs – that is known for what it is: A reliable, trusted place to go for PPE,” Dave tells us.
“There’s four of us here right now, but we’ve got plans to keep growing throughout next year.
“The intention is to create some local jobs and become the go-to place for PPE in the UK.”
They may no longer be in the forces together, but Dave and Aidan’s instinct for protecting people remains very much intact.
Learn more about Nightingale PPE and see what products they have for sale by visiting their website.
The company is also hosting a competition on Facebook for a family in need to win £1,000. Click here to learn more.
Business
The Spirit of Manchester confirms bar closure as Manc hospitality takes another hit
Danny Jones
Manchester has been hit by yet another gutting hospitality closure as The Bar at The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, formerly known as Three Little Words, has confirmed they have shut down effective immediately.
The stunning spot set up as The Spirit of Manchester Distillery’s dedicated, customer-facing city centre venue and second home under the arches, opened back in 2019, offering a cocktail, gin-making and tasting experience, as well as a restaurant.
But fast forward six years, and now the once-beloved Three Little Words bar has sadly closed, largely citing the same economic pressures everyone has faced post-pandemic.
Writing an emotional farewell post on LinkedIn, Spirit of Manchester co-founder and master distiller Seb Heeley said: “This is a post I never thought I’d have to write. 9 years ago, we set out with a dream to build something that would represent the spirit of Manchester from the humble beginning in our dining room.
“We were fortunate enough that people embraced our vision, and 6 years ago we embarked on an over million pound project to bring 6 forgotten, abandoned arches beneath the iconic Manchester Central back to life to show the best the city has to offer.
“Unfortunately, COVID changed the playing field 5 years ago, and over the last 2 years, running a city centre hospitality business, we have been hit with a perfect storm of rising costs, taxes and pressure on customer wallets that has ultimately led to an unsustainable business model.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we have to close our customer-facing operation on Watson Street today. It’s the amazing team that I feel most sorry for, as it’s their commitment over the last 6 years that has made this building feel like our forever home.”
Heeley goes on to say: “If anyone on my network is looking for new recruits, I couldn’t speak highly enough of our whole team. Please get in touch with me about any opening you may have.”
Writing a further statement on the bar’s Instagram page, they described the moment as ‘heartbreaking’, adding that they “couldn’t be prouder of [their] team” and the accolades achieved over the bar’s lifespan, both as Three Little Words and in its most recent iteration.
Seb and his wife, Jen Heeley-Wiggins, say they saw the stunning Watson Street site archway as the “forever home” for the business – it’s not hard to see why.
Having also housed local culinary offerings like Etana, too, it’s sad to see such an eye-catching part of the city’s dining scene fall victim to the ongoing industry pressures and cost-of-living crisis.
Even if you’ve never been, you’ll have passed a bottle of Manchester Gin countless times. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
The pair signed off by saying: “While this is the end for our experience centre site, Manchester Gin will continue to be made in the city and hopefully enjoyed for years to come.
“Obviously, this is a difficult time for all of us, so please bear with us while we go through this transition. Thank you.” Online orders have also been briefly paused as they look to lay out clearer plans for the future, and we can only hope they come through the other side more stable.
In what has been a heartbreaking start to the week, this marks the third high-profile food and drink casualty in central Manchester alone in the space of just the last two days, with the news of Salvi’s shutting their Deansgate Square location being followed up by another NQ closure barely hours later.
Safe to say it’s more apparent than ever that our hospitality sector needs better support and fast.
Salford City FC confirm former Manchester United shirt sponsor as latest commercial partner
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have announced a former Manchester United financial partner and well-known shirt sponsor as their latest commercial partner.
The local League Two, helmed by the consortium consisting of ex-Man United players most commonly known as the ‘Class of ’92’, now share even more in common with the Red Devils beyond just the colour of their shirt and some old personnel.
However, the Greater Manchester side has struggled to progress in recent years, so the owners have continued to look to generate further revenue when it comes to the business off the pitch; cue the return of a familiar logo and, arguably, one of the most recognisable sponsors to ever feature on a footy kit.
While it may not be featuring pride of place on the front of their shirt – that position still belongs to Fireball Whisky following their July 2024 deal – as it once did for Manchester United, Salford City have welcomed the American International Group (AIG) as a new minority equity investor.
Announcing the collaboration on social media, the ambitious Ammies wrote: “AIG’s investment in the Club is a powerful endorsement of the model we’re building, aligning world-class partners with a football-first vision grounded in ambition and long-term commitment.
“Together, we’re accelerating Salford’s next chapter and laying the foundation for lasting success, on and off the pitch.” AIG were paired up with MUFC from the 2006/07 campaign to the end of the 2009/10.
AIG are the first Fortune 500 company to back a League Two outfit in EFL history.
Beyond already being a multi-national insurance group, they were famously partnered with one of the most decorated Man United teams of all-time and therefore share part of the visual legacy by serving as the front-of-shirt sponsor for one of the most iconic shirts of all time.
We’re of course referring to the 2007 home jersey, which was worn by the likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Paul Scholes and more as they won the 2008 UEFA Champions League final, before the kit was kept for 08/09 as well.
Of course, the firm itself is no stranger to sporting crossovers; as well as sponsoring Manchester United at the peak of their powers, they also sponsor the likes of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the AIG Women’s Open and lots more golf in Ireland.
Speaking on the new deal, SCFC co-chair Declan Kelly, added: “Partnering with AIG, a world-class organisation under the outstanding vision and leadership of Chairman and CEO Peter Zaffino, represents another major step forward in the evolution of Salford City FC.
“It proves what’s possible when global investment aligns with a football-first approach. AIG is committed to helping Salford achieve its vision of becoming the best small club in the world, and their investment, both financially and strategically, will help accelerate our next phase of progress.”
With Salford having called for new investors in February 2024, this is the kind of backing they were no doubt hoping for, with AIG also expected to help fund key upgrades to the Peninsula Stadium and more.
As for on the pitch, there’s been plenty of movement in the transfer market already this summer window, with the return of a highly-rated young goalkeeper being one that has delighted fans in particular.
The Manc -
14th December 2020 
