A family-run pub in Levenshulme that’s been serving its community for 32 years is closing its doors for good tomorrow.
Fiddlers Green on Stockport Road, Levenshulme revealed it will permanently shut its doors after one last service on Tuesday 18 April, leaving regulars heartbroken and owners ‘overwhelmed’ by their response.
The very independently owned Irish boozer, formerly known as Dicey Reilly’s, has been sold and its owners are now preparing for retirement.
Sharing the news in an emotional Facebook post at the start of the year, landlords Bridie and James wrote: “We’re emotional, we’re happy, and sad, and probably confused, but we’re pleased that we finally made the big decision.”
They continued: “We’re overwhelmed with the response we’re getting from Levenshulme and the wider community.
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“Levenshulme has been our home for so long it’s going to be hard to breakaway. St.Mary’s Parish has always been our parish and will remain so.”
Owners then went on to thank their ‘amazing’ staff and regulars, saying they had been ‘our life for so long’ but they had now ‘made the right decision for us.’
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Image: Fiddlers Green
Image: Fiddlers Green
Adding that they were ‘always very lucky to have the best staff’ and that they were ‘very proud’ of their ‘staying with us to until the end’, the post then went on to thank their family, saying: “We’ve put Fiddlers before you for so long and you always understood. Xx Thank you xx”
The post then finished with owners thanking locals for their support since the news broke, describing it as ‘unbelieveable.’
The popular boozer recently hosted its last St Patrick’s Day and saw so many well-wishers coming down that it had a queue out the street from 1pm in the afternoon until close.
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As a result, quite a few didn’t manage to get in leading landlord Bridie to take to Facebook again on 18 March to remind punters that the pub’s final day of service is 18 April, writing “I hope people who would like to visit us will find the opportunity before then.”
She finished by saying: “It has always been priority for myself and James to keep the staff and customers safe and comfortable hopefully we achieved that yesterday. Once again thank you all and finally we will be very very sad to leave our home of 32 years but it’s the right time for us. ”
The original post has since been liked over 500 times, with loyal regulars and other pubgoers pouring into the comments to share their stories of the Fiddlers Green at the end of an era.
One person wrote: “So sorry to hear the news about you going Bridie. I use to be a regular a while ago with my dear late mate Bill, you will both be missed very much in Levenshulme. Wishing you and James all the very best in your forthcoming retirement.”
Another person said: “I have many good memories from my time spent in the Fids! The most Vivid memory is one from 1992. I was part of a group of recent school leavers. We were sat upstairs in the Fids looking inconspicuous…. when myself and several other 16 year olds were asked for ID. We all proudly presented our 16-19 bus passes, which clarified all our ages to be 18. (Job done!)….. Sadly you identified that all our IDs displayed the same name and date of birth….busted…I think the fact that we had also smuggled in cans of lager with us didn’t assist our situation…..out we went! Best of luck x”
Image: Fiddlers Green
Image: Fiddlers Green
A third said: “Well the end of an era, we have been going into this fantastic pub since we moved into the area and always found it to be friendly happy with great customers and fantastic staff. So many memories hard to remember them all quiz nights and discos with Andy Murphy, Live Music the Gaelic Games on a Sunday along with all the other sports.
“I remember also the great racing days especially Cheltenham Gold Cup days when all my friends came from far and wide to enjoy the fantastic hospitality.Yes we will be sorry Bridie and James are leaving but need to say their retirement is thoroughly deserved.We are going to make the best of these next 3 months and savour all the wonderful memories and what better way to end with a Final Cheltenham Gold Cup day in the fiddlers.”
A fourth added: “Well the end of an era, we have been going into this fantastic pub since we moved into the area and always found it to be friendly happy with great customers and fantastic staff. So many memories hard to remember them all quiz nights and discos with Andy Murphy, Live Music the Gaelic Games on a Sunday along with all the other sports.
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“I remember also the great racing days especially Cheltenham Gold Cup days when all my friends came from far and wide to enjoy the fantastic hospitality.Yes we will be sorry Bridie and James are leaving but need to say their retirement is thoroughly deserved.
“We are going to make the best of these next 3 months and savour all the wonderful memories and what better way to end with a Final Cheltenham Gold Cup day in the fiddlers.
Featured image – Fiddlers Green
Food & Drink
Locals left stunned and excited by ‘unrecognisable’ plans for returning Stockport pub
Danny Jones
Stockport locals have been left “stunned” and “buzzing” after seeing the plans for the soon-to-be reborn Golden Hind pub in Offerton.
We’ve seen plenty of refurbs over the past couple of years, but this one really does look unrecognisable – both their words and ours.
