Manchester’s beloved gastropub Sam’s Chop House has confirmed it will be reopening to the public soon, following many long months of closure.
The historic 154-year-old pub is famous for a sculputre of artist L.S. Lowry that sits proudly in its bar and for its corned beef hash – which takes ten days to make and has previously been voted one of Manchester’s top ten dishes.
It’s also known for cooking up other traditional gastropub delights like beef suet pudding, steak, epic roast dinners and battered fish with triple cooked chips.
In a statement posted to its social media channels on Sunday, owner Roger Ward confirmed the pub would be reopening this February – stating this would be “hopefully in less than two weeks. And certainly in time for Valentine’s Day.”
Having closed in order to aid works to Cavendish House, the building in which it is based, the pub will soon fling open its doors to deliver its modern take on British classics to hungry Mancunians once again.
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Speaking on the reopening, its owner confirmed that the pub would continue to work with local suppliers in order to cook with the freshest produce.
He also said that its love of fine wines would continue to be a focus, heralding the return of legendary sommelier George Bergier who, at the tender age of 75, has been “serving Manchester’s top tables and top people for 54 years now.”
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The corned beef is brined for ten days before being put into this famous dish at Sam’s Chop House, due to return to the menu imminently / Image: Sam’s Chop House
Confirming that George would return to host Thursday and Friday’s lunchtime services, Roger added:
“The team will be led by general manager Sam Hernandez and Head Chef Scott Munro supported by some familiar faces. We’ll tell you more about them in the days to come.”
In 2015, the pub had joked as part of an April Fool’s Day prank that it was to permanently close – causing great consternation amongst its loyal band of followers. Little did we know back then that it would happen for real.
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The man, the myth, the legend – George Bergier, the brilliant Chop House sommelier who’s been serving Manchester for over 50 years. / Image: Sam’s Chop House
Fortunately, this time the closure was only temporary – and now it appears that fans won’t have to wait long to sit and enjoy a pint at the bar with Lowry once again.
It’s not the first time that the pub has been reopened by Mr. Ward, who relaunched itin 2001 four years after it was shuttered by its former corporate owners.
Promising to “build back better than we were before”, he said, “our family business will be joining the movement to rebuild Manchester city centre.”
The suet pudding at Sam’s Chop House is another stand-out customer favourite, and for good reason. / Image: Sam’s Chop House
Nodding to the pub’s longstanding history he added, “When Samuel Studd opened his doors for the first time in 1868 there were 13 chop houses in the city.
“More than 150 years later his business has seen two world wars, the Great Depression of the 1930s and two global pandemics.
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“Only two of the original chop houses are still standing. And they are still independent.”
Mr. Ward also used to own the Albert Square Chop House, but this was sold to London pub operator The Metropolitan Pub Company, a Green King pub retailer, last year and has since relaunched as The Fountainhouse.
Feature image – Sam’s Chop House.
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Transformational plans set to be approved for ‘major’ new Manchester city centre park
Emily Sergeant
‘Transformational’ plans to regenerate an underused Manchester city centre site are set to be approved next week.
Following ‘overwhelming’ public support for proposals set out in a public consultation earlier this year – where more than 90% of respondents supported the key principles – Manchester City Council says its executive is expected approve an ambitious vision for the Water Street neighbourhood at a meeting next week (Weds 8 July).
The Water Street Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) is set to create a city centre district developed around a new urban park.
The SRF is described as being a ‘high-level blueprint’ for future investment that will guide development through the planning process.
The plans are comprised of a new landscape-led neighbourhood that combines homes – including 20% of them being ‘affordable’ – improved public spaces, enhanced walking and cycling connections, and ‘significant’ new green infrastructure centred around the River Medlock.
Sustainability was highlighted as an area of importance to local residents in the consultation, and to meet these demands, the plans include increased biodiversity, sustainable drainage features, and a largely car-free neighbourhood to support Manchester’s zero-carbon ambitions, as well as the new urban park being at the heart of it all.
The new neighbourhood will also offer plenty of new jobs, skills, and investment opportunities.
“The wider Water Street area has seen major regeneration in recent years with world-class investment at St John’s and Aviva Studios on its doorstep, alongside impressive residential developments,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration.
“This renewed regeneration framework will help guide investment to bring this area up to the same ambitious level with new housing, including affordable housing to create an inclusive new neighbourhood, complemented by a brand-new city centre urban park.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council (Supplied)
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Shoppers warned of huge queues as £6.2m P.Louise beauty megastore opens at Trafford Palazzo
Daisy Jackson
The P.Louise City megastore will open its doors in Manchester this weekend, and shoppers are already being warned that it will be BUSY.
The cult beauty brand launches its world-first immersive makeup destination on Sunday 5 July at the Trafford Palazzo.
Founder Paige Williams has set out to create a retail space that mimics the childlike wonder you feel when stepping into a Disney park.
Expect elaborate pink zones like a P.Louise City supermarket, a girly tiled bathroom, a hair salon, a pharmacy, and even a cinema.
Shoppers will be able to visit a petrol station where you can make a beauty driving licence and pose with petrol pumps, a florist where you can design your own scented body mist, and a bank vault with giant golden keys hanging from the ceiling, where top members can unlock exclusive gold Bad Bitch Energy lip kits.
There’s an entire section of the store dedicated to those hit Bad Bitch Energy lip kits, with shelves and shelves of flavours and scents, and the chance to make your own custom lip oil complete with charms.
As you get lost in the huge 19,000 sq ft space, there are cult products to discover in every corner like foaming cleansers, Juicy Drip lip care sets, setting powders and liquid blushes.
The entire P.Louise City shop is decorated with details like flower-filled phone boxes, giant bubbles, heart-shaped traffic lights, mirrored benches, and postboxes, all in dizzying shades of pink and gold.
P.Louise founder Paige Williams in P.Louise CityIt’s a 19,000 sq ft, two-storey megastoreThe P.Louise cinemaPhoto opportunities like a skate rampThe P.Louise florist, where you can customise a body mistInside the ‘pharmacy’The P.Louise petrol stationA bank vault at P.Louise CityTop members can unlock a gold Bad Bitch Energy lip kitThe girls’ bathroom at P.Louise CityThe P.Louise City salonThere’s even a supermarket inside
Going well beyond retail, P.Louise City has bookable VIP party rooms, a cafe serving coffees, ear piercing, and photo opportunities like a skate ramp, as well as a packed programme of events and masterclasses.
Founder Paige said she wanted to create a space so over-the-top, other-worldly and glamorous, it feels like it’s been created by AI.
Signs are now up around the Trafford Centre and Trafford Palazzo ahead of the P.Louise launch predicting large queues, with extra crowd management measures in place.
The first 250 customers through the door who spend £20 or more will receive an exclusive gift box, and queues will open from 6am.
If you’re planning to brave the crowds, you can see all the launch day info you need HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
31st January 2022 
