Wander through Spinningfields along the banks of the River Irwell and you can’t fail to spot the derelict Mark Addy pub.
Abandoned for years, today the sunken eighties riverside wine bar is a shell of its former self – but it wasn’t always this way.
This boozer was once a popular pit stop for punters after a few drinks and a bit of ‘British tapas’, and owes its name to a famous Salfordian swimmer who saved more than 50 people from drowning on the spot where it still stands today.
For his valiant rescue efforts, Mark Addy – whose dad was a boatman – made history as the only civilian to be awarded an Albert Medal (Victoria Cross) from Queen Victoria.
Unfortunately, though, it appears taking his name wasn’t enough to save the pub from the same fate.
Underwater on and off for years, owners here have come and gone – with the last known, Elle R Leisure, seeming to surrender the pub back to the river after hinting in 2017 that it could return ‘one day’ after a full refurbishment.
Six years on and it looks more derelict than ever. Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed there will never be any more development on the site, it feels unlikely.
From the outside at least, it appears the Mark Addy never quite recovered from a serious episode of flooding in 2015 that left an estimated £200,000 worth of damage. Or another that left it entirely submerged in 2021.
Wrecked by a swollen river that burst its banks and seeped into the bar under its doors, in less than 12 hours the water level had risen from ankle height to entirely submerge the bar.
Image: @MancSwanky
Image: Sean Hansford
Whilst the glistening New Bailey district has sprung up around it, the bar, its terrace, and everything inside has slowly surrendered itself back to the control of mother nature.
Its attractive domed glass entrance and huge bay windows, once a key attraction, were possibly part of its downfall as the river washed in through every available nook and cranny.
The water came quickly and reached everywhere – submerging the main bar, the cellar, the office, and a newly-fitted kitchen. The worst part, though, is then-owner Allen Caldwell wasn’t even insured for the damage.
Having taken over the pub a year prior with a few friends and paid for a full refurbishment, he had sunk some serious money into the business.
Still, its history of flooding meant he couldn’t get cover and ultimately the wreckage was so great that he surrendered the lease to Elle R Leisure Directors James and Sarah Ramsbottom.
Given that James’ father Jim had originally opened the pub back in 1980, at the time the transition seemed like a cyclical one.
Jim, after all, was credited with turning the former boat passengers’ waiting room into a successful wine bar with a lauded cheese and pate counter reportedly the talk of the city. So who better to bring it back to life than his son?
However, six years on from the announcement nothing more has happened with the site. And now we’re not sure it ever will.
In its glory days, the pub was famed for its jukebox, its bistro-style terrace overlooking the river, cracking pints of Boddingtons and – for a short stint – the fine cooking of renowned Manchester chef Robert Owen Brown.
An early champion of nose-to-tail dining, a revised menu under Brown’s stewardship celebrated heaps of game, off-cuts and offal, all in the style of traditional British pub grub. We’re talking stuffed pigs trotters, madiera tripe on toast and pigeon crowns.
However, despite receiving rave reviews from critics, Brown’s iteration of the Mark Addy was also short-lived.
Like the abandoned pub that takes his name, Mark Addy also ultimately fell victim to the power of the river.
Despite living and working by it for most of his life, and saving numerous people from disappearing into it, it was his heroics that finished him off.
Over the years, he had become famous for his gallant rescues – receiving a letter from the Prime Minister, an award from the Queen and the equivalent of £30,000 in todays money as a thank you from the people of Salford – but ultimately died age 52 after saving over 50 people from the river.
It was whilst watching the Manchester Whit Walks that a cry rose up that a young boy had fallen in. Diving in after him, Mark did rescue the lad but fell ill afterwards because of the toxicity of the river. Things had changed somewhat since his youth.
A born Mancunian and an adopted son of Salford, after his death a lifesize oil painting of Addy was commissioned and can still be seen hanging in Salford Art Gallery today.
It would be fantastic to see the pub that takes his name brought back to life once more but, for now, at least, both cities are still waiting.
