Manc brewery and pub chain, Joseph Holt, are offering punters the chance to have a nearby boozer named after themselves, and if you’re pretending that wouldn’t be mint then you’re lying.
The idea of having a pub named after you is usually reserved for legendary local heroes and important figures throughout history, but this is your one chance to rub shoulders with people worthy of having a watering hole christened with their title.
This special promotion has been created to help mark Joseph Holt‘s 175th-anniversary celebrations, with the business going from strength to strength over six different generations.
Today, the chain now reaches across Greater Manchester and beyond, with a total of 127 locations in the North West.
Two Joseph Holt pubs in Manchester city centre (Credit: The Manc Group/Joseph Holt)
So, what’s the catch? Well, the renaming won’t last forever; the winner of this unique little competition will have a pub share their namesake for two whole weeks if they complete a simple but admittedly extensive challenge.
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As part of a series of commemorative events, the brewery has released 16 individual beer mats, with each one offering a nugget of information about the history of Joseph Holt and the timeline of its 175-year journey as well as featuring a QR code.
The full range of beer mats will be available at all of Joseph Holt’s 127 pubs across the North West, but only those who collect all 16 of them will be entered into a draw where the winner will then have a pub of their choice named after them for two weeks.
After the success of their £1.75 pint offer as part of the anniversary, we can already see this going down a storm too.
The competition to collect all 16 beer mats runs until Thursday, 31 October and once you’ve collected them all, you need to take a picture of the full set and email it to [email protected] to prove you’ve completed the full sweep.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Joseph Holt (via Instagram)
Food & Drink
Celebrity chef James Martin closes Manchester restaurant after more than a decade
Daisy Jackson
James Martin Manchester has closed its doors, bringing an end to the chef’s decade-long restaurant partnership with casino Manchester235.
Metropolitan Gaming announced on 1 October that its partnership with James Martin and his team had concluded, with the restaurant operation at the city centre venue ending on the same day.
The partnership dates back to 2012, meaning James Martin Manchester had been part of the Manchester235 experience for more than 14 years.
During that time, the restaurant became an established part of the venue’s food and drink offering, with Metropolitan Gaming describing the collaboration as ‘successful and valued’.
The company also credited James Martin and his team with contributing to Manchester’s wider food and dining scene, as well as providing high-quality dining for Manchester235 guests.
Maxine Gibbons, Venue Director at Manchester235, thanked the chef and his team for their contribution to the venue.
She said: “Our partnership with James Martin and his team has been an important part of Manchester235’s story since 2012.
“We would like to thank James and everyone who has been part of the James Martin Manchester team over the years for their commitment, hard work and the memorable experiences they have created for our guests.”
Gibbons added that the team had made a ‘significant contribution’ to Manchester235’s food and beverage experience and wished James Martin and his colleagues ‘every success for the future’.
The closure will not result in affected employees losing their jobs, with Metropolitan Gaming confirming that any employees impacted by the restaurant’s closure have been retained within the business.
Customers with existing restaurant reservations will also be contacted directly by Manchester235 regarding cancellations.
Tesco officially unveils Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026 and confirms launch date
Emily Sergeant
Tesco has officially unveiled its Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026, and has revealed when it’ll be arriving in stores.
Spooky season may not have even arrived yet, but it won’t be long before the most wonderful time of the year is here and most of the UK’s major supermarkets have already started stocking their shelves with Christmas food, drink, and gifts galore.
Tesco has now unveiled all the sandwiches and snacks forming part of its iconic lunchtime meal deal selection.
10 new seasonal mains and sides have been launched this year, as well as some classics and returning fan favourites too.
The retailer says its food on-the-go experts have worked hard to bring a variety of festive flavours and great-quality ingredients together this year, with something on offer to cater to all tastes and preferences.
Tesco officially unveils Christmas Meal Deal menu for 2026 / Credit: Tesco
Available in stores and online from next week, with Tesco Clubcard members paying just £3.80 or £5.50 to upgrade to a Premium Meal Deal, some of the all-new main options you can choose from in 2026’s festive lineup include the Fully Loaded Chicken, Stuffing, Braised Red Cabbage & Cranberry Sauce Sandwich, the Christmas Triple Sandwich, and the Pork Meatball Wrap with smoky sage and onion mayonnaise.
Other returning favourites include the Brie and Cranberry Sandwich, the Currywurst Sausage Sub, and the absolute classic Turkey & Trimmings Sandwich.
For veggies and vegans, there’s a new Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap, and for those who follow a gluten free diet, you can grab the Gluten Free Festive Chicken & Trimmings sandwich.
When it comes to snacks to accompany those mains, the festive Mini Pork Pies and Pig in Blanket Sausage Rolls are returning to the lineup this year, alongside some new additions like the Pretzels with Salted Caramel Soft Cheese Dip, and Mini Cheese Twists.
Danny Jones -
9th July 2024 
