The city’s hospitality industry had done a fantastic job of making their establishments COVID-secure, and apart from the odd ‘covidiot’, these new rules were followed en masse by punters, making for a successful day all round and one to be proud of.
The typical North West weather may have put a damper on ‘Super Saturday’, but the good news is we’re set for the return of some much-needed sunshine this weekend, with clear skies and high temperatures of 21°C across both days, so there really couldn’t be better time to get out and support the varied selection of independents and hospitality businesses that we’re so lucky to have here in Manchester.
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Here’s a few of our top picks for places to enjoy some socially-distanced sunshine in the city this weekend.
Impossible MCR may be best known by night, but with a sun-trap outdoor seating terrace at the heart of Peter Street/Deansgate, it’s also perfect for daytime dining and drinks.
The Impossible MCR kitchen has teamed up with Vietnamese-inspired street food geniuses South Manny Flavaz to deliver dishes “like you’ve never tasted before” and they even offer a sensational Sunday Dinner too, that features everything you know and love about the traditional roast, but with a seasoned twist.
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Impossible MCR is open from 12pm-late this Saturday and Sunday, and you’ll need to book for drinks/dining via the website here.
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A number of other popular Great Northern hangouts have also already opened their doors, or are planning to do so in the coming weeks too.
Mark Schofield, Centre Director at Great Northern, said: “We look forward to welcoming Manchester locals to the site as lockdown begins to ease and as our fantastic range of resident brands begin to reopen for business. Everyone here as pulled together to make sure the site is a safe space in which to relax, wine, dine and enjoy some much-needed leisure time.”
“We’ll be monitoring government guidelines around social distancing and other safety measures closely to ensure we’re implementing the latest advice and are excited to see the Great Northern come to life once more as each of our residents reopens over the coming weeks”.
If you’re looking for a touch of class to go along with your sunshine this weekend, then you really can’t get much better than the one-of-a-kind rooftop terrace at 20 Stories MCR.
Sitting right at the top of No.1 Spinningfields, sky high dining is always on the cards at 20 Stories, come rain or shine, but this weekend’s sunny weather is sure to brighten up your evening.
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Advanced booking is required, which you can do so here.
For more information, as well as COVID-safe guidelines ahead of your visit, visit the website here.
ZOUK offers some of the most authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine in Manchester, but it also boasts a large outdoor seating area – which now follows all necessary social distancing guidelines – making it top of the list for anyone after a hearty meal to enjoy in the sunshine this weekend.
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Our mouths are watering just thinking about it.
Booking in advance of your visit to ZOUK is required, which you can do so here, and you can specify an outdoor terrace table too.
For more information, visit the ZOUK website here.
There isn’t a sun-trap quite like The Oast House elsewhere in Manchester.
Whilst the usual buzz of those large crowds may be a little on the quieter side this year in the name of safety and social distancing, that summertime Oast House experience and classic Mancunian spirit is sure to have not gone away, and the same great food and drinks menu is still going strong.
Booking ahead is required – which you can do so here – and for more information, visit the The Oast House website here.
Foundry Project is a beloved Northern Quarter hotspot for a reason, and the outdoor seating terrace – which catches every spot of sunlight that shines down on the city – is just one of its many highlights.
Whether you fancy wining and dining, or just grabbing a bite and a pint, you can now book your table at the Foundry Project, specifically for the outdoor terrace, here.
For more information and safety guidelines ahead of your visit, head to the Foundry Project website here.
Ever-popular Northern Quarter hangout PLY opened its doors to the people of Manchester last weekend and it’s set for round two today, only this time, it’s debuting a new socially-distanced outdoor courtyard, so it’s the perfect place to hit up if your after a pizza and a pint in the sun this weekend.
There’s also a NEW brunch menu that’s well worth checking out too.
Here’s a sneak peak at that outdoor courtyard.
PLY
Booking is always advised ahead of your trip to PLY – which you can do so here.
For more information, as well as details on social distancing measures and COVID-safe guidelines, visit the PLY website here.
Home Sweet Home, sitting in the heart of the Northern Quarter, always has a selection of outdoor tables available all year round, but has recently debuted its “shiny new outside area” after reopening doors to the public last Saturday.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and some sunshine in mind, get yourself down to Home Sweet Home this weekend.
It’s always best to book ahead, which you can do here, and for more information ahead of your trip, visit the Home Sweet Home website here.
Bunny Jacksons, tucked away on Jack Rosenthal Street, is of course home to the famous ’10p wing’, but it’s also home to a popular sunny, (and now socially-distanced), outdoor seating area that’s perfect for catching a few rays this weekend.
There’s never any need to book at Bunny Jacksons, so just rock up, remember to adhere to all social distancing guidelines, and hope for the best.
For more information, visit the Bunny Jacksons website here.
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Haven’t found somewhere that takes your fancy? For a full list of bars and restaurants that have now reopened their doors to the good people of Manchester, you can have a read of our rundown list here.
The Manc is helping local businesses and venues get back on their feet after lockdown with our #BuzzingToBeBack campaign – offering as much support and exposure for Manchester hospitality as possible.
Read more about what we’re doing for the industry here.
