The former Albert’s Chop House site is becoming a gastropub, following the quiet closure of the popular traditional English restaurant in the summer.
The iconic Memorial Hall will reopen as gastropub The Fountain House this November, serving up classic English pub favourites like fish and chips, steak, and pies in a premium setting.
Named as a nod to the stunning Victorian fountain opposition, designed by the buildings’ architect Thomas Worthington, it will open on 11, November.
Split over three floors of the stunning Grade II building, it has undergone a complete refurbishment since being taken over from former tenants Alberts Chop House.
Promising a “chic yet charming pub atmosphere”, The Fountain House is the first northern site for The Metropolitan Pub Company, which largely operates in London and across the south ofEngland.
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Image: supplied
The acquisition of the former Albert Square Chop House in the heart of Manchester represents a bold step for the brand as they expand and bring their premium offering to like-minded guests across the country.
Hoping to create a “must-visit” experience for Manchester’s hospitality scene, The Fountain House will combine classic British pub culture and cuisine with a quality wine and cask ale offering.
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To ensure the new site retains its heritage and Mancunian spirit, The Metropolitan Pub Company has appointed an experienced Manchester-based hospitality manager, Lawrence Hallows, to oversee the transition.
Hallows previously worked with the Chop House company in multiple roles – including as a weddings and events manager – and knows the building better than anyone.
A former team member at Albert’s Chop House, Lawrence has worked at the site since 2014 at every level of the business.
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Having recently seen the venue pass through the challenge of COVID 19, Lawrence believes now is the perfect time for the Metropolitan Pub Company to help reignite the iconic sites offering.
Speaking on the new opening Lawrence Hallows, Sales Manager at Metro Pub Co. said: “It’s no secret that lockdown has fundamentally changed eating and drinking habits for customers. Now restrictions have eased, people tend to go out less often, but spend more when they do go out, to make the most of the experience.
“The location of The Fountain House, right in the centre of Manchester’s business district and focal point of the Town Hall, tells you everything you need to know about its potential.
“Local city workers, tourists and premium weekend drinkers are all looking for a high quality space with an equally outstanding food and drink offering, and that’s what The Fountain House will provide.”
Michael Horan, managing director of Metropolitan Pub Company, said: “We are really excited to bring our first pub to Manchester. The Memorial Hall site is perfect, as it will allow us to team our premium gastropub experience to customers in the heart of the city.”
Feature image – supplied
Manchester
We’ve found some of the best Chinese food in town – being served out of a snooker hall
Danny Jones
Yes, you heard us right: we’ve stumbled across one of our favourite new places for Chinese food just on the outskirts of Manchester city centre – it just so happens to be served out of a best-in-class snooker hall.
And that really is just the tip of the iceberg here.
Some of you may have heard about and/or seen it already, but we’ll admit we were a little late to the party when it comes to Club 200, a.k.a. the pool, snooker, darts, mahjong club and more, which has so many different things rolled into that it’s really more a Russian doll than a Chinese restaurant or sports venue.
The hook speaks for itself: a place where people spend just as much time practising with chopsticks as they do their cues, as it really isn’t a gimmick, as some pessimistic folk would have you think – the food is banging and so are the vibes in general.
Not only is this quite literally the best snooker club in Manchester – complete with everything from classic American billiards and Chinese 8-ball to king-size snooker tables that the Ronnie O’Sullivan has played and won on, to a special AI system you won’t find anywhere else – it is SO much more than that.
Whilst the backroom was packed with everyone from casuals to those looking to get their pro certification via the official Q Tour, and lads in the front were practising their arrows, as co-owner Simon admitted they get almost just as many darts regulars these days, a storm was cooking up in the kitchen.
It would be unfair to say this place doubles as a bar and restaurant, because we really couldn’t get over how well put together this menu was.
‘Café 200’s food offerings involve classics like fried rice and chow mein dishes, to the kind of sides you could expect from your local Chinese chippy, but it’s even more authentic exports that really impress.
For instance, the beef ho fun seemed to be a big hit with everyone; we loved the salty seafood udon as well (a great chew on those noodles), and we know plenty of people still searching for proper Hong Kong-style French toast – they might just find it here.
Speaking of the special administrative region, which has a twisting and turning but nevertheless rich culinary culture all of its own, that last dish had us hopping with joy.
You’re looking at baked Portuguese rice: a Macau speciality rooted in the region’s colonial history.
We’ve never quite had anything like it before, even in all of our years eating this kind of cuisine around the 10 boroughs, but we haven’t stopped thinking about it since.
And then there’s everything else they do, from karaoke and bingo nights to catering for birthdays and other functions, or even just serving as a cool, somewhat tucked-away spot to watch the footy and other live sport come the weekend.
You can tell this place has built up a real community over the last 18 months or so, and while the food speaks for itself, it’s the sheer abundance and variety going on that makes it especially charming to so many.
Speaking of jack-of-all-trade venues, we stumbled across a similar multi-talented one over in Salford not so long ago, too…
Manchester City announced signing of top Premier League defender Marc Guehi
Danny Jones
It looks like they’ve finally got a done deal: Manchester City have finally announced the transfer of highly sought-after defender Marc Guehi.
Man City reached an agreement with Crystal Palace to sign the increasingly established Three Lions star after emerging as a suitor in recent weeks.
Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of the impressive Premier League centre-back ramped up earlier this month, as it became apparent that they were hoping to hijack Liverpool’s prospective move for Guehi.
The Ivory Coast-born England international looked all set to arrive at Anfield back in the summer, but the deal never materialised, and now rivals City have sealed his signature instead.
Finally confirmed and fully announced on Monday, 19 January, Palace and Man City are said to have reached an agreement in principle for a base fee of approximately £20 million.
However, rumoured add-ons are thought take that total closer to £30m; either way, it’s fair to say that it’s an absolute bargain for a player of his quality.
On the other hand, the acquisition will also see Man City’s total spending reach roughly half a billion pounds over the past year alone. Staggering sums for any sporting outfit.
Not that his former London team will mind one bit, of course, as it became increasingly clear that Guehi would be leaving eventually; manager Oliver Glasner – who also seems set to depart at the end of his contract – even addressed the sale ahead of completion in a recent press conference.
Guehi will wear the number 15 shirt for Man City and has penned a deal until 2031.
With Man City currently facing multiple absences, particularly in their backline with both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias out injured, Guehi’s arrival is no doubt a welcome one.
Although many debated whether or not Pep needed to sign another centre-half, especially with two promising youth players returning from loan, supporters will nevertheless be glad to have snatched him from the clutches of Liverpool.
Over in the women’s team, they’ve also brought in a new member of the squad who could help spur on their title charge.
Can you see any more deals being down befor the end of the window?
Georgina Pellant -
29th October 2021 
