A Crowdfunder has been launched to try and save a traditional pub in Stretford that’s at risk of being turned into flats.
The Robin Hood pub on Barton Road has been left in a state of disrepair since it closed in 2018, but a team of locals think it still has the potential to be an ‘amazing community pub’.
They’re hoping to raise enough money – £5000 – to pay for surveys and legal advice so they can try to save the space.
Pictures taken inside the pub show that it’s riddled with damp and mould, with broken floorboards, crumbling ceilings, and boarded-up windows.
But it’s also a grand Edwardian building, with an ornate red brick facade, stained glass windows, beautiful tiles and bags of charm.
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The Robin Hood was bought by developers who intended to turn it into flats and build houses in the large car park.
Those behind the Crowdfunder campaign, who describe themselves as ‘a band of merry Mancunians’, say they believe ‘this space is part of Stretford’s Heritage and should be restored to a traditional pub for the whole community to enjoy’.
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Inside the Robin Hood pub in Stretford. Credit: Instagram, @savetherobinhood
Inside the Robin Hood pub in Stretford. Credit: Instagram, @savetherobinhood
Inside the Robin Hood pub in Stretford. Credit: Instagram, @savetherobinhood
Inside the Robin Hood pub in Stretford. Credit: Instagram, @savetherobinhood
The campaign states: “Stretford has some great bars, but with no other traditional pubs in our town centre, the loss of this building would leave a hole at the heart of our ever expanding community that we’ll never mend. They just don’t build pubs like this anymore do they?”
It continues: “We hope to reach an agreement with the developers. Then the real work begins, there’ll be more funds to raise and we’ll be setting up a Community Benefit Society and offering everyone in the community a chance to have a share of the pub!
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.
You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.
With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.
But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.
To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.
If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.
The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.
Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.
Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK
If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.
“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.
Daisy Jackson -
7th June 2022 
