For many people, when they think of the hub of esports activity they are transported to the glitz and glamour of huge US-based tournaments, with thousands of screaming fans watching their heroes battle it out on their favourite game in an effort to win potentially millions of dollars.
The last thing you’d imagine is that an esports publisher would be based right here in Manchester. Unbelievably, an up-and-coming website named GGRecon is making waves in the industry, with the help of a familiar face.
The website was launched back in December 2019, after the man behind Betfed, Fred Done, invested in a scrappy young Manc lad who’d been working for him since 2013 – Chris Young.
Chris had started off in Betfred’s customer services department, but had worked his way up to Head of Product. He introduced massive changes in retail to overall grow revenues across the group from millions to tens of millions. After Fred decided that he wanted to make Manchester’s best esports publisher, alongside his other sport-focused website – funnily enough called The Sportsman, he decided that Chris had proved he was the person for the job.
GGRecon takes the title of Manchester’s best esports publisher due to the fact that it’s really an untapped market here in the buzz of media outlets. We have word-class talent all over our great city, but only one that is focused solely on esports. The team, which only consisted of two people back in December, has now grown to 14 people.
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With an average age of 25, the team is certainly young. In fact, their Head of Operations is 22 years old. Jake Bannister founded the company alongside Chris after working his way up from being a shop manager for William Hill at just 19, before moving to Betfred. An esports fan from the age of 16, it was always a passion point for him.
GGRecon’s editorial team has experience from other Manchester-based media powerhouses such as LADbible and Social Chain, but also Digital Spy, Esquire, BBC, Sky News, and Radio Times.
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Their video team is a mix of former-UNILAD staff, as well as brand-new gaming talent, with a combined total of over 20 years’ experience in social media and video editing.
They have been making waves in the industry, recently being made media partner for a VALORANT invitational, covering the tournament with bespoke articles, videos, and other content.
The company is currently working on a brand-new website, which will take inspiration from other sporting sites. There will be a widget that shows current tournaments, former tournaments, and upcoming ones, similar to how football sites format their games.
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GGRecon is also moving into a new office in the next few months, with a state-of-the-art gaming room. There will also be a studio dedicated to live-streaming the latest games, and daily news content.
If you’re a Manc into esports, make sure you keep an eye on these guys. They’re changing the game.
Feature
‘If only he was here’: Peter Hook reflects on Ian Curtis as Joy Division join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Danny Jones
We were lucky enough to play a part in a bit of music history (albeit only a small one) this week, as we had the privilege of chatting with the one and only Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order, as the pair were finally admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A long overdue bit of recognition, if you ask, but a momentous day nonetheless.
Chatting with Hooky and a long-time friend, collaborator, and beloved Manchester-based DJ, Graeme Park, in the aftermath of being named in the ‘Class of 2026’, he was visibly moved and honoured by the announcement. Here’s what he had to say…
Joking from the off by repeating Graeme’s initial question, “How does it feel?” (an absolute tap-in, that one), the 70-year-old bassist and co-founder of both iconic Greater Manchester groups admitted that they “had a couple of false starts”, to put it mildly, but went on to add: “we can only thank our fans.”
Confessing there has been somewhat of a mixed reaction about “what it means” to them and/or in the industry these days, he made it clear that on a personal level, it’s still a huge moment.
Put simply, he said: “Without the fans, we’d all be nothing.”
He also went on to praise the sort of no-nonsense, DIY and unapologetic approach of the Manc music scene, quipping: “You know, what would Simon Cowell have said about Ian Curtis, Bez, Shaun [Ryder] – Ian Brown, for god’s sake?!”
Acknowledging that while no one was necessarily an “accomplished singer” (often the case when you start early and just pursue a passion), his caveat was that “they had heart and soul” and “they embody something deep within us all that has lasted and will continue to last.”
Noting a de facto ‘Renaissance’ that a few names have enjoyed – especially following the passing of certain notable figures – he believes, rather, that they never went anywhere and that Northern crowds and beyond have helped those songs stretch to three, four, even five different generations.”
He’s not wrong: they’ve never stopped connecting with audiences, and they NEVER will.
Once more, it was an absolute joy (again, pardon the pun) to chat with Peter and Parky, who clearly haven’t lost their love for each other, nor this business – even after all these decades.
Congratulations to both bands, Hooky, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Tom Chapman, Phil Cunningham, as well as every session musician who’s ever played these tunes and kept them alive.
Last but not least: forever and always, rest in peace, Ian Curtis.
Inside Soho House Manchester as rooftop pool finally opens
Daisy Jackson
Soho House Manchester finally opened its doors to members late last year – but there’s still more to come.
The exclusive members’ club, which costs from £2,400 per year to access, faced several years’ worth of unavoidable delays as it transformed the old Granada Studios.
And even now that members can finally visit the space for networking, dinner and drinks, events, and working, Soho House isn’t actually finished.
Instead, the hotly-anticipated venue is opening in phases – the latest of which is that beautiful rooftop pool, with views overlooking the city from the top of the former television studio.
New images taken inside Soho House Manchester show several of the completed spaces, from lounges with beautiful natural light flooding through skylights, to stylish candlelit dining rooms, to gorgeous bedrooms.
In keeping with the building’s history, the Soho House design team have stuck with a premium mid-century interior, including terrazzo flooring and warm wood details, muted green and orange colour palettes, and chrome furniture.
Have a look inside Soho House Manchester:
Soho House Manchester is now open. Credit: SuppliedBeautiful interiors. Credit: SuppliedA bar space. Credit: Edvina BruzasRestaurant spaces. Credit: Edvina BruzasDetails of Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasMid-century details at Soho House Manchester. Credit: Edvina BruzasInside Soho House in Manchester. Credit: Edvinas BruzasNew spaces are still opening. Credit: Edvinas BruzasThere are 22 bedrooms inside. Credit: Harry Crowder
There are now 22 beautiful bedrooms up on the sixth floor, exclusively available to Soho House Members, which carry on the 1950s heritage design.
As the build continues, members will soon have access to a Soho Health Club with a gym, reformer Pilates studio, smoothie bar, and infrared sauna and steam room.
Every Soho House has a strict no-photos policy to protect to privacy of members – which means unless you fancy forking out £333.33 a month, you might never see inside it beyond the club’s official photography.
The Manc -
30th July 2020 