Prince Andrew set to lose titles and leave Royal Lodge residence
Danny Jones
Prince Andrew is officially set to lose his royal titles and vacate his current residence, as per a direct communication from Buckingham Palace.
Most crucially, the statement makes a rather notable acknowledgement of the abuse claims still looming over the 65-year-old.
The decision was shared by the Royal Family and the likes of the BBC on Thursday evening, 30 October, with confirmation that the King’s brother will no longer be known as a prince, nor will he live at the Royal Lodge in Berkshire.
With countless people reacting online, this public address is a watershed moment for the monarchy.
BREAKING: The man once know as Prince, to be called Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He is also out of Royal Lodge and going to Sandringham pic.twitter.com/RGT2NRgU7h
The official update on behalf of King Charles III reads as follows: “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.
Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.
“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
You can find out more about the formal process now said to be underway in more detail down below.
As yet, there has been no official response from Andrew Windsor or his representative regarding the breaking news.
Elsewhere, it is said that his daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, will retain their own royal titles, as they are still the daughters of the son of a Sovereign (in accordance with King George V’s Letters Patent of 1917).
As for the now former Duke of York, the King’s younger brother and third child of the late Queen Elizabeth II, he is now preparing to relocate and settle into the royal estate at Sandringham.
This move is being privately paid for by the King, according to reports.
Salford Red Devils supporters meet winding-up adjournment with a petition of their own
Danny Jones
Large numbers of Salford Red Devils supporters are currently rallying behind the push to remove their current ownership group, meeting yet another delay to the winding-up petition with a petition of their own: one that would see the owners kicked out of the club, full stop.
Shared online yesterday, the ‘Salford Red Devils Fans Against Jacobsen Venture Group’ (JVG) petition has amassed more than 1,000 signatures and is rapidly gaining traction.
But these supposed assurances all sound far too familiar and are clearly no longer enough for most fans. They no longer care about future investment from those currently behind the scenes: they just want them gone for good.
For context, in addition to more than £700,000 in outstanding fees owed to HMRC, the 152-year-old sporting organisation is also estimated to owe in excess of £5m to various other creditors.
As a result, after a third stay of execution earlier this week – but one that has done little more than prolong this long-drawn-out uncertainty – most fans have simply had enough.
Following up with a lengthy open letter on Wednesday evening, 29 October, the increasingly militant fan group known as The 1873 said of the potential new funding, “Let us be absolutely clear, we have heard all of this before.”
Even poking holes in the board’s own statement, noting that it suggests that “funding has been formally secured” before noting that it has not yet officially arrived.
“This kind of vague language”, they say, “is exactly what supporters have been subjected to for months: a cycle of empty promises and missed deadlines.
Helping spearhead the ‘JVG Out’ petition, leading member Nick Holt went on to tell BBC Sport Manchester that the patience and blind faith have simply run out.
🗣️ "We do not want these within our club"
Salford Red Devils' owners announced they have secured new funding to settle outstanding debts and clear a winding-up petition against them.
The 1873 went on to write: “Back in September, the same individuals told the courts that funding would arrive ‘within 10 days’. It never did. In August, at the meeting with The 1873, they claimed money would be in place by the end of that month. It wasn’t.
“Every single time, the same promise and every single time, the same failure to deliver. False hope and no real investment. It is vital [that] supporters understand what is actually being proposed. The owners are not clearing the club’s debts, including the millions they have personally run up.
“Instead, they intend to roll all debts into one high-interest loan, a move that only deepens the long-term financial hole. How do they plan to service such a loan? Next season, the club’s central distribution is set to drop from around £1.3 million to less than £100,000.”
Noting that the recent IMG grading drop and subsequent relegation from the Betfred Super League will mean a significant drop in revenues across the board, they have quite rightly asked where the higher-ups expect to find the funds to make their already heavily overdue repayments.
“Season ticket sales are expected to collapse under the current ownership”, they continue, “and major commercial sponsors will not associate with this regime.
“To claim that this ‘funding’ secures the future of a 152-year-old club is not just misleading, it is an insult to every supporter who has kept this club alive through generations.”
A petition like this and further demonstrations were guaranteed from the moment Salford Red Devils were relegated.
The impassioned response from the group signs off by adding: “The ownership’s reference to a so-called ‘strategic plan’ for a return to Super League in 2027 is beyond belief. Where is this plan? Why has it not been shared with supporters?
“At this moment, there is no head coach for 2026, no contracted players, and no football department infrastructure. To talk about a Super League return within two years is pure fantasy […] The reality is simple: This ownership group has repeatedly failed to deliver on its promises.
“It has mismanaged and misled, time and again. Every new statement only confirms how detached they are from the damage they continue to cause.”
Most drastically, they insist that supporters will no longer “be fooled” nor continue to recognise the current ‘stewards’ failing to live up to that title by giving their own time and money to the regime, urging fellow fans to refrain from renewing season tickets, purchasing any merchandise, or attending games.
It’s a bold stance, to be sure, but it’s clear that those most fiercely loyal of supporters are looking to wrestle back control however they can; if you’re one of them, you can sign the petition HERE.
The Manc -
10th July 2020 
