One of Manchester’s most celebrated pubs has told customers who complained about their Covid safety measures to ‘leave our staff alone’.
The Marble Arch said that some ‘strange people’ have been complaining to staff about the pub’s face mask policies.
The Rochdale Road boozer recently reintroduced the mandatory wearing of face coverings when moving around the venue, as well as table service, in a bid to create a ‘safe environment’.
But Paul Plowman, a director at Marble Brewery, said that some people have taken issue with the rules.
The Marble Arch / Credit: Instagram @themarblearchmcr
Some customers even threatened to boycott the Marble Arch.
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He invited those who aren’t happy about the new safety measures to take their business elsewhere, saying they ‘really don’t care’ and will ‘bat on without you’.
His words, making it ‘abundantly clear’ that unpleasantness towards staff won’t be tolerated, have been praised by thousands on social media.
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One person even asked if Paul fancies running the country.
Paul wrote: “Yesterday our flagship pub the Marble Arch made the decision to make masks mandatory whilst not seated and make the use of table service.
“The bottom line reason for this is this: Our priority is keeping our staff and customers safe whilst simultaneously trying to keep our business going, and with no government support, keep our staff paid.
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“Seems reasonable to me.
A thread. Pls retweet. I’m one of the directors of @marblebrewers. Yesterday our flagship pub the Marble Arch made the decision to make masks mandatory whilst not seated and make the use of table service. The bottom line reason for this is this: Our priority is keeping our staff
“However since this we’ve had a number of strange responses on social media (to be expected) but more importantly our management and staff have had to put with strange people in real life complaining about these measures.
“I would like to make this abundantly clear to anyone who feels they want to reply to this or speak to our staff with anything along the lines of ‘right well that’s my custom you’ve lost’, we really don’t care.
“Honestly, we will bat on without you.
“Throw as many insults as you like, leave the pub in disgust if you want, as long as you leave our staff alone, we really don’t care.
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The Marble Arch / Credit: Flickr
“Finally I’d like to take a moment to thank all our customers who don’t really see the fuss with the measures, and have supported our business at a time when we need it the most.
“Cheers, have a great Christmas!”
People have praised Paul for sticking up for his staff, with one person writing: “Good to see some real leadership, taking the necessary steps to protect people, both staff and customers. You don’t fancy running the country do you?”
Another said: “Big vibes for the directors coming out to support the staff right now. We love to see it.”
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One of Marble’s employees wrote: “This week has been horrid. Whatever side of the bar you’re on, you know just how hard Xmas run up is even at the best of times, and I can’t find words to express the frustration at the moment.
“But I’ll tell you summat for nothing, though. I’m bloody proud to work for this team.”
Featured Image – The Marble Arch MCR
Food & Drink
Kobbie Mainoo shouts out more of his favourite food spots in Manchester
Danny Jones
Man United star Kobbie Mainoo is back putting people onto his favourite places to eat in Manchester, and judging by his picks, he doesn’t just know football – he knows his food spots too.
The Stockport-born footballer turned 20 years old this month, and as well as celebrating leaving his teens with that impressive goal in the comeback against Lyon, the Manchester United midfielder was met with a birthday cake by his club, along with a fun little game of 20 questions.
Sharing the short but insightful Q&A, in which the number 37 dove into his favourite parts of matchdays, the best birthday gift he’s ever received, as well as the tried and tested dream dinner guest lineup.
Naming a very sporty trio of Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan and Jon Jones, the only logical next step was to ask him where his favourite places to eat around Manchester were, to which he answered…
That’s right, spotlighting a personal favourite of ours, the first Manc venue on his list was Pho Cue, the authentic family-run Vietnamese spot known for great value, top-quality street food such as their big hitter bánh mìs, as well as big queues every lunchtime.
If you don’t know already, then get to know.
As you can see, the second place he mentioned with the booked-up-till-kingdom come Onda Pasta Bar, which went viral for its ‘Tiramisu drawer’ last year and opened their first proper restaurant back in June.
Since then, it’s fair to say it’s more popular than ever and you’re lucky to get a table; if you, however, you’ll be treated to some of the most luxurious and indulgent pasta not just in Manchester but probably anywhere in the country, if you ask us.
These latest shout-outs come after Mainoo famously put Salford’s culinary kings, Burgerism, on the nationwide map after name-dropping them in his British GQ interview in November 2024.
You can watch the full thing HERE, but you already know the biggest takeaway from that chat, quite literally: the boy knows his burgers.
Kobbie is actually just one of several famous faces to have proclaimed Burgerism as the best in the business, at least in Greater Manchester of late.
Not only have British influencers Ollie Ball and Jacob Pasquill now become seemingly regular presenters on their social media, but online content creator turned boxer and WWE star Logan Paul also visited the beloved burger joint and reviewed it during a recent visit to the UK.
We’ll confess we’re more likely to take the local lad’s word on board over the bloke who used to make Vines, but it’s just yet more proof that the Manc food scene is top tier.
Come on, just look at the state of these selections:
Not a bad little spread there, Kobb… (Credit: The Manc Eats)
We’re not sure how much of this stuff Mainoo is allowed on the diet sheet, but we can at least confirm that Kobbie knows his Manchester food, and as far as favourites go, we might just stand a chance of becoming best friends yet.
Happy birthday to a young man with a very bright future and hopefully a very active metabolism.
Featured Images — Manchester United/The Manc Group
Food & Drink
Inside Voyeur, a mysterious new post-punk 80s-inspired cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
A brand new cocktail bar is set to open in Manchester this week, with dark and mysterious interiors, 80s inspiration, and a raunchy theme.
Voyeur is opening in the heart of the Northern Quarter, and here it’s all about modern drinks in a post-punk 80s setting.
The walls are decorated with beautiful voyeurism photography from the 80s, including artists like David Hockney, Nick Taggart, and Malerie Marder.
Even the menus celebrate the artistic side of voyeurism, with drinks presented within a book of photography.
Those drinks include creative twists on drinks dating back more than a century, from the Kaleidescope of Lies (a two-in one cocktail inspired by a pina colada, with a strawberry daiquiri foam top) to The Voyeur (made with coriander-infused tequila for a savoury punch).
There’ll be monthly themed specials, kicking off with The Breakfast Club, where seasonal drinks take inspiration from Lucky Charms cereal, chai latte and an acai bowl.
Cocktails inspired by The Breakfast Club at VoyeurCocktails at Voyeur in the Northern QuarterInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barVoyeur on Oldham StreetThe cocktail menu is presented as a photography book
The dark space is lit by marble table lamps and a glittering green disco ball (and not much else), perfect for an evening spent sipping cocktails into the early hours.
Between Thursdays and Sundays, Voyeur will have DJs spinning vinyls.
Voyeur is opening this week on Oldham Street and will be open from 5pm to 2am between Tuesday and Sunday.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd December 2021 
