Ever since its relaunch in 2022, The Deansgate pub in Manchester has had one of the city’s best rooftop bars.
But the pub’s beautiful two-storey terrace, with views of the Deansgate Square towers, has suddenly been dwarfed by a development next door.
It’s not just a big tower – it’s an L-shaped tower that’s quite literally hugging two sides of the pub.
Your view currently is of its concrete spine, later to be replaced by shiny glass and brick and concrete.
As things stand, The Deansgate can’t even open its rooftop terraces, so close is the construction site to where punters should be nursing a Guinness.
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And when it is able to open, its views of the southern city centre skyline will be completely blocked by the 22-storey, 357-bedroom aparthotel being built at 325 Deansgate.
The tower, from Dean Street Developments, is going to be so tall, it will also be cosying right up to Beetham Tower’s Cloud 23, historically the city’s leading sky bar.
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Fans of the reborn boozer are, understandably, gutted.
The Deansgate’s rooftop terrace last summer. Credit: The Manc GroupHow the same terrace looks now
When photos of the construction site were shared on local Facebook groups, one person commented: “Beautiful character building and bridge dwarfed by the new grey builds. There has been no attempt to blend these tower blocks.”
Another questioned: “Jesus, how did this get through planning due to the implications on the pub next door and one of the nicest beer gardens in town.”
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Someone else said: “Lower Turks Head. Briton’s Protection. The Black Friar, Salford. The Deansgate. The Sir Ralph Abercrombie. I’m certain that there must be more – probably many more – local pubs now dwarfed into insignificance (or soon to be) by the “New Manchester”. There can’t be much more sky left to build over can there?”
Several people have compared The Deansgate to P J Clarke’s in Manhattan, a brick-built pub that still stands unchanged even as gigantic glass structures popped up on all sides.
The view from The Deansgate’s roof terrace has been covered by a new skyscraperThe huge aparthotel is taking shape beside the pub
Of course, even without the rooftop terrace space, The Deansgate has a lot going for it.
There are bars and cosy snugs spreading across three floors, retained features like stained-glass windows and woodwork, and a menu of traditional pub favourites.
The Deansgate isn’t the only pub that’s being bullied by a sharp-edged glass monolith either.
And the Lower Turk’s Head’s beer garden now has a view straight up the side of the tower block nicknamed the ‘Shudehill Shard’.
Amber Leaff, general manager for the Deansgate commented: “The Deansgate continues to operate as normal indoors, with three floors offering visitors plenty of space to enjoy a drink or some classic pub food and we’re delighted to continue to welcome customers through the door.”
You can already see the aparthotel taking shape beside The Deansgate pub
The Greater Manchester book café serving literary afternoon teas and build-your-own bouquets
Daisy Jackson
If you like your afternoon tea with a side of good books, there’s a Greater Manchester café where you can quite literally have your cake and read it too.
Tucked inside this charming bookish spot, afternoon tea arrives with an unexpected twist. Rather than being presented with the usual three-tiered stand, you’re handed a stack of heavy hardback books.
But don’t start worrying that you’ve accidentally wandered into a very niche library club. The books are hiding something.
Lift the covers in Peony & Parchment – or, more accurately, open the book-shaped boxes – and you’ll discover a full afternoon tea concealed inside.
There are dainty sandwiches to get stuck into, including tiny egg mayo, herby chicken salad, ham and mustard, and cheese and tomato focaccia, alongside a little quiche.
Then comes the scone – classic, fluffy and ready for the obligatory dollop of clotted cream and jam. And, because no afternoon tea should leave you feeling like you’ve been short-changed in the cake department, there are five miniature slices to work through.
Afternoon tea concealed in a stack of booksSome of the other bakes on display
There’s a Victoria sponge with a dreamy vanilla cream, lemon drizzle, rich chocolate cake, a Bakewell slice and a pecan pie, all sourced from a local bakery just across the alleyway.
It’s all served with a pot of tea or coffee, with the option to add a glass of prosecco.
And the bookish theme doesn’t stop at the afternoon tea.
Downstairs you’ll find shelves packed with books, including the intriguing ‘blind books’. Instead of judging a book by its cover, you’ll be given clues and a short summary of what lies inside before taking a gamble on your mystery read.
Downstairs in Peony & Parchment‘Blind books’A role playing village for kids
There’s also plenty here to keep younger visitors entertained, thanks to a children’s area complete with a mini role-playing village.
And if books and cake weren’t enough, there’s another string to this café’s bow.
The Bloom Bar lets you build your own bouquet. Choose the size you want, then wander around selecting your own stems and foliage to create something that’s uniquely yours.
You can build your own bouquetThe Bloom Bar at Peony & Parchment
Of course, you don’t have to be visiting specifically for the afternoon tea. The wider menu includes tapas, full breakfasts and sandwiches, making it just as suitable for a leisurely brunch, lunch or coffee-and-cake stop.
So whether you’re there to discover your next favourite novel, assemble a bouquet, entertain the kids or simply eat your way through five different miniature cakes, this is one café where there are plenty of chapters to explore.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Daisy Jackson -
18th February 2024 
