Comprised of just three stitched together pieces of cotton, for generations now the t-shirt has functioned as a really basic way of telling the world who and what you are.
Long championed by music fans and politicos alike as a form of self-expression, over the years the humble t-shirt has become a great visual shorthand for promoting – and defending – causes close to your chest.
Now they’re being adopted by another group with a cause: the Manchester hospitality sector.
From late-night pizza parlours to gin bars, mental health coffee shops and hoagie spots, there’s now a glut of businesses in the city working with local artists to create their own design-savvy merchandise – and locals have been quick to snap them up.
It’s not all t-shirts, either. There’s beanies, caps, tote bags, jumpers, hoodies – you name it, someone in the hospitality scene has stuck a design on it and marketed it to their customers during Covid.
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But this is not a vanity project, far from it. Rather, the income stream that merch sales have brought in has been invaluable to struggling Manchester businesses over the past year and a half.
For some, it’s also served as a small act of rebellion against decision-makers they feel have let them down in their time of need.
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Interestingly, some of the earliest people to grasp this within hospitality were the staff themselves.
Bundobust
Bundobust
In October last year, a group of Manchester bartenders got together (virtually, we assume) to ask how the hell they could support and help those that weren’t in as fortunate a position within the hospitality industry.
At the time, many of their fellow employees were losing their jobs and there was only one charity that seemed to be helping them: Hospitality in Action.
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The solution? Sell some merchandise and donate the proceeds to charity.
They quickly moved to create some tongue-in-cheek MAGA-style hats that read ‘Make Bedtime Late Again’ – raising much-needed funds for struggling teammates as well as awareness for their cancel the curfew campaign.
Others were quick to follow.
Manchester’s part-time pizza parlour Crazy Pedro’s commissioned a series of murals outside their venue at the end of 2020 that became synonymous with the hospitality sector’s struggle / Image: Crazy Pedro’s.
At Atlas Bar on Deansgate, a spot renowned for having the best and biggest collection of gin in the city, bosses moved to create their own Premium Small Batch London Dry Atlas Gin as a way to bring the bar back into people’s homes.
They – like many others – also launched a range of “at home” experiences, which quickly got snapped up by customers fed up with supermarket gins.
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“The revenue has created much-needed cash flow, which certainly supported paying bills through lockdown,” acknowledges Managing Director Elaine Wrigley when we chat about the impact of the past year.
But one place in Manchester that has perhaps done more than any other on the merch front is part-time pizza parlour Crazy Pedros, part of The Liars Group.
It all began with customers buying ‘pay it forward’ vouchers, says Nick Coupland, head of marketing and social, when we catch up on how things were during that crazy time in March last year, but things quickly evolved beyond that.
The company has always sold merchandise for Pedros and has long worked with local artist Harrison Edwards on their branding across the group to come up with quirky designs, from pizza boxes that look like actual pieces of art to bespoke cans of Pedro’s Hooch.
NQ64
NQ64
But things really picked up when they started selling their politically charged ‘Buck Foris’ t-shirts in October following the Tier announcements.
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These sold out almost instantaneously, Nick tells us – adding that they saw a 400% increase in sales after releasing the designs online.
For many loyal restaurant fans, buying merch has become an easy way to support their favourite eateries through a series of lockdowns that has left much of Manchester’s hospitality in rags.
The income has been especially important to the city’s many bars and pubs without a food offering, who have spent more of the past year closed than open.
The pizza boxes at Crazy Pedro’s go far beyond the average / Image: Crazy Pedro’s
It’s not been an easy one for the sector. In fact, according to United City, from March 2020 to March 2021 Greater Manchester was only in restrictions equivalent to Tier One for a total of three weeks.
This means, in the space of a year, hospitality businesses (which account for 33% of all employment in Manchester) lost out not just on their all-important Christmas trade, but also Bank Holidays, Pride celebrations, Halloween, and more.
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It’s also perhaps unsurprising that the sudden increase in demand for restaurant t-shirts has aligned with the closing of gig venues and nightclubs.
In a way, going out for dinner has become the new “going out”, and was emphasised all too clearly at Escape to Freight Island’s chaotic KANTINA weekend, which somehow managed to create a queueing system more disastrous than Manchester Pride’s ill-fated 2019 festival.
Whatever the reason, things have certainly changed and, as ever, Manchester is pushing back.
The DIY attitude of the punk era is in vogue once again, and this time it’s Manchester’s restaurants and bars leading the charge.
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Lantern Pike – the countryside walk with amazing views, an old railway line, and a great pub at the end
Daisy Jackson
If you’re looking for a country walk that’s got a bit of everything – we’re talking views, lakes, history, picturesque villages and, crucially, pints – this is the one.
