Grosvenor Casinos have Finally Reopened – Here’s What You Need To Know
With nightclubs still waiting to get the go-ahead, guests will relish the chance to return to casinos to continue their nights out, once last orders have been called in most drinking establishments.
Following more than four months of closure due to lockdown, Grosvenor Casino Didsbury, Grosvenor Casino Salford, and Grosvenor Casino Soames are all open for business, just in time for the Euros – but what has changed?
In line with the UK Government plan to ease lockdown, all 52 of Grosvenor Casinos UK venues reopened their doors from Monday, May 17th, much to the joy of staff and casino players across the country. Guests can once again enjoy a night out with friends and family, playing their favourite table games, from roulette and baccarat to blackjack and poker. Visitors can also savour fine dining and other entertainments, such as watching sporting events.
With nightclubs still waiting to get the go-ahead, guests will relish the chance to return to casinos to continue their nights out, once last orders have been called in most drinking establishments.
Gavin Lee, Regional Operations Manager at Grosvenor Casinos, said, “We’ve been counting down the days to reopening and every passing day has brought increased excitement. It has been a challenging time for all our team members, but we can finally look forward to reuniting again and getting back to doing what we love – creating a unique atmosphere for guests to have fun, play their favourite casino games and enjoy quality time together.”
Customers who have spent their time visiting online casinos in lockdown but have missed the atmosphere and social element of a real casino will be pleased to learn that they can return to real brick-and-mortar casinos. Sports fans will be delighted to know that live sporting events, such as the Euros, will be broadcast on the casinos’ big screens.
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However, there are a few safety measures and restrictions in place that you should be aware of. As we’ve come to expect in public venues, you will need to register at reception on entry, hand sanitiser will be provided and you must wear a facemask when moving throughout the venue.
Drinks and dining will be back on the menu, with socially distanced seating in place. You can pre-order table service using the venue’s app, or you can place an order with the valet service.
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Contactless payments will be encouraged, although cash will continue to be accepted. Staff and customers will be protected by safety shields at the tills.
There will also be regular cleaning every day, including but not limited to chips and tables and gaming machines. Numbers at tables will be restricted, and social distancing guidelines are in place.
Customers will have screens made available to them at gaming tables and electronic machines.
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If you’re still not ready to visit real casinos and prefer to socially distance, then sites like whichcasino.com offer reviews for the best & new casinos online if this is more your thing.
Gain added: “We have been working hard to put in place robust health and safety measures, and when we reopen in line with government guidance, we will deliver a fun yet safe experience for all of our guests and team members to enjoy.”
Manchester Marathon found fresh community fund following milestone charitable efforts
Danny Jones
The Manchester Marathon has begun a new community fund following more than a decade of incredible charity efforts.
Known as the Trafford Active Fund for the last 10 years or so, the initiative covers not only the city and its wider boroughs’ annual 26.2-mile long race, but various other sports and activity-based schemes across the region.
Now, though, the fresh Manc Marathon Fund is evolving in partnership with the existing Trafford Moving Fund and MCRactive arm of Manchester City Council by expanding its vital charity work further afield than ever before.
Launching ahead of the 2026 event this spring, runners will once again be behind crucial funding across the Greater Manchester region and beyond.
The new Manchester Marathon Community Fund logo (Credit: Supplied)
For context, back in 2024, the MCR Marathon raised nearly £30 million for the local economy and roughly £3.7m for charities like the Alzheimer’s Society; last April, that figure surpassed more than £4m, and the fundraising numbers only continue to increase with every year.
With that in mind, more than £60k is distributed to various partner programmes that “inspire movement, improve wellbeing, and create meaningful change for local people”.
Moving forward, not only will £1 from every paid entry into the Manchester Marathon and Manchester Half continue to go directly into the Manchester Marathon Community Fund (MMCF).
Andrew Smith, Chief Executive of A.S.O. UK – organisers of the MCR Marathon and Half – said: “We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact the Trafford Active Fund has delivered locally over the years, and we’re excited to extend that impact across both Trafford and Manchester City [Centre].
“By broadening our reach, the MMCF will help even more people to get active and contribute to a legacy of movement and wellbeing. Our relationship with Trafford remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to continuing to support the brilliant community projects that make a real difference there.”
Community groups and projects in Trafford or the City of Manchester can apply for funding via the Trafford Moving Fund and MCR Active (dependent on their location).
A panel from each organisation reviews applications and selects projects that best demonstrate lasting impact.
We share stories from funded projects throughout the year, so you can see the difference your event entry makes.
We love how much the North West regularly dedicates its charitable efforts, both socially and physically, towards important causes throughout the year.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via Manchester Marathon/ASO UK)
Business
Deansgate bar Simmons closes just over a year after opening
Danny Jones
London-born bar brand Simmons has closed their Manchester site just over a year after opening their first Northern location.
They’ve lasted roughly 15 months on one of our busiest nightlife strips.
Opening on Deansgate back in October 2024, Simmons Manchester wasn’t just their first foray here up in this half of the country but their only other venue outside of the capital.
An otherwise well-established and popular chain down south, they have a total of 15 different bars in central London, but things clearly haven’t quite taken off as planned here in Manchester.
Placing a poster in the unit’s shopfront besides the likes of Be At One, Yours, The Moon Under The Water Spoons and the Deansgate branch of Slug and Lettuce, as you can see, the fellow franchise founded over a decade ago said: “After much consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye”, they add, “We’re incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year.
“We’ve had some unforgettable nights. We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions.”
They go on to thank everyone for being “part of the journey”, but for now, it looks like the room has closed effective immediately.
Simmons started back in 2012 when founder Nick Campbell opened the first bar below his flat in Kings Cross, and their presence has grown hugely since then. The closing sign was spotted and shared on social media earlier this week.
Offering everything from stylish cocktails to New York-style pizza, live music and even private karaoke booths, the place had plenty going on.
With rising business rates, energy bills and more dovetailing with the continuing cost of living crisis that is still hampering both hospitality and the nightime economy, they are just one of many to unfortunately close their doors of late.
For instance, it was only earlier this month that we saw multiple well-known names shut up shop here in the city centre or elsewhere in Greater Manchester, including another long-standing late-night favourite, Revolution.
It’s a shame for any business to close, and we certainly hope they’ll return someday with a model that can be sustained in the current climate.
The Manc -
11th June 2021 
