Two of the most frequented and beloved bars in Stockport, Doctor Feelgood and The Glass Spider, have sadly announced they are shutting down.
Establishing themselves as local institutions in just a few short years, they join the growing list of businesses going bust across Greater Manchester and the country in general, as businesses face increasing obstacles during a turbulent time for the UK economy.
Confirming the news of the immediate closures on social media, owner Joseph Patten expressed his “extreme sadness” at how things have transpired, but that he is thankful for “all the fond memories and wonderful customers” who made them the popular pubs they were.
Patten explained that the decision came down to a simple matter of “rising costs and the lack of people going out spending” as they were, with so many owners in the hospitality sector, especially, being forced to close their doors down to surging energy bills alone.
Credit: Dr Feelgood and Glass Spider (via Facebook)
Informing patrons on Facebook of Dr Feelgood’s closure via local forum ‘What’s On Stockport’, Joe wrote an emotional message, saying, “It was my absolute dream to bring Live music back to the market place. And I’ve had a blast doing so.
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“We had some absolutely insane artists perform here over the last year and a half, from Miles Kane to You Me At Six, Clint Boon and recently The Twang sold out. Not to mention all the insane Halloween parties.
“Doctor Feelgood [opened in 2021] was born from a mixture of lockdown and watching The Dirt on repeat on Netflix and a desire to bring a venue that plays Rock music through and through… I’m sad we won’t be able to carry on bringing you all these crazy gigs and good times, but it’s been one hell of a blast!”
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He went on to thank the customers for their loyalty even “through difficult times”, as well as his team and the “amazing manager Aaron”, adding: “I couldn’t be more proud of what we have achieved in such a short amount of time.” Then came his second announcement just an hour later.
Once again taking to Facebook, the actor-turned-bar owner informed fans of The Glass Spider — located just across the market square from Dr Feelgood — that the bar which started out as “the sequel to The Cracked Actor”, his first of four openings in Stockport, would sadly be following suit.
Joe went on to say that he opened the second site in 2020 when he “had a spring in [his] step and all the energy in the world”, but that he sadly doesn’t have that anymore and “if the climate was a little different” he would try again.
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Just as with Feelgoods, punters in the comments have said they are “gutted” and “absolutely heartbroken” to see the two go.
For now, he says “the right thing to do is to pass this lovely unit on to someone else” and while Dr Feelgood and Glass Spider might be closing down, he will continue to run “The Cracked Actor where it all began”, as well as his relatively new gaming bar Glitch, in the hopes that downsizing will see them survive.
Rest in peace to two of the best bars in Stockport, you will be missed and we wish Joe and his team all the best with his remaining and future ventures.
Featured Image — Dr Feelgood/The Glass Spider (via Facebook)
Eats
Indie food and drink festival to return to popular Greater Manchester town for second year
Emily Sergeant
A food and drink festival shining a spotlight on independent businesses is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving later this month, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
Organised by Love Urmston and hosted by Urmston resident and food and drink presenter, Matty White, this community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Now in its second year, YUM! continues to shine a spotlight on Urmston’s indie food scene and the passion of the people behind it, but as well as local residents, it also invites the rest of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester community to come together.
So whether you just live down the road, or you are discovering the town for the first time, everyone is welcome to pop down.
“Bringing YUM! back for a second year is incredibly exciting,” commented Fred Davids, who is the Chair of the Love Urmston committee.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate what makes Urmston special – its community, and fantastic food and drink scene, welcoming people from near and far to experience the town at its best.
“And as a committee, we’re proud to support our incredible local independent businesses who put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
YUM! is returning to Urmston for another delicious festival this month / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Just some of the independent businesses you’ll find at the festival throughout the day include English Rose Bakery, Inforno Pizzeria, Dan’s Cookies, Banga Curries, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen, The Greek Village, Pomona Island Brewery, Kelder Wines, and so many more.
The festival is also proudly sponsored by Gecko Homes – a north west property developer that specialises in creating affordable and shared ownership homes across many of Manchester’s most popular suburbs.
You can read more about what Gecko Homes is doing across the region here.
YUM! – Your Urmston Matters is back this month on Saturday 21 June, and will be getting underway from 11am through to 5pm.
Featured Image – Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Eats
The Stables – A brand-new Manchester pub on the site of the Rovers Return
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new pub is set to open in Manchester city centre net month, with treats in store like complimentary bowls of crisps, an outdoor terrace, and a games parlour.
The Stables Tavern is taking shape in the St John’s district, poetically on the same site that was once home to Coronation Street’s iconic Rovers Return pub.
They’re promising this will be a ‘historic tavern reimagined for today’s lover of a proper pint’.
The pub will come from Shiko Group, which is also behind Courts Club, where you can play tennis or basketball followed by court-side pints, and Side Street, a bar-restaurant-events space with a mid-Century interior.
Neighbouring the Bonded Warehouse, The Stables Tavern will join this rapidly blossoming new creative district, just across the yard from Caravan, The Trading Route and Aviva Studios.
Inside, punters will find multiple beer taps with local beers, served with complimentary bowls of crisps as well as a menu of pub snacks like handmade sausage rolls and local pies.
The pub will be split into three sections – an outside terrace, a main bar, and a parlour area at the back of the pub for live entertainment, old school games, and rounds of whiskey.
The Stables pub in Manchester
The Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in ManchesterThe Stables pub in Manchester
This might be a new district but it’s a historic area for the city – the same building was a busy watering hole back in the early 19th century for workers, merchants and visitors who made use of the nearby canals and cobbled streets.
It was then the home of the Rovers Return, back when this area was the home of Granada Studios.
Hayley Sammé, Marketing Director, said: “We’re so excited to bring The Stables Tavern back to St John’s. The area’s extensive historical backdrop and burgeoning hospitality scene provides the perfect landscape for a traditional British pub.
“It’s the perfect addition to the existing scene, and we hope it’s going to become a popular spot in our new creative district.”
The Stables Tavern will open at St John’s on Friday 6 June – you can sign up for one of 1,000 free pints HERE.
Danny Jones -
4th April 2023 
