In another gutting bit of Manc hospitality news, local favourite pizza spot PLY has sadly announced that it will be shutting down its long-standing location in the Northern Quarter.
Having grown to become a foodie and nightlife institution over on Lever Street and remaining one of the most popular pizza places in town pretty much since day one, PLY has been a mainstay on the Manchester culinary scene for nearly a decade.
Known for enticing mid-week deals that always welcomed back a regular crowd, great deals and discounts for students that always ensured it had an atmosphere well into the evenings, and serving up consistently delicious pizza and welcoming other independent traders, it’s a tough one to take.
PLY confirmed the gutting news in a lengthy post on their social media pages on Wednesday, 19 June, revealing that this will be the last week for people to visit their original NQ home.
The emotional statement confirming PLY’s closure reads as follows: “With a heavy heart, after nearly 10 years at Stevenson Square, this is our FINAL WEEK.
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“Opening back in March 2015, PLY, originally born as Neapolitan Pizza Joint, dazzled customers with its trendy art and giant Mirror Tiled Pizza Oven. A staple of the Northern Quarter food and drink scene throughout the years. Most recently, with the introduction of Independent food traders including Mickys, Cardinal Rule and Lazy Tony’s.
“Unfortunately, after 10 years, our home at 26 Lever Street is in need of some major TLC and renovations that are sadly out of our hands, which is why the decision to close our venue has been made…
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“We would love to say a huge thank you to our amazing staff, a team we are so proud of and know for sure will all go on to smash it. You truly are all (past and present) Amazing.
“Our wonderful independent traders Mickys, Cardinal Rule and Lazy Tony’s, our fantastic suppliers and contractors, our security team [and] everyone that has run an event at PLY over the years.
PLY Northern Quarter is closing after being a go-to pizza spot for the best part of 10 years. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
“The legend that being is Brian (if you’ve been fortunate to have ever met Brian you will know how much of a rock he is to all of us at PLY), you have all made this a truly wonderful ride, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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“Most of all, YOU, our fantastic customers and supporters, our regulars and now friends that have joined us for a pint, a birthday or even a wedding reception throughout the years, to you we say thank tou.
“But for now, we hope to see you all over this final week at PLY to say one final farewell. Come drink the place dry on Saturday (there will be big discounts).
As mentioned, the PLY brand as a whole will survive through the remaining locations in King Pins at Manchester Arndale Arndale, Trafford Palazzo, New Century and The Dockyard over at Barons Quay in Northwich, so at least it’s not goodbye completely.
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They also revealed that new tenants are set to move in and transform the space very soon, so the place you spent all those nights scanning slices isn’t gone forever and we eagerly await to see who takes over the reins.
Nevertheless, rest in peace to the original PLY and thanks for the memories.
Manchester institution Salvi’s announces closure of original city centre restaurant
Danny Jones
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.
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
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.
Iconic old Manchester boozer named the best pub in the UK
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most legendary pubs – which happens to be home to its most legendary landlady too – has been named the best in the UK.
The Peveril of the Peak has shot to the top of a list of the 22 Best Pubs in the UK, compiled by Time Out.
The comprehensive list spans the length and breadth of the country looking for the watering holes that nail a ‘convivial atmosphere, charming staff, charismatic decor and, above all, a varied selection of well-kept, well-served drinks’.
And it’s Manchester’s very own Peveril of the Peak, or The Pev, that made it into the number one spot, being labelled by judges as ‘perfect’.
Time Out praised the pub’s ‘dazzling’ tiled exterior, its jukebox and pool table, and its 96-year-old landlady Nancy Swanick, who (along with her family) has overseen the pub for more than 50 years.
The Peveril of the Peak wasn’t the only Manchester pub to make it onto the list of the best in the UK – there was also a nod for another local icon, The Marble Arch, which placed 15th.
Elsewhere in the North West, The Golden Lion in Todmorden, and The Roscoe Head in Liverpool made it onto the list, along with a couple of pubs in Sheffield.
Inside The PevThe Peveril of the Peak pub in Manchester
Speaking of The Pev, Time Out wrote: “The Peveril of the Peak — or the Pev, for short, always — is the kind of pub that’s so perfect, it deserves to serve as the venue for the wetting of your head, your wedding and your wake. And, preferably, as much life between.
“Standing freely on Great Bridgewater Street, the Pev beckons you in with its dazzling green, yellow and brown tiling, retro windows and heavy emerald door. Inside, it’s a ‘proper pub’ and then some: a jukebox, pool table and dartboard are all crammed into a cosy snug, smattered with vintage stools, sticky tables and framed Pub of the Year awards from decades gone by.
“The boozer — rumoured to be both a former brothel and a haunt for ghosts — has been overseen by legendary landlady Nancy Swanick, who still lives above the bar and is now well into her 90s, for over 50 years. Expect a knees-up for the ages when she hits the big 100. Cheers!”
The full list of Time Out’s 22 Best Pubs in the UK 2026
Danny Jones -
19th June 2024 
