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.
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“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!”
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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.
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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
Manchester dessert hatch receives two-star review for ‘smiling too much’
Daisy Jackson
A dessert hatch in Manchester city centre has spoken out after receiving a two-star review – in which the main criticism was that they ‘smiled too much’.
Layr, a tiny tiramisu spot in Ancoats, has publicly addressed the review, which said the staff’s friendliness was ‘almost creepy’.
The reviewer wrote: “Came today, had alright tiramisu but the staff were smiling too much it was almost creepy. Also felt interrogated, just wanted to get my tiramisu and leave, don’t think ill be back.”
Layr – which was also the victim of ‘hostile hate messages’ earlier this year – has now shared a response to the new two-star review.
They’ve said that while they will always take feedback on board, they refuse to change ‘the warmth & smiles you’re greeted with’.
Layr posted: “We absolutely recognise, and know that every customer experience matters. We never want anyone to feel uncomfortable visiting us, and always take every bit of feedback on board.
“Smiling is just who we are. Layr was built to feel warm, welcoming, and to be a memorable part of your day, week or month. We all need that little pick-me-up no matter what.
“Our amazing team all work incredibly hard, GENUINELY enjoy meeting so many of you and hearing about your day.
“If being too friendly gets us two stars, we can live with that.
“We’ll always choose warmth, no matter what. Great tiramisu matters, so does good people and amazing energy.
“A message to our team. Please don’t stop smiling. Ever.”
Huge beer hall in ‘up-and-coming’ Manchester neighbourhood announces shock closure after two years
Daisy Jackson
A huge beer hall and rotisserie chicken restaurant that opened just two years ago in Manchester has announced its shock closure.
Trading Route was a joint venture between some of the city’s most established hospitality figures, including Trof, Manchester Union, and Wandering Palate.
The brilliant local business has described how difficult it has been to operate as the only independent business in St John’s, ‘an area that is still described as ‘up-and-coming”.
They said that not enough footfall has not come to the area to support what they were building, which – combined with rising costs in the industry – has made it too difficult to continue operating.
They added: “We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.”
They then urged people to sign the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality, saying it could help to save your favourite places.
The Trading Route in Manchester has closed with immediate effectThe bar served great local beers and rotisserie chicken
Trading Route will close in Manchester with immediate effect.
Their full statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Trading Route with immediate effect.
“Rising costs and stagnant footfall have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with trading conditions particularly challenging over the previous three months.
“We spent our first 12 months operating amid ongoing construction in an area that is still described as “up-and-coming”. As the only independent business in the area, we needed footfall to grow to support what we were building. Unfortunately, that growth hasn’t materialised quickly enough.
“We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.
“It’s too late for us, but you could help save your favourite places by signing the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality to 10%. Independent bars, restaurants and pubs need your support to keep their doors open.
Danny Jones -
4th April 2023 
