The group behind some of Manchester‘s worst hotels has reported record profits, despite its less-than-stellar reputation in the city and across the UK more generally.
Britannia Hotels, which is behind the infamous Northern Quarter hotel Sacha’s and the Britannia Hotel on Portland Street amongst others, suddenly appears to have become a popular place to stay – if its takings are anything to go by.
The company reported a loss of £9.5m in 2021, but in the following year revealed its pre-tax profits to be £33.3m.
The chain is also behind the Britannia Airport Hotel, as well as having further sites in Wigan, Stockport and Bolton, and has been consistently rated the worst in the UK for ten years consistently.
Its most recognisable city centre hotel Sacha’s has been referred to as the city’s very own Cecil Hotel, with reviewers on TripAdvisor regularly calling it the ‘worst hotel in Manchester’ and comparing its rooms to a ‘prison cell.’
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One reviewer, posting under the username Vincent B, confessed he couldn’t even make it through the night and checked out seven hours into his stay.
He wrote: “I did not even stay the night the hotel was that bad. It’s basically next door to 3 night clubs. Checked in at 16.00 and left at 23.15. Windows were so dirty and the bed was nowhere near sleepable. Will definitely not be going anywhere near me.”
Another person compared the rooms to a ‘prison cell’, writing: “The most vile place I’ve ever stayed. Location good and staff are nice but wow I can’t believe they can charge £225 a night for this hell hole.
“The rooms are like a prison cell. No proper windows and aircon doesn’t work. Have a tiny fan that doesn’t even make a difference. Huge window on the ceiling with no blind. Light from 4am so we were wide awake!! Told the reception staff whilst checking out and I honestly think they’ve heard it all before. Just said sorry for the inconvenience!! It’s grotty and it stinks.”
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A statement from the chain’s board said: “The result represents a return to performance levels comparable to pre-Covid-19 achieved during a period of difficult trading conditions which continues to limit opportunities for growth.
“Our priorities continue to be maintaining occupancy levels and to manage operating costs whilst ensuring that the business is well placed to exploit the opportunities of the future.”
“The directors remain confident that the company is in a good position to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. The hotels have managed to maintain their competitive edge through the economic downturn and continue to take steps designed to attract new business and improve market share going forward.
“The directors have carefully considered the availability of working capital and likely levels of trading over the next 12 months. They are confident that the business is well placed to meet the challenges including the current geopolitical uncertainty, cost of living crisis and the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Featured image – Wikipedia
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Beloved local comedian Justin Moorhouse pays touching tribute to son Barney
Daisy Jackson
Justin Moorhouse has shared a touching tribute to his son, after announcing over the weekend that Barney had passed away.
The much-loved Tameside comedian wrote that the family are ‘besides themselves with grief’, before later sharing some of his favourite memories of his son, who was in his 20s.
Justin Moorhouse, who starred in Phoenix Nights and just recently performed at the Manchester Opera House on his ‘The Greatest Performance of My Life’ tour, described his son as ‘the sweetest, kindest soul’.
He wrote that Barney ‘just went to sleep and didn’t wake up’.
Following the heartbreaking news, Justin shared three of his fondest memories with his son, including a Flaming Lips gig in Leeds, Bleachers at the O2 Ritz in Manchester, and a trip to the US.
He wrote: “Some of my favourite memories of Barney are music gigs. I am so lucky to have enjoyed loads of stuff he did and obviously hates loads too!
“Luckily, he didn’t think I was too awkward to hang out with at gigs… How lucky I’ve been to have him.”
On Saturday, Justin Moorhouse shared: “It is with the heaviest of hearts I have to tell you our beautiful boy Barney has passed away. Me, his mum and step mum, his sister, cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and his gorgeous friends are besides ourselves with grief.
“I am consoling myself as much as I can knowing that he loved us all and knew we loved him.
“He was so happy, content and excited about the future. The sweetest, kindest soul.
“He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up.
“I can’t imagine how the next days and weeks will unfold but I know we are able to cope – love always helps.
“I am him and he is me. Sleep tight Barney. Dad x
“Appreciate your kindness and sensitivity towards the family at this time.”
Government officially approves Eton’s plan to ‘remove barriers’ and open new FREE college in Oldham
Emily Sergeant
Eton’s plans to open a new free college in Oldham will officially go ahead following Government approval this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed a bit, plans for three new post-16 colleges – with the other two being in Dudley and Middlesborough – that are designed to help give young people who’ve done well in their GCSEs the opportunity to achieve the A-Levels they need to go to Oxbridge and other elite universities across the world were first announced back in March 2022, and then given the green light in August 2023.
Eton has partnered with Star Academies – which is said to be the highest-performing state school trust in the country – for the new colleges.
The colleges will aim to recruit ‘dynamic young people from deprived communities’, including in Oldham, and provide them with a ‘rigorous and rounded education’ that supports their ambitions to achieve places at ‘the very best universities’.
Oldham Council has welcomed the news that the new college – set to be named Eton Star Oldham – will go ahead, after the Government confirmed the conclusion of its national review into the proposals.
The decision means that Oldham will become one of the first places in the country to offer this new education model that combines high standards with strong partnerships and expanded opportunities for local young people.
The Government has officially approved Eton’s plan to open a new free college in Oldham / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Approval means pupils from every background will soon have access to the ‘very best’ opportunities.
Cllr Arooj Shah, who is the Leader of Oldham Coucil, said this is ‘great news’ for Oldham, adding: “Eton Star Oldham will give our young people access to life-changing opportunities, no matter their background or where they start in life.
“We have been clear throughout that this must be a college shaped with our young people, our parents and our communities.
“Now that the Government has confirmed it will go ahead, we will work closely with Eton College and Star Academies to make sure this delivers for Oldham’s children and opens doors for generations to come.”
Georgina Pellant -
14th June 2023 
