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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.
Manchester’s viral sandwich shop Ad Maiora is selling HUGE butties for only 9p through Deliveroo
Daisy Jackson
Ad Maiora, the Italian sandwich shop that’s loved by Manchester City stars (and everyone else who’s sunk their teeth into one), is selling butties for only 9p this week.
The local business is famed for its authentic sandwiches filled with quality imported Italian ingredients, and for its super-sized versions of its delicious lunches.
And this week only, you’ll be able to pick up a hefty sandwich, called the Scran-wich, for only 9 English pence.
The limited-edition Schiacciata will have nine different components and weighs in at a whopping 500g (though it’s nothing on their 1kg beast we’ve tried before…)
Owners and couple Enrico and Daniela have spent weeks developing the perfect balance of flavours.
Each ingredient is sourced in Italy but inspired by places and sayings from Manchester.
So you’ll find spicy ‘supersonic’ salami, nowt better N’duja, mozzarella ‘footballs’, sliced Haçienda heritage tomatoes, ‘r kid Italian wild rocket, 0161 olives, lashings of mad fer it mayonnaise, ‘buzzing bee’ basil leaves and ‘let’s ave it’ red onions – all sandwiched between fresh homemade Scran-worthy Schiacciata bread.
The Scran-wich and its 9p sale have been created to celebrate Deliveroo’s ninth birthday, and there’ll be 300 available to order through Deliveroo.
The limited edition 9p ‘Scran-Wich’, available at Ad Maiora in Manchester through Deliveroo. Credit: Deliveroo/Dominic LipinskiAd Maiora is one of Manchester’s best sandwich shops and loved by celebs and locals
Enrico and Daniela, owners of Ad Maiora, said: “We’ve had so much support from the local community since we launched, so we were very excited when Deliveroo asked us to create a special Ad Maiora sandwich dedicated to the city of Manchester in celebration of their 9th birthday.
“We hope our customers love the limited-edition ‘Scran-wich’ – we’ve really enjoyed creating a sandwich that celebrates our city which makes this SUPER limited edition and special!”
Steffi Morel, Deliveroo city manager for Manchester, said: “It has been an absolute honour connecting Manc foodies to the best local restaurants at the click of a button for the last nine years.
“To celebrate, we’ve partnered with one of Manchester’s new local favourites, Ad Maiora, who’ve created the ultimate birthday ‘Scran-wich’, which pays homage to the city with every delicious bite! Deliveroo customers will need to be quick, as there are only 300 available!”
Ad Maiora’s Scran-wich is available for just 9p from Tuesday 30 April until Thursday 2 May through Deliveroo.