Sacha Lord has long been vocal about the Government’s treatment of hospitality in the UK – and it appears that the last closure in the region has really tugged at his heart strings (and flipped his rage switch).
The Night Time Economy Adviser has demanded a general election after learning of the closure of a popular neighbourhood restaurant in Droylsden.
He said that the news that Industry, which had been at the heart of the Tameside town’s regeneration, had shut down was ‘heartbreaking’.
The restaurant and bar said that they can no longer stomach the ‘crippling’ costs of running a business in 2023 – from energy bills to VAT increases – without charging customers ‘extortionate prices’.
The team behind Industry said it was a decision that hadn’t been made lightly and that they were ‘devastated’ to have to close their doors.
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The restaurant had even managed to survive a turbulent first year after opening in 2020 – and we all know what went down then.
Sacha has slammed the current Government once again for their lack of support for hospitality businesses.
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He said that the Tories are allowing ‘communities to break up and High Streets to fall apart’.
The Parklife boss wrote on Twitter: “Heartbreaking. I met the team at Industry last year, they were lovely. Again, citing Energy as a factor. This Gov’t don’t care about Hospitality. Under their watch communities are breaking up, our High Streets are falling apart. We urgently need a General Election.”
Heartbreaking. I met the team at Industry last year, they were lovely.
Again, citing Energy as a factor.
This Gov’t don’t care about Hospitality.
Under their watch communities are breaking up, our High Streets are falling apart.
Droylsden restaurant Industry’s full statement said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts we have to say that Industry has closed its doors for the final time.
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“Industry started as an idea between three friends of opening a nice little bar where you could have a drink and get a bite to eat….the reality became so much bigger than that and exceeded all of our expectations.
“Opening at the height of a global pandemic was an enormous challenge and we had so many hurdles to jump just to stay open. In our first year, we were only allowed to open 5 months out of 12 but we powered through because we believed in our vision.
“Since then, plenty of blood, sweat and tears, from both us and our incredible team, has gone in to making Industry what it has been to date. Sadly, crippling energy bills, spiralling overheads, lack of government support and VAT/tax increases have made our ‘little’ idea unsustainable, without having to charge extortionate prices.
“Please do not think that this is a decision which has been made lightly. We are devastated and we would be grateful if any negative comments could be kept away. We know we haven’t been perfect, but we can assure you that we always tried our best without any regrets.
“Thank you to all our customers for your support over the last few years. Seeing people come in and enjoy what we created has been the best part of this whole experience.
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“Last but by no means ever least, thank you to all of our amazing team, both past and present. We are forever grateful for your hard work, dedication and loyalty to us and to Industry. Mike, Paul and Andrew.”
Featured image: Industry Droylsden
Tameside
Ricky Hatton’s family share details of 18 mile-long Memorial Route next week
Daisy Jackson
A Memorial Route to celebrate the life of Ricky Hatton has been shared by the late boxer’s family.
The legendary sportsman and local figure was found dead at his home earlier this month – he was just 46 years old.
His family have now shared details of a procession which will take place next week, offering fans a chance to come out and pay their respects to ‘The Hitman’.
The Memorial Route will span some 18 miles and pass landmarks that shaped Ricky Hatton throughout his life and career.
It will begin in Hyde, where he spent most of his life, before heading on to the city centre for a funeral service at Manchester Cathedral.
Entry to the service itself will be by invitation only, but the lengthy cortège will allow plenty of opportunity for locals to pay their respects before then.
The Memorial Route will then wind up at the Etihad Stadium.
Ricky’s family has shared a map of the route and confirmed that it will pass pubs, gyms and other landmarks loved by the boxing great.
It will begin at The Cheshire Cheese pub in Gee Cross before heading on to The Harehill Tavern, and then up to the site of the former The New Inn pub.
The latter is a pub that Ricky’s parents ran, and in which his parents built him a boxing gym in the basement.
Though the pub is now closed and has been turned into housing, it’s here that doves will be released in his honour.
The Ricky Hatton Memorial Route will move on from here to pause at énergie Fitness Hyde Ricky Hatton, then to pass Hyde Town Hall and Betta Bodies Gym.
From here, it will make its way into the city centre, passing the AO Arena and making its way to Manchester Cathedral.
After the funeral service, the procession will finish at the Etihad Stadium – the home of Ricky Hatton’s beloved Manchester City.
The procession will begin at 9.45am on Friday 10 October, and is expected to reach the Cathedral for midday.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, Aeropixels Photography
Tameside
Family pay tribute to Tameside teen Catherine Blackhurst found dead after reported missing
Emily Sergeant
The family of a 17-year-old girl who was found dead after being reported missing in Tameside have now paid tribute to her.
The girl has been publicly named as Catherine Blackhurst.
Catherine died after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were led to an address on Whalley Close in Ashton-under-Lyne at around 9am on Sunday 21 September, but despite the best efforts of all emergency service workers involved, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
At this time, investigating officers say her cause of death remains ‘unclear’, but detectives are ‘keeping an open mind’.
A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder, but has since been bailed.
#TRIBUTE | The family of Catherine Blackhurst, who sadly died in Ashton-under-Lyne on Sunday, have paid tribute to her.
Her family have requested that their privacy is respected as they begin to process Catherine’s passing and grieve as a family.
Catherine’s family described her as being an ‘intelligent young lady’ who was ‘so full of life’ and had a ‘can-do attitude’ with the drive to achieve anything.
Paying tribute to her, Catherine’s family added: “Cat was a bright, beautiful young woman with an infectious enthusiasm for life. She left an instant, lasting impression and anyone she met instantly fell in love with her larger-than-life personality.
“Her siblings loved her endlessly, they enjoyed special individual memories with her that will be cherished forever.
Catherine Blackhurst, 17, died after being reported missing in Tameside / Credit: GMP
“We can’t put into words what Cat meant to us. She was so funny and smart. She accepted people for who they were with no judgement and was never afraid to be herself.
“If love was enough, she would be here with us right now celebrating.”
Her family say they are ‘immeasurably saddened with her passing’ and are now asking that their privacy is respected as they begin to process her death and grieve as a family.
In the meantime, police are still appealing to the public for any information that may help them with their investigations.
Anyone with any information, CCTV, mobile phone or Ring doorbell footage is urged to contact police on 0161 856 9307, quoting the log number 802 of 21/09/2025, or online via gmp.police.uk.
Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Daisy Jackson -
10th August 2023 
