Eats

The Footage pub is set to reopen under a new name following a £1 million transformation

The opening date has now been confirmed and it won't be the same pub you remember.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 4th October 2024

Not long after quietly closing its doors and being put on the market, beloved student pub and Manchester institution The Footage has officially been leased to a new operator and is now set for a truly transformative £1 million makeover – and a new name.

Well, sort of. Technically set to return to its old moniker, The Grosvenor, the bustling pub that sustained university students for years, previously served as a bingo hall and was once the largest cinema outside of London decades before that, the place is going back to its ‘Picture Palace’ roots, at least in namesake.

The Grade II-listed building which was first opened back in 1915 was listed on Rightmove for just £1 last month (no, not a typo) and has now been leased by an independent local operator on the cheap, but is now set to have huge investment pumped into as they prepare to turn it into something entirely new.

Promising to become a cutting-edge hybrid between hospitality and social space, the aim is to create “the ultimate adult escapism experience in central Manchester.”

the footage pub becoming the grosvenor oxford road manchester
Beloved Manchester boozer The Footage may be no more but The Grosvenor is being reborn. (Credit: Supplied)

Complete with the huge sports screens that were always a staple for the regular Footage crowd, as well as some outrageous new interiors such as a massive six by three-metre ball pool for adults to unleash their inner big kid, the vision is very different from just reopening as another newly refurbished pub.

The spacious drinking and dining spot will feature 30 beer taps and a wide selection of sharing-focused food like buckets of wings, loaded pizzas, platters and big burgers, but will also serve as an entertainment hub, with pool tables, beer pong, darts and much more.

There’s even going to be a big whimsical carousel for people to take a turn on, because why the hell not?

Now officially set to reopen at The Grosvenor on Saturday, 2nd November and stay open from noon until midnight (make that 2am on Fridays and Saturdays), the idea is you can spend all day here and even capture all your memories in the photo booth at the end of the night.

Be it a bottomless brunch, simple after-work drinks with friends, private events or just somewhere to watch the game, the space will offer something for everyone. There’s also going to be a FREE bar from 5-7pm at the launch party which will hosted by club night, ‘Edit presents’, so it’s a no-brainer really.

Better yet, they’re making sure to carry on The Footage dynasty and keep the aspects people loved so much intact, starting with those student deals and even offering the most eager of punters some early discounts, offers and even a freebie by signing up to the new website.

Back to the original, as it were – only completely different and basically one big adult playground. (Credit: Supplied)

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Chris Tulloch, Managing Director and founder of Blind Tiger Inns – the company behind the transformation and existing Greater Manchester venues like The Station Hotel in Altrincham and The White Horse in Irlam, is understandably buzzing about the project.

“The Grosvenor is in the midst of an incredible transformation, and we’re creating something truly special for Manchester. Our vision is to blend the best aspects of a sports bar, social venue, and nightclub into one vibrant, unforgettable space where memories are made.

“As we breathe new life into this iconic building, we’re excited to continue its legacy as a cornerstone of Manchester’s entertainment, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in to eat, drink and have fun in the adult playground.”

Located on the corner of Oxford Road and Grosvenor St, The Grosvenor is striving to achieve the ‘ultimate hybrid hospitality and entertainment experience’ and provide an unrivalled experience on Manchester’s ever-evolving hospitality scene.

We’re very much looking forward to enjoying The Footage like never before and seeing what goes into £1m transformation when The Grosvenor opens to the Manchester public on Saturday, 2 November – and be sure to make the most of that free bar! We also happen to have a little competition for you…

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied

Eats

Bundobust and Madre announce bold new Indo-Mexican collaboration

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall Madre and Bundobust are teaming up

Two of Manchester’s best-loved casual dining spots are joining forces for a limited-edition collaboration.

Bundobust and Madre will be teaming up this summer to create a menu inspired by two world-famous street food cultures – India, and Mexico.

The Indo-Mexican menu will feature dishes like ‘Naanchos’, and plenty of other Desi-flavoured Mexican dishes.

It’ll be mashing up iconic ingredients, techniques, and flavours, with a menu of brand new spice-packed dishes and cocktails combining Desi and Mexican influence.

So, what can we expect?

Mexican street food classics chimichanga and quesadillas get the Desi treatment, while Bundobust’s Indian street food favourites like chaat get a little Latino heat.

All paired with spicy summer-time cocktails, as a homage to Mexican drinking culture, plus the return of Bundobust Brewery’s new golden Cerveza, SANJA Mexican Lager.

We can’t think of a better place to spend our summer evenings to be quite honest.

On the menu there are crunchy Indo-Mexican ‘naanchos’, topped with salsa verde, crema, tamarind, onion, coriander, and a punchy pickle masala.

Madre and Bundobust are teaming up
Madre and Bundobust are teaming up
Naanchos, from the Bundobust x Madre menu
Naanchos, from the Bundobust x Madre menu

There’ll also be a ‘Tikkadilla’ – a corn tortilla packed with oyster mushrooms, red tikka sauce and Oaxaca cheese, with a side of desi birria sauce for dipping.

That’s alongside masala chimichanga, birria-ani, and corn chaat.

Then you can wash that down with a cashew colada, an avocado lassi, spicy mango margs and loads more.

The Indo-Mexican menu will be available at all Bundobust and Madre locations from Monday 14 July until Sunday 17 August 2025.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Northern Quarter cafe to give out 100 FREE slices of cake to celebrate its birthday

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A little Northern Quarter cafe is celebrating a big milestone this week, and is giving out 100 free slices of cake for the occasion.

Nibble is turning eight this week, and nothing makes a birthday better than cake.

The female-run independent cafe on Oldham Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter first opened its doors to hungry Mancs back in July 2017, after owner and manager Lauren had dreams to take her business of selling brownies at local artisan markets and turn them into a cosy cafe of her own that catered to people with all sorts of dietary requirements.

The cafe has since been acknowledged by tastemakers as one of the most accessible places in Manchester.

Not only is Nibble known and loved for serving up some of the best homemade bakes in the city, with something for everyone to tuck choose from, but they also provide a tasty selection of all-day brunch dishes, salads, and sandwiches, as well as corporate catering too.

So of course, to celebrate eight years of the lovely Nibble team feeding the good people of Manchester, the business is giving away free slices of birthday cake on Friday.

Nibble NQ is giving away 100 free slices of birthday cake / Credit: The Manc Group

After doing something similar to celebrate their birthday last year, this time around they’re taking things once step further, as it’s not just 100 free slices of scrumptious cake you can get your hands on, there’s plenty other prizes too.

Nibble will be ‘levelling up’ and throwing in some ‘hidden surprises’ in the form of vouchers, giving people an opportunity to win a free brunch, brownie box, or coffee and cake. 

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To be in with a chance of taking away one of the 100 free slices of birthday cake, all you’ll need to do is head to Nibble on Oldham Street this Friday (11 July) and line up outside the cafe from 9:30am, then you may just be lucky enough to start of your day in the sweetest way possible.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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