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
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.
Georgina Pellant -
17th April 2023 
