Eats

One of Manchester’s oldest pubs has been put up for sale – but don’t panic

Operators behind The Crown and Kettle confirm they're not going anywhere - and hint at plans for a second site.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 19th July 2023

One of Manchester’s oldest and most iconic pubs has been listed for sale at a cool £1.4 million, leaving some wondering whether developers might swoop in and take one of our favourite city centre boozers away.

However, operators have confirmed they are not going anywhere – and even hinted at plans for a second site opening later this year.

The Grade II-listed Crown and Kettle pub in Ancoats has been a boozer since the early 19th century, but the building itself dates back to 1734 – having operated as a courthouse prior.

Famous for its historic ceiling, It was fully refurbished in 2020 after it cut its old brewery ties and came under the management of Alex Daw, also behind Sheffield arts venue Sidney & Matilda.

His company, Crown & Kettle Ltd, has occupied the building for about three years and has a long-term lease on the site with 20 years remaining.

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A spokesperson for the business confirmed to The Manc that the sale would not affect the pub, which continues to do a roaring trade from its Ancoats perch.

In fact, they revealed that the team has spent the past year and a half working behind the scenes to expand The Crown and Kettle – and will soon be submitting planning permission to extend the pub’s customer seating after purchasing the building next door.

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Image: The Crown and Kettle
Image: The Crown and Kettle

Edwards & Co Surveyors is marketing the sale of the business for the building’s owner, but the pub itself will continue to trade as normal.

Speaking to The Manc, a spokesperson for the pub revealed that operators were in the advanced phases of planning guest accommodation upstairs after purchasing the site next door.

They also revealed that Crown & Kettle Ltd has taken on a 20-year lease of a second historical pub site in Manchester city centre.

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Read more: The fate of Manchester’s rudest restaurant as original Australian sites collapse

A Crown & Kettle spokesman said: “We have bought outright the building that’s immediately next door, and we’re going to expand the pub so the customer area will be larger.”

They added that the process had taken a year and a half due to the listed status of the building, but they were now ‘just about ready’ to put in planning permission and, all being well, start renovations.

If successful, the application would see the pub add two floors of guest rooms upstairs in order to future proof the business.

Read more: Pub dog caught using the urinal leaves Stockport punters in stitches

Featured image – The Crown and Kettle

Eats

Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it. 

The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure. 

Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap. 

And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.

Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub. 

As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots. 

There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet. 

Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Delicious spring drinks
Delicious spring drinks
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar

A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals. 

Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta. 

And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut. 

Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce. 

“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar. 

“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”

Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather! 

“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”

To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new seafood bar, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester

Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.

With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.

Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.

They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.

The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.

And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.

Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.

They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”

They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.

British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.

A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

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