Owners of a popular Manchester restaurant in the heart of the city’s Gay Village have made the difficult decision to call it a day and will be shutting up their longstanding Canal Street venue for good.
Owners of No. 1 Canal Street Lisa Kettle and Danielle Condron, who also run a pub called The Bridge in Sale, revealed they would be closing both venues in a heartfelt message shared on social media on Tuesday night (10 January).
No. 1 Canal Street first opened as a bar and restaurant in Manchester in 2017 and, two years later, was named Manchester’s best restaurant at the 2019 British Restaurant Awards.
The pair said it was a ‘very hard decision’ and implied that it was ‘difficult times’ that had spurred them to make the call to close both businesses.
image: No. 1 Canal Street
image: No. 1 Canal Street
The full post, which has been shared on No. 1 Canal Street’s Facebook page, said: “It is with great sadness we have had to close both No 1 & The Bridge today. We would like to thank you all for your amazing support over the last 6 years. This has been a very hard decision during these difficult times.
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“We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to our amazing customers, and the team that has made everything possible. Lots of love, Danni and Lisa xx”
A similar statement was also posted on The Bridge’s social media page the same evening, reading: “It is with great sadness we have had to close both The Bridge & No 1 today. We would like to thank you all for your amazing support over the last 6 years.
“This has been a very hard decision during these difficult times. We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to our amazing customers, and the team that has made everything possible.”
Bookings are now closed on the No. 1 Canal Street restaurant website.
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The posts have been flooded with comments of love and support since going up, with one person writing: “This place has been our No 1 for years, Food and Staff were Perfect every time. We’ve been there twice in the past few weeks.
“On our last visit without getting too political the Manager did say the rail strikes had had a massive effect on footfall and turnover, with increasing costs too it’s so hard for smaller businesses. It must of been so difficult to make this call. Thank you for being such a great venue xx”
Another person wrote: “Terrible news. No1 was a welcome addition to the village and have enjoyed many meals and drinks there over the years. Best wishes for the future, but the venue will be missed.”
A third said: “Seeing all the people saying how sad it is.. and it is. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL VENUES AND NOT WETHERSPOONS”
A fourth added: “Our favourite restaurant in town. Really sorry to read this; wishing you all the best for whatever comes next. Thanks for some great, relaxed times – and tasty grub served by friendly, kind people.”
Feature image – No. 1 Canal Street
News
Popular bar chain The Alchemist to rewind back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 next month
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s most popular bar chains is celebrating its sweet 16th birthday next month by winding back to 2010.
Money is always tight in January, right?
Once Christmas is over with, and so is the festive feasting and drinking, many like to use the first month of the new year to lay low and save some money back up – which is why The Alchemist is launching a limited-edition ‘2010 Revival Menu’, bringing back some of its most iconic early cocktails and dishes – all at their original prices from 16 years ago.
For the whole month, you can enjoy the curated throwback selection starting from £6, which i perfectly timed for a month of saving without sacrificing going out.
The Alchemist is rewinding back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 / Credit: The Manc Group
The 2010 Revival Menu includes the return of the fan-favourite White Chocolate Raspberry Martini for £6 on the cocktail menu, which was an early Alchemist staple, alongside other fan-favourites like the Colour Changing One and Virgin Pornstar, both for £6 again.
When it comes to food dishes for £6, you can tuck into a selection of different refreshing salads, while stretching your budget up to £10 will get you things like Chicken in a Basket, a Cheeseburger, and Fish and Chips.
Other iconic Alchemist cocktails returning for a fraction of the price next month include the popular Smoky Old Fashioned, and Dead Read Zombie – both for £8.
The Alchemist opened its original bar in Manchester‘s swanky Spinningfields district all the way back in 2010, and quickly became a popular and stylish destination with its high ceilings and industrial features, and has since developed into a much larger chain – with not only more Manchester destinations, but others across the UK too.
Macclesfield FC player Ethan McLeod tragically killed in car crash
Danny Jones
Local footballer Ethan McLeod, who played for Macclesfield FC, has sadly died following a tragic car crash on the motorway.
The Birmingham-born player and former Wolves academy talent was driving back home from Macclesfield’s away game against Bedford Town on Tuesday night when he was involved in a collision along the M1.
Just 21 years old, the talented Cheshire-based forward was a substitute in the 2-1 win over the East Midlands side in the National League North.
The accident is said to have occurred at around 10:40pm on 16 December near Northampton after his white Mercedes collided with a barrier.
You can read the official Silkmen statement in full down below:
“With the heaviest of hearts and an overwhelming sense of surrealism that Macclesfield FC can confirm the passing of 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod.
Travelling back from Bedford Town last night, Ethan was involved in a car accident on the M1, which tragically took his life. Ethan was an incredibly talented and well-respected member of our First Team Squad, who had his whole life ahead of him.
“But more than that, Ethan’s infectious personality endeared him to everyone that he came into contact with. In giving his all in everything he did, Ethan effortlessly pushed us all to be the best we can be – both on and off the pitch.
“Ethan’s professionalism and unwavering work ethic inspired everyone, and his lust for life put smiles on all our faces – even on the darkest of days. News of Ethan’s passing has devastated our entire Club, and no words can convey the immense sense of sadness and loss that we feel now.
Rest in peace, Ethan McLeod.
The Macclesfield FC forward was involved in a car accident that took his life when travelling back from Bedford Town on Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/A3u7JFmdlE
“The deep mental scars elicited from Ethan’s passing will undeniably never heal”, they continued, “but one thing is for sure, and that is Ethan’s vibrant legacy will never fade, no matter how much time passes in the future.
“Ethan will live in our hearts and minds forevermore, and no matter what the future holds, his unique smile that mesmerised us all will never be forgotten.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ethan’s family and friends at this deeply traumatic time, together with an assurance that we will provide as much support as we can to those who need it. May you rest in peace, Ethan – you will forever be a Silkman.
His past clubs, as well as plenty of other teams, organisations and people in and around the footballing world, are paying tribute to the promising youngster.
Rest in peace.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Macclesfield forward Ethan McLeod who has passed away following a car accident last night.
The 21 year old spent a number of years with the academy setup at Wolves and will be missed by many. #WWFCpic.twitter.com/MSjKaISMKT
Georgina Pellant -
11th January 2023 
xx” 
