A historic mill in Manchester which has been used as a creative space for hundreds of musicians and artists is being turned into flats – with those who worked in the space forced to move out.
Brunswick Mill sits on the edge of Ancoats, alongside the Pollard Yard community of shipping containers that’s also home to a group of local creative businesses.
This former cotton mill will be a familiar sight to most of us – not just because of its traditional red-brick, canal-side appearance, but also because it’s cropped up on TV plenty of times over the years.
Both Liam Gallagher and Louis Tomlinson picked Brunswick Mill for their music videos, and Netflix and Disney+ crews have also used it as a location.
But more important than its fancy TV credentials is what the building has meant for so many local artists over the years.
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Liam Gallagher’s One Of Us music videoLiam Gallagher in one of the studios. Credit: Brunswick Mill Credit: Brunswick MillBrunswick Mill as it looks today. Credit: All My FriendsLiam Gallagher at Brunswick Mill and (swipe across) how the space looked as it closed
Brunswick Mill has acted as a rehearsal space, recording studio and meeting space for hundreds of musicians, who have been able to rent their own permanent, soundproofed rooms. The building is as grassroots and authentic and brilliantly Manc as it gets, down to its ‘very ropey toilets’ – but now the dream is over.
The developers are moving in and, before long, Brunswick Mill will be an apartment block.
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Arrowsmith Investments is planning a £58m redevelopment of the mill, which will see it turned into a block of 150 flats (127 further homes will be built next door). The plans fall short of the 20% affordable homes percentage.
Plans for Brunswick Mill. Credit: Hodder + PartnersPlans for Brunswick Mill. Credit: Hodder + Partners
Tales of heartbreak are emerging from the mill’s ancient walls as the musicians who have been based here over the last 17 years pack up and move out.
While Brunswick Mill’s team has found a new home in Salford, the new space is much smaller, and it means not all of the residents from Ancoats can go with it.
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One particularly gut-wrenching blog post has been shared by Liam Donoghue, founder of dance music blog and club night All My Friends, who wrote about how the closure will ‘hit Manchester’s creative community pretty hard’.
He said: “Brunswick Mill was a wreck. It was a dilapidated mill on the edge of Manchester which had some very ropey toilets and a lot of pigeon sh*t. But it was also an artistic hub that housed over 100 bands, producers artists, and DJs during its 20-year history.
“AMF moved into Brunswick Mill in 2019 and we’re sad to say we’re losing our studio after a brilliant 4 years. Yes, the toilets were a bit minging but the freedom it gave musicians of all stripes to play music as loud as they wanted and not have to worry about noise complaints and neighbors was a real boon to Manchester musical community.”
The post continued: “I do think it’s sad that any form of creative space is being squeezed out of Manchester. Even the outskirts aren’t safe…
“Personally, this city needs to reassess its relationship with its nightlife and music scene Manchester is a city with a proud musical heritage but that will quickly dry up without places like Brunswick to nurture new talent.”
Rowetta calls on Bez to not ‘let her down’ following Shaun Ryder allegations
Danny Jones
Ex-Happy Mondays singer Rowetta is imploring her fellow bandmate and long-time friend Bez to rally by her side after making a number of claims about frontman Shaun Ryder.
Speaking out for the first time back on 26 February, the 59-year-old screenshotted an old NME headline touching on a previous split, where they wrote about a “tussle” on a ferry to Ireland before Dublin’s Witness Festival 2000.
Having posted a series of messages on her X account since then, Rowetta has gone on to make more specific claims that Shaun Ryder not only assaulted her but even rendered her unconscious.
Rowetta left the band once again back in December of last year without offering much detail on the situation. The Manc music icon is continuing to both thank as well as share her own messages of support to victims of domestic violence and remains steadfast in her allegations.
Imagine if it was your Mother, your daughter, your sister, your loved one.
If you punch a woman, be man enough to admit it and apologise to my children.
Clarifying what reportedly happened two and half decades ago, Rowetta said on social media: “When I speak about Happy Mondays it will always be true. I’m not a liar.
“Shaun Ryder punched me, knocked me out […] there were lots of witnesses and my son had to see me with a black eye! Don’t call me a liar threatening with defamation! Should have called the cops!”
Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped the Crumpsall native from reiterating her claims, writing in a subsequent post: “Everybody stop saying I’m lying. I’m speaking to my lawyer this afternoon. I have witnesses, photos and press.
“It’s not a new story. He didn’t deny it when it happened. Ask Bez why he didn’t go on stage [at Dublin’s Witness Fest 25 years ago].” Many people online have taken issue with how the story has been reported by some outlets so far too:
Just another sloppy unsubstantiated article . Fact check atleast
Crucially, it seems Rowetta is banking on her Bez – real name Mark Berry – to back up her claims as the case unfolds, addressing him directly in her most recent post: “Anyone who knows my kids knows they would never lie.
“I do hope Bez doesn’t let my kids down. I’ve always been there for him and his”, she went on to add. Her children, now in their 40s, have also expressed their shock at Ryder‘s denial.
Rowetta also shed some light on the most recent tour before leaving after 34 years, claiming that she stayed on a “16-bed bus on the last tour with mainly men [she] didn’t know, while Bez and his dogs, Neetsy and her merchandise-selling boyfriend, and Shaun + 1 stayed in luxury hotels.”
Although it’s hard to confirm details at this stage, it seems some have already made their minds up, with one user commenting: “It’s time for all the band to move on from Shaun Ryder, after listening to the Paul Ryder podcast, it highlights what a nasty self-centred bully he is. No doubt more skeletons in his closet.”
Massive Attack set to return for huge gig in Manchester later this year
Thomas Melia
Massive Attack are set to return to Manchester for an incredible live show later this year.
The multi award-winning Bristol collective, currently formed of Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, will be touring the UK again for the first time since 2019, and will be taking to the stage at Manchester’s newest – and largest – live entertainment venue Co-op Live in the summer.
These outspoken musicians have released five studio albums spanning from 1991 all the way to 2010, with some of their biggest hits needing no introduction – such as ‘Unfinished Sympathy’, ‘Teardrop’, and ‘Angel’.
Massive Attack are set to return for huge gig in Manchester later this year / Credit: Supplied
The duo has been crafting a legacy since they debuted in the early 90s, even winning a prestigious Ivor Novello award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to British Music’ in 2009.
The band’s discography is just as bold and recognisable as their incredible activism campaigns.
No strangers to speaking up for what they believe in, Campaign For Nuclear Disarmament and Stop The War Coalition are some of the organisations the band has supported over the years – with anti-war and reducing carbon emissions being some of the causes they care about.
Fans can expect to see these causes represented, as well as hear the greatest hits from the band’s celebrated back catalogue when they arrive in Manchester in June.
Massive Attack will step on the stage in Manchester this summer on Thursday 5 June.
Tickets will go on sale this week, with the pre-sale going live this Wednesday 5 March from 10am, before the general on sale happens just two days later on Friday 7 March.
Daisy Jackson -
12th February 2023 