Featured image – Eamonn & James Clarke
Food & Drink
A long-standing Italian restaurant in Trafford has sadly announced its imminent closure
Danny Jones
Another day, another bit of unfortunate hospitality news, as long-standing Greater Manchester restaurant, Little Italy in Timperley, has announced it is closing permanently very soon.
The Trafford favourite, which has been serving locals for nearly 20 years, has informed regular diners that it will sadly be closing its doors for good, with Little Italy’s final service set for later this month.
Having earned plenty of praise in its time, including being one of the few spots in and around the Altrincham area to have won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015, before the borough saw its foodie boom begin.
But fast forward a decade, and the Timperley institution is yet another culinary casualty to be confirmed of late, with Little Italy sharing a tear-jerking statement online.
Sharing the tragic news on social media this Friday (5 Sep), the restaurant wrote: “To all our lovely customers, it is with a heavy heart that we share some news with you all. After over 18 years of serving you all in Timperley, we will be closing our doors later this month.
“This has not been an easy decision. Unfortunately, rising costs and a significant increase in rental [costs] have made it impossible to continue in a sustainable way. As much as we love what we do, the reality is that it has become too difficult to maintain under these circumstances.
“Over the coming weeks, we will continue to cook with love and serve with the same passion as always. We would love to see you all and share one more meal, and raise a glass together.”
Safe to say that the post has been met with an outpouring of condolences and support from natives nearby and those who have travelled to enjoy their food.
Little Italy went on to add that they will detail more about their final week of business as soon as possible.
They can’t be accused of not keeping up with times and not trying to promote via social media either, as they small family-run team – headed up by Sam Cauchi, who bought the site back in 2008 – have always given things a go besides the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.
Being one of many saddened customers to respond underneath the announcement, we couldn’t possibly sum up things better than local Vanessa Nice, who said: “Look at all these amazing comments – you certainly made your mark as a home from home for the residents of Timperley.
“The end of an era will always be sad, but sometimes life and families have to move on.”
As for Cauchi and co., they signed off by simply adding: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, kindness and friendship over the years. Timperley has been our home, and you have all been our family.
“Love from all the team at Little Italy.”
It goes without saying that we’re gutted for the gang and our thoughts are with everyone involved at this difficult time. For now, we can only say thank you to the countless Greater Manchester locations that continue to fall foul in the face of the rising pressures industry-wide. Case and point…
Award-winning chippy in Prestwich announces heartbreaking restaurant closure
Daisy Jackson
Chips @ No. 8, a chippy in Prestwich that’s lauded as one of the best in the UK, has announced the sad closure of its restaurant.
The award-winning takeaway made some big moves last year, expanding into the unit next door so that they could comfortable double their space downstairs and add a restaurant upstairs.
The restaurant was a brand-new concept for the much-loved Prestwich chippy, serving a seafood-focused menu that wasn’t necessarily all about the fryer.
But sadly, Chips @ No. 8 has announced that the restaurant element of its business, Loft @ No. 8, has closed for good.
They wrote that the economic climate and the huge amount of choice in Prestwich has left them struggling to fill seats in the chippy restaurant.
The good news is that the fish and chip shop itself remains open for business and thriving, and customers will be able to use the former restaurant space to eat their takeaway in.
The bar downstairs also remains open for business for a cheeky pint or glass of wine while you wait for your order.
The Loft @ No. 8 is closing. Credit: The Manc GroupCurry sauce on a Chips @ No 8 chippy tea. Credit: The Manc Group
In a statement, Chips @ No. 8 said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Loft.
“With so many great places to eat in Prestwich, and the economic climate being what it is, we have struggled recently to fill enough seats to continue to make it a financially viable side to our business.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support whilst we were open, the team for their efforts, in particular, Craig, the creator of the delicious food that we had on offer up there.
“Chips @ No.8 remains open as normal and going forward, we are opening up the space upstairs for additional casual seating for the takeaway.
“The bar will remain open so you can still enjoy a pint or a glass of wine with your fish & chips, even if it is out of a box! We hope to see you soon!”