Ever since its relaunch in 2022, The Deansgate pub in Manchester has had one of the city’s best rooftop bars.
But the pub’s beautiful two-storey terrace, with views of the Deansgate Square towers, has suddenly been dwarfed by a development next door.
It’s not just a big tower – it’s an L-shaped tower that’s quite literally hugging two sides of the pub.
Your view currently is of its concrete spine, later to be replaced by shiny glass and brick and concrete.
As things stand, The Deansgate can’t even open its rooftop terraces, so close is the construction site to where punters should be nursing a Guinness.
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And when it is able to open, its views of the southern city centre skyline will be completely blocked by the 22-storey, 357-bedroom aparthotel being built at 325 Deansgate.
The tower, from Dean Street Developments, is going to be so tall, it will also be cosying right up to Beetham Tower’s Cloud 23, historically the city’s leading sky bar.
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Fans of the reborn boozer are, understandably, gutted.
The Deansgate’s rooftop terrace last summer. Credit: The Manc GroupHow the same terrace looks now
When photos of the construction site were shared on local Facebook groups, one person commented: “Beautiful character building and bridge dwarfed by the new grey builds. There has been no attempt to blend these tower blocks.”
Another questioned: “Jesus, how did this get through planning due to the implications on the pub next door and one of the nicest beer gardens in town.”
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Someone else said: “Lower Turks Head. Briton’s Protection. The Black Friar, Salford. The Deansgate. The Sir Ralph Abercrombie. I’m certain that there must be more – probably many more – local pubs now dwarfed into insignificance (or soon to be) by the “New Manchester”. There can’t be much more sky left to build over can there?”
Several people have compared The Deansgate to P J Clarke’s in Manhattan, a brick-built pub that still stands unchanged even as gigantic glass structures popped up on all sides.
The view from The Deansgate’s roof terrace has been covered by a new skyscraperThe huge aparthotel is taking shape beside the pub
Of course, even without the rooftop terrace space, The Deansgate has a lot going for it.
There are bars and cosy snugs spreading across three floors, retained features like stained-glass windows and woodwork, and a menu of traditional pub favourites.
The Deansgate isn’t the only pub that’s being bullied by a sharp-edged glass monolith either.
And the Lower Turk’s Head’s beer garden now has a view straight up the side of the tower block nicknamed the ‘Shudehill Shard’.
Amber Leaff, general manager for the Deansgate commented: “The Deansgate continues to operate as normal indoors, with three floors offering visitors plenty of space to enjoy a drink or some classic pub food and we’re delighted to continue to welcome customers through the door.”
You can already see the aparthotel taking shape beside The Deansgate pub
First look inside Social Osteria, Stockport’s buzzy new Italian restaurant
Lydia Mastrolonardo
That’s right Stopfordians – we’re gaining yet another brand new addition to our town’s blooming food and drink scene, as Social Osteria opens its doors at Weir Mill.
It’s safe to say we’re in good hands, with the geniuses behind The Social Trattoria, named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025, being the ones to bring this new taste of Italy to South Manchester.
Just because we are no longer experiencing the weather to match an Italian summer, doesn’t mean we can’t continue eating like we’re there.
Social Osteria can now be found overlooking the River Mersey, as a beautiful 2,000 sq ft space within the buzzing new canalside development, fully equipped with the classic exposed red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the restored original kiln.
As you approach the restaurant, you are greeted by a sunken courtyard and riverside seating, making for the perfect alfresco dining spot, when the warmer weather finally rolls back around.
With the meaning of Osteria being an Italian tavern, for locals to gather and enjoy each other’s company, good wine and honest, flavourful food – the team have stayed true to the name. You can expect dim, ambient lighting, an open kitchen, fresh small plates, flavourful 48-hour pizzas, and traditional pasta.
Vibrant dishes at Social Osteria in Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
This glamorous new restaurant is promising a spectacular menu, from cacio e pepe butter beans to guanciale topped pizzas and their very own slow-cooked beef shin and pork shoulder paccheri ragu, you know we’re in the right place.
With Italian food running in the family, the team’s cooking practices are rooted in traditional methods, passed down through the generations and then presented to us, with the freshest of ingredients.
It suits Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill whilst transforming it into a vibrant community, for generations to come.
Inside Social Osteria at Weir Mill. Credit: The Manc Group
Set below Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m neighbourhood is now home to 253 apartments alongside bustling cafés, wine bars and stunning restaurants akin to Social Osteria, accompanied by plenty of outdoor seating, green spaces, and riverside viewpoints.
Where Osteria Social now calls home is part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing reputation as one of the best locations to live in the UK.
Social Osteria will officially open Thursday 22 October, at Weir Mill. Be sure to book your tables early as we fear this one might get a little booked up.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
Daisy Jackson -
18th February 2024 