Step across the Greater Manchester border into High Peak, and you can take on a circular walk that’s got it all.
The walk takes in all the best bits of the English countryside, from rolling hills to proper pubs.
Park in the village of Hayfield, with an optional stop at Marmalade Coffee Shop for a bacon sandwich and some caffeine.
Then head out west to join the Sett Valley Trail, which joins Hayfield and New Mills.
The trail itself is 2.5 miles and follows a former railway line – but now it’s a tree-lined trail that’s perfect for a gentle stroll, cycle or even horse ride.
Lantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc GroupLantern Pike in the Peak District. Credit: The Manc Group
You’ll pass the Birch Vale reservoir, but won’t be following the trail all the way to New Mills.
Instead, turn off to the right to cross the River Sett and walk towards Sitch Lane.
The road will take you to the very edge of the Peak District ready for an uphill climb to the peak of Lantern Pike.
It’s not a giant by Peak District standards (373m compared to Kinder Scout’s 636m) but the views are 360 degrees – fields on all sides and the incredible Manchester skyline in the distance.
Walk straight over the summit and back down the other side, passing the Lantern Pike pub (we won’t judge if you pause for a pint here), cross the road, and join Snake Path.
This will take you past Twenty Trees, which is literally a group of trees standing on its own, and back into Hayfield.
Here you’ll find The Pack Horse, a country pub that’s gained some serious accolades in the last year.
Despite a top-notch menu, the pub is more than happy to welcome in customers (and dogs) who are covered in mud – as all good countryside boozers should.
You can see a map of the circular walking route at alltrails.com.
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Hairspray lands at the Palace Theatre, proving to audience members that you really can’t stop the beat
Oli Lowe
Energetic ensemble numbers, lavish costumes and stand-out performances: Hairspray welcomes everyone to the 60s in its latest tour production.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll hold very fond memories of the 2007 movie-musical version of Hairspray, a cinematic masterpiece that breathed new life into the already iconic musical. I bring this version of the show up because until last night it was my only experience of the story.
Yes, much to my shame, I had never seen a live production of the show but after coming out of the Palace Theatre last night, I can now say that Hairspray‘s latest tour production is just as fun-loving – and as free wheeling.
From start to finish, Hairspray is a vibrant, colourful, high-energy show which takes you on the journey of teenage misfit Tracey Turnblad as she deals with the struggles of pursuing her dreams, in the face of adversity and a 1960s America that seems determined to halt progression.
The entire cast gave stellar performances from leading lady Alexander Emmerson-Kirby in the role of Tracy, all the way through to the ensemble who constantly wooed me with brilliantly executed dance routines, filled to the brim with swinging-sixties dance moves.
I’d like to take a second to highlight some standout performances, which in my opinion elevated the show to new heights. Starting with Neil Hurst in the role of Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s ‘larger-than-life’ mum.
Neil was a constant comic relief throughout a show that whilst generally lighthearted does tackle some serious issues such as unrealistic female beauty standards and racial segregation.
Neil, alongside his comedic partner Dermot Canavan, gave a standout, belly-laugh performance of their duet ‘You’re Timeless To Me’. It truly had the audience in fits of laughter and lauded huge applause from the entire theatre.
On to Gina Murray as Velma Von Tussle and Michelle Ndegwa as ‘Motormouth’ Maybelle. Both gave superb renditions of their solo numbers and showcased their experience in every scene they were in.
Murray’s rendition of Miss Baltimore Crabs (still always caught off-guard by that name) was impressive, to say the least, with the performer delivering big and bold vocals, all whilst being held upside down by a group of the male cast.
Meanwhile, Michelle Ndegwa’s version of ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’ was spellbindingly beautiful. It carried with it the weight and severity of the number, all whilst delivering knock-out vocals that were filled to the brim with pain and suffering.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16th July 2024 in ManchesterStunning vocals all around.
Finally, a small shoutout to Reece Richards as Seaweed. Growing up (and occasionally to this day) I tried many times to stumble my way through Seaweed’s big number, ‘Run And Tell That’, and let me tell you from experience, that’s one damn hard song to sing…
Reece delivered the number expertly, all whilst dancing in a routine that even just watching, made me feel slightly exhausted. Props to Reece… One day I will nail that opening high note (I won’t).
All in all, Hairspray delights, delivering laughter, splendor, and high fuelled entertainment from start to finish – we’d consider a must-see if you’re a fan of the film, especially.
The show runs through till 27th July and with limited tickets still available, there’s no reason to not get yourself down and enjoy an evening of mesmerising, musical fun. You can grab yours HERE.
Hairspray Production Photos taken on 16 July 2024 at the Palace Theatre in ManchesterSeriously, give it a go.