The Golden Hind, a former Hungry Horse and then Greene King pub, sadly closed in November of 2023 after more than half a century of serving Stopordian punters under the previous operators, with nearby residents rallying together to save the “community hub“.
While the initial efforts weren’t enough to prevent the no-nonsense boozer from closing, another Manc brewery is set to bring it back, having now revealed their vision for a major overhaul. The video below cycles through an overview of the plans:
Safe to say it’ll be quite the transformation should everything go ahead as expected.
Some residents have already noted similarities to the Puss in Boots on Nangreave Road in Heaviley, one of multiple Almond Family Pubs locations in the borough, but they’re hoping that restoring a food menu in line with their ‘traditional’ vision will help it rival the native group’s offerings.
Although ‘The Hind’ already had a popular SK beer garden, most notably, the updated ideas for the venue included a brand-new outdoor terrace, with planters, hanging baskets and other green elements, along with a brand-new glass porch and extra covered areas around the building.
The public house last saw renovations back in 2017, but these were mainly cosmetic (new chairs and tables, as well as a fresh lick of paint, etc.); this time, it’s getting a full relandscaping and more.
You can take another look at the proposed blueprints in full detail right HERE.
Further reinforcing what a loss it was to the area, plenty have not only expressed their excitement about the Golden Hind, but already asked whether dining will return as mentioned, not to mention enquiring about jobs both in a potential kitchen, behind the bar, as part of prospective cleaning staff and more.
As always with hospitality closures, it isn’t just food and drink that people lose out on; it’s jobs, steady incomes, and for many, an important social outlet.
That’s why so many people signed the previous petition to keep the much-loved watering hole alive, and while it may be under new ownership, they’ll be just glad to see it being revived.
Speaking on the project, Joseph Holt’s CEO Richard Kershaw said: “Joseph Holt is a brewery committed to putting pubs back into the heart of local communities.
It is at the core of our ethos, since we know they play such an important role not just as places to enjoy a drink, but as welcoming spaces to meet others, take part in social groups, and enjoy live events. All of which will be happening once again once we complete our redevelopment of the Golden Hind.
“That’s why we are investing over £1 million in a comprehensive and carefully considered redevelopment, creating a pub in the truest traditional sense — complete with open fireplaces, generous outdoor spaces, and comfortable, characterful furnishings.”
Featured Images — Joseph Holt/Stockport Council (supplied)
Food & Drink
The beautiful new (now parrot-less) Mediterranean restaurant on the banks of the River Irwell
Daisy Jackson
It might have first made headlines because of Rio the parrot, but now Gardens’ controversial feathered resident has been rehomed, the spotlight is firmly back where it belongs – on the food.
Gardens is a striking new waterside restaurant and lounge overlooking the River Irwell, with enormous windows taking in views of the water and Manchester Cathedral.
Greater Manchester has historically not been very good about making the most of its waterways, with areas like Ancoats Marina and Salford Quays now leading a new charge, so it’s refreshing to see somewhere making the most of the Irwell – even if there’s still more chance of seeing a plastic bag floating past than anything more scenic.
With its towering ceilings and stylish interiors, Gardens has quickly become one of Salford’s most eye-catching new openings, promising hearty Mediterranean grills, shisha, and great mocktails.
And now there’s another reason to visit, as the venue has launched a brand new Lebanese-inspired brunch menu.
Expect authentic dishes including fluffy omelettes, hearty foul (slow-cooked fava beans), prawn fatteh (layers of crisp pitta, tahini yoghurt, chickpeas, and prawns), shakshuka, and fresh halloumi tomato salad, alongside plenty of other Mediterranean favourites.
The brand-new brunch menu joins the substantial menu of grilled mains, with dishes like mixed grills, slow-cooked lamb shank that falls off the bone, and roast chicken.
A spread of brunch dishes at GardensFruit platter, cakes and coffees at GardensFeta, tomato and spinach omelette; chickpeas in tahini yoghurtPrawn fatteh and shakshukahGardens seen across the River IrwellThe beautiful waterside locationMixed grill dishes at GardensSteak in a homemade herb sauce
And you’ll find plenty of other dishes like fattoush salad, hummus, and flatbreads.
Gardens is split into two areas, with the archway overlooking Greengate Square home to the cafe for brunches and matchas, while the main riverside lounge comes alive for socialising, shisha, and mocktails.
While Gardens may have become known for reasons beyond the menu when it first opened, its riverside location, stylish interiors and generous Mediterranean offering make it one of the most impressive new additions to Salford’s dining scene.
If you’re after somewhere new for a weekend brunch or an evening meal by the water, this could be worth adding to your list.
Georgina Pellant -
17th April 2023 
