The brand new city centre opening Courts Club is giving away a whopping 500 free coffees this Thursday to Mancs in need of a mid-week pick-me-up.
Let’s be honest, the only thing better than a shot of much-needed caffeine is a freebie.
Courts Club opened last month over in the ever-growing St John’s district just down from Deansgate and next door to Spinningfields, bringing a refreshing combination rarely seen in Manchester: basketball, tennis, boules, a bar, butties, lights bites and more – all in one space.
Bringing a sense of almost beachside Florida meets laid-back Lawn Club (they are the same team behind it after all) to the bustling city centre, and to mark not only their first month of business but a new loyalty scheme, they’ve decided to hand out a shed load of free coffees to celebrate.
The offer is simple: the first 500 people to attend between 8am-12pm this Thursday, 22 August will earn a free coffee as well as an intro to their loyalty scheme, which offers a free drink for every seven stamps collected.
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Plus, they will also be given a headstart with not one but two stamps added, meaning they can collect another free drink after their next five visits.
Opening from 8am and closing at 11pm every weekday, Courts Club is an all-hours venue but, especially whilst the weather is still nice, it’s a great little sun-trap to sit and have your lunch.
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With that in mind, as part of this new promotion under the Courts Club loyalty scheme, they’re also launching the Courts Combo lunch deal, which offers a soft drink or hot beverage with a toastie and a small salad for just a tenner.
Customers can also upgrade their drink to a cheeky alcoholic bev for an extra £2 if they fancy, and the toastie menu includes a selection of gooey sarnies made with a mix of mozzarella and American cheese with garlic butter using local tin loaf bread from independent supplier Half Dozen Other. Oof, go on then.
Credit: The Manc Group/Supplied
Ant Everatt, General Manager over at Courts Club said: “We were given such a warm welcome last month when we opened our doors, and saw over 500 people come down to our launch party.
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“We’re keen to keep growing our relationship and community connections within the neighbourhood and with so many businesses and residents nearby, we’re the perfect spot to grab a coffee – and even better that you can grab a free one on us!
“We’ve already shown we can be the perfect post-work meeting spot and a place to shoot some hoops or play tennis, but now we’re here to show we can serve up coffee, brunch and be the ‘go-to’ morning hangout too.”
It’s certainly going to be our go-to this Thursday if there are free coffees up for grabs, put it that way.
Courts Club is now open seven days a week, with courts available for hire and the space itself open for large group bookings.
Part of the Shiko Group – a boutique hospitality company that manages several bars, cafes and event spaces across Manchester and Leeds such as Canary Bar, Fearns Leeds, Side Street Studios, Deck & Dome, Foleys XYZ, Foleys ABC, The Stables and the aforementioned Lawn Club – there’s real Northern roots behind this latest venture.
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You can get another look at all the fun they have on offer down below:
Strangeways declared ‘threat to national security’ following drone deliveries of drugs, weapons and more
Danny Jones
A recent trend at HMP Manchester has been declared a “threat to national security” after it was learned that drones have been regularly delivering drugs, weapons and more into the facility formerly known as Strangewaysalong with other UK prisons.
It’s said there were roughly 220 drone sightings over the past year or so – more than any other prison in the country – and issues around contraband, violence, hygiene and more have been on the increase ever since. HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire was found to be similarly neglected.
A rife drug and rat problem was found following a surprise autumn inspection between September and October; it is now evident that the chronic issues have been exacerbated by a major security breach as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, says police have “ceded airspace” over facilities.
The most recent report on conditions at HMP Manchester and Long Lartin was published on Tuesday, 14 January and, in short, it insists that huge investment is needed in order to curb the crisis.
Credit: HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Drones, corruption and a lack of investment have seen Strangeways maintain its reputation
A top-line assessment of Strangeways found that many of the sticking points came down not only to the advent of drones delivering items such as phones, drugs, weapons and other “large payloads” weighing up to as much as 7kg, but merely “poor physical security” and concerns regarding corruption.
Most notably, high-risk prisoners who Taylor described as “extremely dangerous” have been burning holes in cell windows in order to pick up drone deliveries. The ease with which these exchanges are able to take place comes down to what he simply calls “slow action”.
There has been a damning failure to spot, repair and/or replace these panels, as well as the torn netting over exercise yards, meaning that drone operators have an easier task when dropping their packages into the 158-year-old penitentiary.
According to the report, “a staggering 39% of prisoners had tested positive in mandatory drug tests at Manchester” (50% at Long Lartin) and a simple survey found that drugs and alcohol were “easy” to acquire inside Strangeways.
In addition to the rodent infestation, general hygiene looks to have plummeted to new lows in recent times too, with “widespread dirt, damp and litter” as well as vandalism in several areas. Inmates have also been tearing up mattresses to insulate windows from the cold.
Numbers relating to assault, self-harm, suicide and more have also risen since the last major inspection in 2021. By all accounts, it remains one of Britain’s most dangerous prisons for a whole host of reasons.
There has also been a significant drop-off when it comes to socialisation and rehabilitation efforts, as the work day, learning and general activities look to have dwindled too.
Taylor signed off by writing: “The safety of staff, prisoners and ultimately that of the public, is seriously compromised by the failure to tackle what has become a threat to national security.
“The prison service, the police and other security services must urgently confront organised gang activity and reduce the supply of drugs and other illicit items which so clearly undermine every aspect of prison life.” To put it simply, he says the situation is “highly alarming.”
It may not make for pleasant reading, but if you want a clearer picture of the current conditions inside Strangeways prison or to learn more about the growing advent of smuggling drones, you can read the extensive 67-page report in full HERE.
Broken cell windowDamage and dirtThe state of a kitchenette (Credit: HMIP)
Featured Images — Robert Wade (via Flickr)/HMIP (HM Inspectorate of Prisons)
City Centre
Colourful Simpsons-themed cafes pop up inside Manchester’s Primark stores
Emily Sergeant
Cafes inside Primark stores across the UK are being transformed into The Simpsons-themed foodie hubs for a limited time only.
You may remember that Grinch-themed cafes popped up inside Primark on Market Street in Manchester city centre, as well as Primark in Trafford Palazzo during December, which were a hit with fans of the furry green character – with everything from green waffles and themed milkshakes, to festive toasties, hot drinks, and more on the menu.
A new life inspired by the legendary animated sitcom, The Simpsons, that is.
Colourful Simpsons-themed cafes have popped up inside Manchester’s Primark stores / Credit: The Manc Group & Supplied
Get ready to step into Springfield, as from now right through until the beginning of May, Primark shoppers can get their D’oh-nut fix and much more, with each cafe kitted out with Simpsons-themed menus and decor.
The special themed menu includes a wide selection of waffles and toasties, and also plenty of drinks and shakes to choose from, including an indulgent Chocolate Marshmallow Hot Chocolate, and a scrumptious Strawberry Doughnut Shake.
Prices start at £4.25 for drinks, and £5.50 for food items.
The menu is filled will themed delights inspired by the beloved animated sitcom / Credit: The Manc Group
“We’re serving up a slice of Springfield with our latest cafe theme, giving fans a taste of The Simpsons right in our stores,” explained Tim Kelly, who is the Director of New Business Development at Primark, as the cafes opened across the UK last week.
“We’re always looking for new ways to create fun and memorable experiences for our customers and our themed cafes have been a big hit, so we can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction in store.”
The Primark Café with The Simpsons is now open in Primark’s Manchester Market Street, and Manchester Trafford stores, as well as in Birmingham, Belfast, Braehead, Edinburgh, and Cardiff until the beginning of May.
Danny Jones -
20th August 2024 
