One of Manchester’s best-loved streetwear retailers is reportedly “expected” to close the doors to its Northern Quarter store.
Oi Polloi has been an iconic fixture on Thomas Street since it first opened back in 2002.
Long considered a vanguard of Mancunian style, the cult menswear store has become a cultural institution, and was known for perfectly combining the relationship of exchange between Manchester’s music and fashion scenes – with the likes of Liam Gallagher, Ian Brown, and Bernard Sumner being counted among some of its regular customers over the years.
But as fashion fans will remember, the independent brand was bought out by JD Sports back in May 2021 under former chairman and CEO Peter Cowgill – who stepped down from the business a year later, before returning as a business consultant in September 2022.
Beloved Northern Quarter streetwear store Oi Polloi ‘expected’ to close its doors / Credit: Oi Polloi
It’s also understood, according to Drapers Online, that Oi Polloi founders Steve Sanderson and Nigel Lawson had previously “considered approaching JD Sports for a possible buy-out of the fashion retailer”, but that the sports retail giant had no intention of selling the business, and will be retaining the Northern Quarter site to operate from it.
JD Sports is said to be keen to keep the Manchester location and global customer base.
ADVERTISEMENT
The sad news of Oi Polloi’s closure comes after Wellgosh in Leicester – which is a similar indie menswear brand also owned by JD Sports – also closed its doors last week after 35 years in business – with the store unit set to change to one of JD’s outlier brands, Size?.
It also comes after JD is noted to have been changing its business model since the appointment of new chief executive Régis Schultz back in August 2022, with Shultz unveiling a strategy last month to operate under the key brands that represent 90% of JD’s total revenue.
Those brands are JD, Shoe Palace and DTLR, Sprinter and Sport Zone, Go Outdoors, Sizeer / 50 Styles, Footpatrol, and of course, Size?.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s been an iconic fixture on Thomas Street since it first opened back in 2002 / Credit: Oi Polloi
With the Oi Polloi Northern Quarter site expected to be rebranded to another JD fascia, rumours have naturally been circulating online over the last 24-hours about what will replace it – but despite this, nothing has been confirmed.
JD is also reported to have declined to comment on the future of Oi Polloi any further at this time.
Featured Image – Oi Polloi
News
Manchester cocktail bar added to Michelin Guide in ‘incredible surprise’
Daisy Jackson
A cocktail bar in Manchester has received a surprise listing in the prestigious Michelin Guide – the first drinks-led venue in the city to gain such recognition.
Posie opened less than a year ago in an unlikely location just off Market Street, transforming a former sandwich shop into a sunny and stylish bar, right in the heart of Manchester city centre.
The bar comes from the same team behind 10 Tib Lane (which is also a Michelin Guide venue) and is famed for its cocktails, oysters, and global wine list.
And now Posie has swooped into the prestigious guide just 10 months after its launch, with judges celebrating its small plates and its extensive cocktail list.
The Michelin Guide said: “Founded by the same team as nearby 10 Tib Lane, posie is a little more drink-driven than its sibling, with a global wine selection that’s keen on natural options, alongside over 30 classic and bespoke cocktails and mocktails.
“None of this means that they don’t take their food seriously, with plenty of flavour bursting out of the concise small-plates selection.
“Jersey oysters with various toppings are a feature, and you mustn’t miss the Guinness rarebit on toast with piquant pickled cauliflower.
“If you’re struggling to choose, just ask the friendly team for guidance.”
Posie bar in Manchester has been added to the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Posie has said the news comes as ‘an incredible surprise’, adding that this ‘really is a proud moment for us and the team’.
Sophie Robson, co-owner at Posie, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have been included in the MICHELIN Guide so soon after opening.
“From day one, our ambition was to create a bar where exceptional drinks, great food and amazing hospitality come together.
“To receive recognition from such a respected guide is a fantastic achievement for the team and a reflection of the hard work that goes into every aspect of the guest experience.”
Met Office reveals what Greater Manchester can expect from ‘extreme’ heatwave this week
Emily Sergeant
The Met Office has given an indication as to what Greater Manchester can expect as the ‘extreme’ heatwave arrives this week.
In case you hadn’t heard, Amber Extreme Heat warnings and heat-health alerts have been issued by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from Monday through to Thursday this week – with temperatures widely exceeding 35°C nationwide, and in some areas – particularly on the south coast – potentially even reaching 38°C.
Temperatures are expected to rise ‘quickly’ this morning (22 June) and are forecast to reach 34°C in southern parts of England.
The heat will build further into Tuesday, with highs of 37°C forecast for southern England and 35°C southeast Wales. The peak of the heatwave is now forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures are expected to climb to 38°C.
But by Friday, conditions will be less hot – with highs of 33°C forecast across eastern areas.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️
Extreme heat across parts of central and southern England and Wales
Heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.
Overnight temperatures will also be very high, with widespread ‘Tropical Nights’, where the temperature does not drop below 20°C, forecast especially in urban areas, while humidity is also set to be a factor, making this heatwave ‘even more impactful’, the Met Office has warned, with heat stress a ‘danger to all’.
Despite all these weather warnings and forecasted temperatures though, it seems that the northern parts of the country – especially the North West – are missing most of the extremely hot conditions.
“The exception for the hot conditions is further to the northwest in the coming days, which will see more near-average temperatures,” the Met Office said in a statement, adding that we are also expected to see more ‘unsettled’ conditions too – with rain and thunderstorms forecast at various points throughout the week, although this could change.
Current forecasts indicate that the peak temperatures for Greater Manchester this week will be on Wednesday and Thursday, with highs of 33°C to be reached in the city centre.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree, said: “The forecast heatwave is developing into an impactful severe weather event, with record breaking June temperatures and very high humidity.
“The combination of heat and humidity will be oppressive and bring impacts across society from public health and infrastructure, to power and water supplies.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th March 2023 
