One of the Northern Quarter’s most legendary pubs has closed down, with Mother Mac’s signs pulled down and builders already moved in.
The Back Piccadilly boozer has seen some things in its years, since first opening as a public house back in the 1870s.
Most notable would surely be the massacre that occurred here in 1976, when then-landlord Arthur Bradbury killed his wife, her three children and even the pub’s cleaner.
Then he started a fire that claimed his life too.
But far from shying away from its grizzly past, Mother Mac’s has always been strangely proud of its macabre history.
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A plaque detailing the brutal killings has long been mounted on the wall outside, and newspaper clippings about the murders have been framed inside the pub.
It’s spent 55 years as Mother Mac’s, even with the pub changing hands a few times along the way.
But now the pub has closed, its recognisable painted signs pulled down and currently propped up against a window inside.
Based on a current licensing application submitted to Manchester city council, it will reopen as The Rat & Pigeon – so appears it will still operate as a pub.
The names linked to the application have a long history with the local hospitality scene, including through the Crown & Kettle pub.
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Photos shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, show that Mother Mac’s is going to undergo a pretty serious makeover before reopening as The Rat & Pigeon.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Daisy Jackson -
10th April 2024 
