One of Manchester’s most popular beer bars has confirmed its closure, leaving locals ‘gutted’.
Rumours have been swirling about the future of The Brink, which never reopened after lockdown, for months.
The subterranean drinking den on Bridge Street has now confirmed what many suspected – the bar won’t be returning.
In a post shared across social media, the team said they were ‘really sad’ about the closure.
The bar was famed for its selection of local real ale, only pouring beers that had been brewed within 25 miles of the bar itself.
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The Brink was hidden off street level on Bridge Street. Credit: Facebook, The Brink MCR
It also had renowned street artist Qubek paint a mural of bees on the stairs down to the venue.
The Brink has been largely silent on social media since the pandemic shuttered hospitality back in March 2020.
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Their last update was in June of that year, shortly before the first lockdown ended, where they wrote: “As we’ve heard this arvo, boozers are set to reopen. We don’t feel we can do what WE do, while social distancing is the guidance. Y’know us – Sociable and jovial AR.
“When we feel it’s safe for customers and staff, we’ll be back. Make no mistake. Until then, stay safe. BrinkSquad.”
But The Brink has now broken its silence, saying: “We know there’s been a bit of chatter recently, but we wanted to say hello and for this to come from us.
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“Now that we’re allowed to discuss matters, The Brink won’t be returning and we’re really sad about that.”
They went on to encourage their followers to share memories of the bar, writing: “We wanted to close our chapter remembering the beer we supped, the friends we made and the mischief caused ’neath 65 Bridge Street.
“We’re going to share some pics before the accounts close for good, so please join in with yours.
“Fancy a drink? I remember a place called The Brink.
“Stay jovial as fuck. BRINKSQUAD.”
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Hundreds have responded over the weekend lamenting the loss of the ‘perfect’ little bar, which first opened in 2016.
One person wrote: “Really sad to see The Brink close, easily my favourite pub in Manchester…OK who am I kidding my favourite pub full stop. All the best for the future guys.”
Another commented: “We loved The Brink, thanks for many many good nights. Good luck with whatever the future brings.”
Someone else shared: “Loved the warm welcome, good ale and the Manchester eggs I used to stash in my handbag for the end of the night.”
A fan of The Brink said: “I’m gutted about this. Was easily the best place for me in Manchester. Staff were always awesome. Steve was an amazing knowledgeable guy on the subject of beer.”
Over on Instagram, someone said: “My best memory of your place ( apart from the beer ) 2 mates and I me way more pissed than them emerged from the gas lamp walked across the road. . Somehow I convinced door staff I was fine ( my mates were ) I was leathered. Having conned their trust to gain entry I proceeded to fall from top to bottom of your stairs. Bonus was , got to spend the night in a great bar, drinking great ale!!!”
Another wrote: “A welcome break was a Thursday pie and a pint for lunch in the Brink. Sorry Covid killed a lovely venue off and hope you are all doing new enjoyable things that keep the wolf from the door. Bloody good job I left that job during lockdown wouldn’t be the same going back 🙂 Stay well guys.”
Featured image: Facebook, The Brink MCR
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Trams are officially coming to Stockport as part of £2.5bn investment package
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Stockport is finally getting trams.
It’s been a long time coming, so long, in fact, that rumours first began swirling all the way back in July 2022 when then Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted at in PMQs, all before Mayor Andy Burnham insisted in October 2023 that he had ‘big ambitions’ to deliver the project once and for all, but now it’s finally been confirmed.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has today revealed that Stockport will be connected to the Metrolink tram network thanks to a £2.5 billion funding boost from the Government.
At this moment in time, Stockport is one of only a few boroughs in the region that’s not currently connected up to the expansive Metrolink network, but all of that is set to change very soon, as Greater Manchester is beginning the construction of the town’s very-first tram line.
It will help deliver:
🐝 Eight rail lines and 64 stations into the capped system by 2028
🐝 A new tram line to Stockport
🐝 A new tram-train service connecting Bury, Heywood, Rochdale and Oldham
While the intention for trams to eventually travel to and from the town has been known for quite some time now, there hasn’t been much talk of timelines or when this would actually become a reality.
For now, it seems there’s still no timelines as such, but at least there’s confirmation.
The confirmation that trams will be coming to Stockport forms part of a lineup of exciting transport announcements this week, all of which Andy Burnham has called a ‘game-changing moment’ that will ‘underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth’ for years to come.
Trams are officially coming to Stockport as part of a £2.5 billion investment package / Credit: TfGM
Other announcements include the fact that Greater Manchester‘s Bee Network is to become a fully-electric, zero-emission public transport system by 2030, local rail lines will be brought into the Bee Network before the end of the decade, fully joining up bike, bus, tram, and train travel for the first time outside London, and the introduction of new electric buses, tram lines, tram stops, and transport interchanges.
North Manchester, Bury, and Oldham are the areas set to receive new Metrolink stops to support delivery of thousands of new homes, and Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood, and Bury will all be connected to each other via the Bee Network.
“Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham as the funding package was announced this week.
The Bee Network become a fully-electric, zero-emission public transport system by 2030 / Credit: TfGM
“With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram, and train travel.
“Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average, and this funding can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come.
“It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region.”
Featured Image – TfGM
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Police still searching for answers six months after remains of baby girl found in Little Hulton park
Emily Sergeant
Six months on after the remains of a baby girl were found in a park in Little Hulton, police are still searching for answers.
It was on 20 November 2024 that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) received a call from a member of the public reporting the discovery of what appeared to be human remains in a park in the Little Hulton area of Salford – but it was only when officers and detectives attended the scene that they determinted the remains to be that of a baby girl.
At the time, police referred to the baby simply as ‘Baby A’, but it’s now be confirmed that they chose to name her Ava.
Since that day, a dedicated team from GMP’s Major Incident Team has worked ‘tirelessly’ to uncover the truth about who Baby Ava was and what led to her being left alone.
Detectives have followed up on hundreds of public tips, conducted thousands of hours of house-to-house enquiries, reviewed extensive CCTV footage, and collaborated with police forces and agencies across the country in pursuit of identifying who baby Ava was and securing justice for her… but as of yet, there are no answers.
Police are still searching for answers six months after the remains of a baby girl found in a Little Hulton park / Credit: Google Maps
Information from the public also led police to speak with potential witnesses nationwide, and time was also spent trawling the national missing person database, focusing on cases involving females who were potentially pregnant and reported missing, yet these were unsuccessful.
To this day, police continue to work closely with a range of experts.
Currently, a botanist is helping detectives determine how long Ava may have been at the discovery site, and work is continuing with an anthropologist, archaeologist, and specialists in dental and bone analysis to establish Ava’s age and ethnicity.
As investigations continue at a rapid pace, police have reissued their appeal to the public for information.
Police have since named the baby Ava as their search for answers continues / Credit: GMP
“We will never forget Baby Ava, and despite the challenges in the investigation, we’re committed to uncovering the truth,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley, from GMP’s Major Incident Team. “We are more determined than ever to find who Ava is, who her parents are, and all of the possible scenarios and circumstances which have led Ava to being separated from them.
“I know how heartbreaking this case has been for the communities of Greater Manchester and beyond. The support and compassion we’ve received has been unwavering, and we share the sadness felt for Ava as we continue our search for answers so that we can lay her to rest.
“If you are baby Ava’s mum, please know that you are not alone. You can contact us directly or ask someone you trust to reach out on your behalf. We want to help you.”
Anyone with any information that may be of assistance is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24, or by heading to the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2022 
