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.”
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.
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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?
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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.
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Back to the original, as it were – only completely different and basically one big adult playground. (Credit: Supplied)
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…
Smash-hit sandwich shop Earl’s is set to open another site in Bolton
Danny Jones
Yes, beloved Bolton butty shop and bar, Earl’s, is set to open up their second location in the Greater Manchester borough, taking the food from the town centre over to Farnworth.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a metropolitan expansion either this year or next, but for now, we’re just glad to hear we’re getting more of the good stuff.
Earl’s Day and Night Deli, to give them their full name, is the latest name to join the lineup of new foodie faces joining the culinary boom over at the Farnworth Green development.
Soon, the stacked sandwiches, quality coffee and laid-back vibes will be coming to one of the best up-and-coming new neighbourhoods.
Founded by two local lads, Jonny Eckersley and Andy Partington, the first venue only opened back in December of 2024, but has gone on to become a North West-wide sensation.
Carb connoisseurs will literally travel for this scran, and having tasted it for ourselves a couple of times now, it’s no wonder.
Taking inspiration not only from regional food and drink, but also from the wider atmospheres and culinary cultures of Lisbon, Sydney, Antwerp and more, if they can translate even half the levels of chill from the OG Earl’s into this soon-to-open sister site, we’re sure it will hit the ground running.
As per an official press release, fans and those who’ve never tried it before can “expect a menu packed with freshly made sandwiches, alongside a line-up of hot and cold options available for both grab-and-go and delivery.”
Crucially, they’re also looking to carry over that feeling of a seamless transition between services, blending everything from morning coffee runs and the lunch rush with casual evening hangs.
Co-founder Jonny said in a statement: “We are staying true to our roots by bringing a second Earl’s in Bolton. This new venture helps to fuel our expansion plans and widen our catchment area so even more local people can enjoy the Earl’s experience.
“We have big plans for the space and can’t wait to get started.” An exact opening date hasn’t even been confirmed yet, but we’re already getting excited.
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital and Centric (the developers behind Farnworth Green) added: “We back standout local operators, and Earl’s is right up there – great food, loads of energy and a proper following already behind them.
“Farnworth Green is shaping up to be a neighbourhood with real character, and Earl’s is only going to add to that. Expect it to be busy.”
Crown and Kettle set to take over another former Northern Quarter bar
Danny Jones
The team behind beloved Ancoats pub The Crown and Kettle have announced that they are set to take over another former bar and restaurant location in nearby Northern Quarter.
We were gutted to see the old place go, but at least we can’t think of many better to take over the unit.
The historic watering hole on the corner of Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street is said to have stood in that spot since the 18th century, but now the present owners have confirmed they’ll be taking on a third venue, having also opened The Rat and Pigeon back in June 2024.
Many of you may have been to one or multiple of its previous iterations of the site in question over the years, but most recently, it was the Calcio sports bar – and soon it’ll become ‘The Badger’.
Revealing the news online last week, Crown and Kettle wrote: “We’re delighted to announce that our new pub, The Badger, arrives on Dale Street this spring!
“Once home to Calcio, Allotment & Nickelbys, this beautiful old building first served as The Haunch of Venison public house back in the early 1800s. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work, quietly bringing it back to life & returning it to its roots as a community pub.
“With The Badger, we’ve set out to create the kind of place we love most, warm, welcoming, full of character, with all the charm of a great countryside pub in the heart of the city.
“Expect cosy corners, traditional pub foods, fine ales & the warmest of welcomes. Made for regulars. Open to all. Worth returning to. We can’t wait to welcome you to your new city centre local. GET SET(T)…” Oh, very good indeed.
We visited Calcio many times over the past couple of years, both for work and pleasure in our own free time; it was a great place to watch the footy, enjoy some matchday scran and roll back the years with retro videogames.
As mentioned, though, not only did it used to be one of multiple Allotment vegan and vegetarian eateries in Greater Manchester – thankfully, their presence still remains in multiple buildings – but it has a past long before that which many people bring up on social media.
Insert, “I remember when…’ post.
While we might not know much about what they have in store for this next chapter, knowing how much we love their current city centre favourites, we’re very excited.
As it stands, we’re also yet to hear anything about a more precise opening date, but at least we know it’s coming sometime soon, and we have every faith they’re going to smash it.
Danny Jones -
4th October 2024 
