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Legendary landlady of The Peveril of the Peak pub has passed away

Nancy had been at the helm of the boozer for 55 years

Daisy Jackson - 30th July 2026

Nancy Swanick, the legendary landlady behind Manchester’s much-loved Peveril of the Peak pub, has died.

The pub shared a statement today to confirm that Nancy, 96, who was the pub’s landlady for more than 55 years, passed away earlier this week.

She’s become something of an icon across the UK and was the oldest and longest-serving landlady in the country.

The Peveril of the Peak – or simply The Pev, to most of us – had just been named the best pub in the UK earlier this week.

The Pev has now assured fans that the pub will remain in the Swanick family, even without Nancy at its helm.

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They said in their touching statement: “We will continue to cherish it as we did Nancy.”

In their full statement, The Peveril of the Peak wrote: “We are sad to say that our beloved Nancy, landlady for over 55 years, passed away peacefully on 28th July.

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A post shared by The Pev (@thepeverilofthepeak)

“Nancy always kept up to date with news about the Pev and we told her about our new accolade of Best Pub in the UK a few days ago.

“The Pev will stay in the Swanick family and we will continue to cherish it as we did Nancy.

“The pub will remain open thanks to our brilliant staff and, if you pop in anytime soon, please raise your glass to the wonder that was Nancy.

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“With love, The Swanicks.”

RIP to a true local legend.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

New croissants-by-day, pizza-by-night cafe and bar opens in Altrincham

Paddy's is opening in Altrincham this week

A new food and drink concept is opening its doors in Altrincham today, serving perfect personal-sized pizzas by night, and coffee and croissants by day.

The much-loved Irish Deli has sadly closed its doors, but the team are immediately rolling in a brand-new concept for the town.

Under one roof, Paddy’s will be the new home of Flakey (famed for their enormous, filled sweet and savoury croissants) as well as a pizza and cocktail bar.

The two concepts will share the cosy space beside Kennedy’s Irish Bar, right in the heart of Altrincham.

Customers will be able to pop in Monday to Sunday to pick up Flakey’s stuffed croissants, along with speciality coffee and matcha.

There’ll be savoury fillings like the Buff Italian (vegetable caponata, buffalo mozzarella, and pesto) and the New Yorker (Emmental, pastrami, sauerkraut and pickles), plus sweet options like the Sticky BC (vanilla Basque cheesecake and Biscoff).

Speciality drinks and stuffed Flakey croissants

The team outside Paddy's — Speciality drinks and stuffed Flakey croissants

By night, Paddy’s will take the stage, named after the former Irish terrier of the owner’s grandmother.

These individually-sized, handcrafted pan-pizzas will be loaded with toppings like the Paddy’s Pep with chilli and burrata, and The Dubliner with Irish sausage and pickled red onion.

During opening week (30 July – 2 August) Paddy’s is offering 50% off all pizzas for guests at Kennedy’s between the hours of 3pm-5pm.

Owners, Dan Mullen and John Kennedy said: “We’ve designed it to evolve throughout the day – start with coffee and croissants, come back for pizza, and stay for a pint or a cocktail. It’s one site, two distinct food experiences, and neither compromises the other.

“Two brands sharing one building with completely different moods, and we think Altrincham is going to love both. Our goal is to create a venue that’s full of life from open til close.”

Ahead of opening, Paddy’s is hosting a pizza hunt, where twenty branded Pizza-Pan boxes will be hidden around Altrincham, each containing a voucher, t-shirt, drinks voucher or – for the lucky few – a “pizza for life” keyring. Clues will be revealed daily on Instagram, with finders posting under #PaddysPizzaHunt to claim their prize and a free pizza on opening night.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Manchester institution Salvi’s announces closure of original city centre restaurant

Salvi's Manchester Italian original restaurant closing

One of Manchester’s oldest and most loved Italian restaurants, Salvi’s, has sadly announced that they are closing their original restaurant after more than a decade and a half.

Having served authentic recipes from Naples and been at the forefront of the cuisine in this city for well over 15 years, it can be hard to remember a time before Salvi’s.

With that in mind, we’re gutted to hear that their OG location over in the Corn Exchange is now shutting its doors imminently.

But fret not: it’s not all doom and gloom, as they promise this isn’t the last you’ll see of them.

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A post shared by Salvi's (@salvismcr)

Often considered the first true Manc-Neapolitan eatery, which turned from a small counter and deli into, at one point, a big and beloved group of local independent restaurants with multiple locations, most people know the name and the sign, and plenty have patronised them since day one.

Sharing an emotional message in the caption of the post above, founder Maurizio Cecco and his wife Claire said: “For sixteen years, Salvi’s has been part of Manchester’s story. We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve built together.

“As the city changes, independent businesses have to change too. Today will be our last day of trading at Corn Exchange. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey all these years.

“This isn’t the end of our story; it’s the beginning of a new chapter – stay tuned. Grazie Mille.”

Unsurprisingly, the reaction to the news has been bittersweet, with people obviously saddened to hear of this latest closure but also looking back fondly on its past.

One person wrote in the comments: “I remember launching this amazing place all those years ago and have continued to watch you thrive!! Best of luck for the future!” Another added: “Will miss Salvi’s great food, great staff, not forgetting the Italian festival. All the best, Maurizio and family in your new adventure

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A post shared by Festa Italiana Manchester (@festaitalianamcr)

As mentioned, it’s also worth noting that Maurizio and Claire are also behind the equally famous Festa Italiana, which draws crowds of tens of thousands across a full weekend every single year.

Having been regulars and firm fans of both their first family-owned flagship site and the aforementioned festival for many years, we’re equally gutted to see it go.

But as they made clear, this is not a definite ending for the brand, and it’s safe to say we’ll be eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.

Thanks for the memories and all the incredible food and drink you’ve served us – we hope we hear from you again sometime very soon.

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Featured Images — The Manc Eats