A northern brewery has banned children from its waterside taproom amid fears for their safety.
Torrside Brewery in New Mills, Derbyshire, has caused a stir online after being the latest boozer to tell parents to leave their offspring at home when heading out for a drink.
Writing that ‘the brewery is not a safe environment for children to move around unsupervised’, owners published a statement explaining their decision to ban children from the venue after ‘a number of incidents at recent events.’
The team stressed that they had ‘very reluctantly’ made the decision to ban under 18s as the result of ‘some parents’ allowing their children to ‘wander around the brewery and the marina unsupervised.’
Explaining that ‘the Marina is private property with a large body of water’, the team continued to say that ‘there is too great a risk of accident, injury or damage’ – adding that they ‘don’t have the staff or capacity to manage these risks.’
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Image: Torrside Brewery
Image: Torrside Brewery
The full statement, posted on Twitter, reads: “Following a number of incidents at recent events, we have very reluctantly decided to adopt an ‘over-18s only’ entry policy at the brewery.
“As we have often repeated, the brewery is not a safe environment for children to move around unsupervised, the Marina is private property with a large body of water. In particular, now that our events are getting increasingly busy, there is too great a risk of accident, injury or damage. On a practical level, we don’t have the staff or capacity to manage these risks.
“We feel we have exhausted other options: we’ve asked nicely in person, posted regular reminders on social media, put posters all around the brewery, and attached details to every table. Every time we open however, we have some parents allowing their children to wander around the brewery and the marina unsupervised.
“We are truly sorry to those of you who have visited the brewery with your children and behaved impeccably. We know this is a minority who are unwilling or unable to follow our very clear requests, but this constantly causes a disproportionate amount of work and stress.
“Simply put, we are not comfortable having responsibility for these risks placed over our heads. We want our events to be safe and enjoyable for everyone, including the brewery team, and we don’t feel we can achieve that without making this change.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Users were quick to comment, with one person saying: “It’s a shame that you have to do this. But unreasonable people are always going to be unreasonable… Shame you can’t weed them out and stop them returning…”
A pub owner in Sheffield wrote: “IMO, a small amount of parents will allow their children to freely express themselves with little consequence to their actions. ‘He’s just being himself’ was quoted back to me after one cherub had ripped every flower head off in the beer garden. You’ve made the right decision.”
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A third person commented: “It must always be frustrating for the brewery staff that an irresponsible minority spoils it. Respect your decision in this matter.”
Smash-hit sandwich shop Earl’s is set to open another site in Bolton
Danny Jones
Yes, beloved Bolton butty shop and bar, Earl’s, is set to open up their second location in the Greater Manchester borough, taking the food from the town centre over to Farnworth.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a metropolitan expansion either this year or next, but for now, we’re just glad to hear we’re getting more of the good stuff.
Earl’s Day and Night Deli, to give them their full name, is the latest name to join the lineup of new foodie faces joining the culinary boom over at the Farnworth Green development.
Soon, the stacked sandwiches, quality coffee and laid-back vibes will be coming to one of the best up-and-coming new neighbourhoods.
Founded by two local lads, Jonny Eckersley and Andy Partington, the first venue only opened back in December of 2024, but has gone on to become a North West-wide sensation.
Carb connoisseurs will literally travel for this scran, and having tasted it for ourselves a couple of times now, it’s no wonder.
Taking inspiration not only from regional food and drink, but also from the wider atmospheres and culinary cultures of Lisbon, Sydney, Antwerp and more, if they can translate even half the levels of chill from the OG Earl’s into this soon-to-open sister site, we’re sure it will hit the ground running.
As per an official press release, fans and those who’ve never tried it before can “expect a menu packed with freshly made sandwiches, alongside a line-up of hot and cold options available for both grab-and-go and delivery.”
Crucially, they’re also looking to carry over that feeling of a seamless transition between services, blending everything from morning coffee runs and the lunch rush with casual evening hangs.
Co-founder Jonny said in a statement: “We are staying true to our roots by bringing a second Earl’s in Bolton. This new venture helps to fuel our expansion plans and widen our catchment area so even more local people can enjoy the Earl’s experience.
“We have big plans for the space and can’t wait to get started.” An exact opening date hasn’t even been confirmed yet, but we’re already getting excited.
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital and Centric (the developers behind Farnworth Green) added: “We back standout local operators, and Earl’s is right up there – great food, loads of energy and a proper following already behind them.
“Farnworth Green is shaping up to be a neighbourhood with real character, and Earl’s is only going to add to that. Expect it to be busy.”
Crown and Kettle set to take over another former Northern Quarter bar
Danny Jones
The team behind beloved Ancoats pub The Crown and Kettle have announced that they are set to take over another former bar and restaurant location in nearby Northern Quarter.
We were gutted to see the old place go, but at least we can’t think of many better to take over the unit.
The historic watering hole on the corner of Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street is said to have stood in that spot since the 18th century, but now the present owners have confirmed they’ll be taking on a third venue, having also opened The Rat and Pigeon back in June 2024.
Many of you may have been to one or multiple of its previous iterations of the site in question over the years, but most recently, it was the Calcio sports bar – and soon it’ll become ‘The Badger’.
Revealing the news online last week, Crown and Kettle wrote: “We’re delighted to announce that our new pub, The Badger, arrives on Dale Street this spring!
“Once home to Calcio, Allotment & Nickelbys, this beautiful old building first served as The Haunch of Venison public house back in the early 1800s. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work, quietly bringing it back to life & returning it to its roots as a community pub.
“With The Badger, we’ve set out to create the kind of place we love most, warm, welcoming, full of character, with all the charm of a great countryside pub in the heart of the city.
“Expect cosy corners, traditional pub foods, fine ales & the warmest of welcomes. Made for regulars. Open to all. Worth returning to. We can’t wait to welcome you to your new city centre local. GET SET(T)…” Oh, very good indeed.
We visited Calcio many times over the past couple of years, both for work and pleasure in our own free time; it was a great place to watch the footy, enjoy some matchday scran and roll back the years with retro videogames.
As mentioned, though, not only did it used to be one of multiple Allotment vegan and vegetarian eateries in Greater Manchester – thankfully, their presence still remains in multiple buildings – but it has a past long before that which many people bring up on social media.
Insert, “I remember when…’ post.
While we might not know much about what they have in store for this next chapter, knowing how much we love their current city centre favourites, we’re very excited.
As it stands, we’re also yet to hear anything about a more precise opening date, but at least we know it’s coming sometime soon, and we have every faith they’re going to smash it.
Georgina Pellant -
11th May 2023 
