Two of the most frequented and beloved bars in Stockport, Doctor Feelgood and The Glass Spider, have sadly announced they are shutting down.
Establishing themselves as local institutions in just a few short years, they join the growing list of businesses going bust across Greater Manchester and the country in general, as businesses face increasing obstacles during a turbulent time for the UK economy.
Confirming the news of the immediate closures on social media, owner Joseph Patten expressed his “extreme sadness” at how things have transpired, but that he is thankful for “all the fond memories and wonderful customers” who made them the popular pubs they were.
Patten explained that the decision came down to a simple matter of “rising costs and the lack of people going out spending” as they were, with so many owners in the hospitality sector, especially, being forced to close their doors down to surging energy bills alone.
Credit: Dr Feelgood and Glass Spider (via Facebook)
Informing patrons on Facebook of Dr Feelgood’s closure via local forum ‘What’s On Stockport’, Joe wrote an emotional message, saying, “It was my absolute dream to bring Live music back to the market place. And I’ve had a blast doing so.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We had some absolutely insane artists perform here over the last year and a half, from Miles Kane to You Me At Six, Clint Boon and recently The Twang sold out. Not to mention all the insane Halloween parties.
“Doctor Feelgood [opened in 2021] was born from a mixture of lockdown and watching The Dirt on repeat on Netflix and a desire to bring a venue that plays Rock music through and through… I’m sad we won’t be able to carry on bringing you all these crazy gigs and good times, but it’s been one hell of a blast!”
ADVERTISEMENT
He went on to thank the customers for their loyalty even “through difficult times”, as well as his team and the “amazing manager Aaron”, adding: “I couldn’t be more proud of what we have achieved in such a short amount of time.” Then came his second announcement just an hour later.
Once again taking to Facebook, the actor-turned-bar owner informed fans of The Glass Spider — located just across the market square from Dr Feelgood — that the bar which started out as “the sequel to The Cracked Actor”, his first of four openings in Stockport, would sadly be following suit.
Joe went on to say that he opened the second site in 2020 when he “had a spring in [his] step and all the energy in the world”, but that he sadly doesn’t have that anymore and “if the climate was a little different” he would try again.
ADVERTISEMENT
Just as with Feelgoods, punters in the comments have said they are “gutted” and “absolutely heartbroken” to see the two go.
For now, he says “the right thing to do is to pass this lovely unit on to someone else” and while Dr Feelgood and Glass Spider might be closing down, he will continue to run “The Cracked Actor where it all began”, as well as his relatively new gaming bar Glitch, in the hopes that downsizing will see them survive.
Rest in peace to two of the best bars in Stockport, you will be missed and we wish Joe and his team all the best with his remaining and future ventures.
Featured Image — Dr Feelgood/The Glass Spider (via Facebook)
Eats
Sacha Lord set to back local hospitality again with money behind the bar of one Greater Manchester pub
Danny Jones
Local figure Sacha Lord is once again looking to help support Greater Manchester’s food and drink scene once again this spring by putting a total of £2.5k behind the bar of one lucky pub.
Well, let’s be honest, we’re about to be the real lucky ones.
It’s far from the first time that the Night Time Economy Advisor has done this, having previously put sizeable sums towards shared tabs on a few ocassions over the last few years.
Lining up his next handout for this coming early May bank holiday (perfect timing), it’s going to be a super and potentially very sloppy Sunday…
Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester.
Bank Holiday Sunday 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.
Sharing the video above online earlier this week, the 54-year-old simply wrote, “Tell me your favourite pub in Greater Manchester. Bank Holiday Sunday, 3rd May, I’ll be turning up and putting £2500 behind the bar.”
The message is as straightforward as ever: “Support your local pub.”
Now obviously, the fact that people can reply with their go-to boozers and help influence the decision is one thing – something that has certainly always created an attraction each time he’s done this – but it’s also just a good way of marketing these watering holes to begin with.
Whether or not someone’s favourite public house tucked away in one of the 10 boroughs, or their bar of choice here in Manchester city centre, ends up being selected or not, it’s obviously great publicity having their names plastered on a notable social media account.
This is especially so when you see how much the post itself ends up being reshared and the overall exposure Lord ultimately lends them via creating such a big crowd discussion.
Here’s hoping we get proper beer garden weather over that long weekend.
It’s also worth noting that the further support stunts like this have helped garner support for other regional businesses – in particular, indies that are battling the cost of living crisis and so many other challenges within the sector – has proved crucial for some places to stay open to begin with.
A good example is the Thirsty Korean, who teamed up with the Altrincham-born entrepreneur to cover hundreds of bills back in 2023, and has now been able to expand into a larger venue down the road from their original Chorlton location.
The obstacles facing the hospitality industry remain varied and numerous, but gestures like this can go a long way to helping prop up those who need it.
A huge new Irish bar has opened in Manchester city centre (yes, another one)
Daisy Jackson
There’s another new Irish pub in Manchester city centre, this time on one of our busiest nightlife strips, Peter Street.
Katie O’Brien’s has officially thrown open the doors to its enormous two-storey venue, taking over and transforming the former Peaky Blinders bar.
Inside, there are three bars pouring both Guinness AND Murphys, a huge elevated stage on its own mezzanine level, which will host live musicians seven nights a week, and walls packed with decor transporting you to the Emerald Isle.
The makeover they’ve given this massive unit really is quite something, creating all sorts of cosy corners and snug areas where you can nurse a pint of stout.
Faux fireplaces, leather booth seating, and low ceilings all set the tone for a relaxed pint in the snugs.
Or if you want something a little livelier, head to the heart of the bar, where you can dance the night away to the live entertainment above your head.
Manchester’s Katie O’Brien’s is set to be their largest Irish bar yet, with existing locations all over the UK, including in Leeds and Sheffield.
Their rapid expansion has now brought them to the heart of Manchester, where they’ll be neighbouring bustling nightlife spots like Albert’s Schloss, Manahatta, and Impossible.
Katie O’Brien’s has opened on Peter StreetIt’s taken over the old Peaky Blinders barCosy snugs in Katie O’Brien’sIt serves both Murphy’s AND Guinness
The venue has taken over what was once the Peaky Blinders bar, which shut down back in March.
The previous occupier had themed its venue and menu around the hit gangster show, with cocktails named after characters.
They wrote at the time: “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we unfortunately have to announce the closure of Peaky Blinders Manchester with immediate effect. On behalf of our entire team, we are truly thankful to every guest who has stepped through our doors since opening in 2018.
“We are devastated it has had to end this way, but grateful for the journey. Thank you so much for your continued support over the years. It’s been a blast, Manchester!”
Katie O’Brien’s is open now on Peter Street in Manchester.
Danny Jones -
4th April 2023 
