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
Full band lineup for Oasis reunion reportedly revealed
Danny Jones
Every time a new detail about the Oasis reunion shows drops we ever so slightly lose our mind and if reports on the full band lineup for the world tour are to be trusted, we have every right to do so.
We can’t say all of the gang are back together, but it sounds like a good few of them are.
The ‘Live ’25’ gigs are fast approaching and although we’ve already had the support acts confirmed, fans have been waiting to find out whether the other Oasis bandmates would be joining the Gallagher brothers in reuniting this summer.
Well, according to NME, we now know the other names who’ll be standing aside Liam and Noel to bring the Britpop icons back to life.
BREAKING OASIS BAND REVEAL:
Bonehead,Gem Archer, Joey Waronker, and Andy Bell will join LIAM AND NOEL GALLAGHER on stage for Oasis live '25 Tour pic.twitter.com/WFoMYZ6rlU
As has now been reshared at length online, sources close to the band reportedly told the outlet that at least one of the original Oasis lineup is thought to be joining them on tour, as well as two long-serving members who played with the legendary rock band between 1999 and their split a decade later.
The seemingly ‘confirmed’ lineup is as follows:
Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs – rhythm guitar
Perhaps the most anticipated member said to be returning to the stage is legendary guitarist, ‘Bonehead’. After playing with LG for a number of years as a solo artist and now having been given the all-clear following his cancer diagnosis, Archers is a lasting connection to the ’91 lineup.
Gem Archer – guitar and backing vocals
The other name carrying the riffs besides Arthurs and Noel will be Gem Archer: the man who replaced the returning 59-year-old who has similarly played with both Liam’s Beady Eye and the older Gallagher brother’s High Flying Birds for many years.
Andy Bell – bass
Next up is another member of the ’99-2009 lineup as Andy Bell is believed to be dusting off his bass guitar for the Live ’25 dates. Bell, now 54, replaced legendary Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan and is also a former member of Welsh indie rock band Ride – but now he’s set to get back on the road with Oasis.
Joey Waronker – drums
Last but not least is the only ‘new’ face and that is 55-year-old Joey Waronker, a well-known American drummer and producer who has worked with everyone from Beck, Thom Yorke, R.E.M, as well as former Stone Roses member John Squire on his joint album with Liam Gallagher released in March 2024.
As for how accurate this list is, we weren’t too sure until Liam quickly hopped on social media and essentially hinted that the leak may or may not be on the money.
Then again, you never know if the infamous frontman is on the wind-up or not…
Writing on X, he said, “It’s not the lineup reveal I’m bothered about I’ll reveal that to you in a minute I’m more bothered about the line where it says a source close to the band and tour that really causes me a great deal of concern LG x”.
It didn’t take long for him to sarcastically post his own ‘real’ lineup in response:
To be honest, whatever combination of former, most recent or first-time players we get, we’re just going to be happy to see the Burnage boys standing side by side in the flesh.
We’re still not sure we’ll believe it until we see them up there on the stage with our own eyes but, for now, it looks as though the Oasis reunion is on track with a strong lineup to make the comeback as memorable as possible.
It’s nice to the Gallagher kids now getting along with each other again too:
Featured Images — Anirudh Koul (via Flickr)/Simon Emmett
Manchester
Soccer Aid is back for 2025 and returning to Old Trafford
Danny Jones
One of the biggest, best and most wholesome charity events on the UK TV and sporting calendar is coming around once again for 2025 and we can’t wait to have it back home: that’s right, Soccer Aid is back at Old Trafford.
The annual charity match on behalf of UNICEF first kicked off at the Theatre of Dreams almost two full decades ago, with the inaugural fixture set up by Robbie Williams back in 2006.
Fast forward to 19 years later and the fantastic fundraising game has grown massively, attracting huge attendances and practically sold-out crowds whenever it comes to Old Trafford, where this whole wonderful thing first started.
Sharing the first trailer for the game this week, the Soccer Aid 2025 is shaping up to include some serious big personalities from football, sport, entertainment and beyond.
As you can see, not only will the next instalment of Soccer Aid feature familiar faces but there are some new kids on the block ready to mix things up.
First off, not only will Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney be serving as player/manager for the first time – carrying on the baton from the days Robbie running on and off the pitch – but he will also be joined by none other than Tyson Fury in looking after the Three Lions.
This a first for the event so we hope there are no fisticuffs between the gaffer and his assistant. After all, they both have priors when it comes to getting out the boxing gloves.
As for the World XI’s technical area, actor Vicky McClure (This Is England, Line of Duty) will also be on the touchline alongside English footballing veteran Harry Redknapp. Meanwhile, ex-national team and Man City goalie, David James, will be serving as the keeper coach.
You can see the full Soccer Aid 2025 player lineup down below:
Better yet, the exhibition’s beloved halftime show also returns this year and while the full list of the performers is yet to be confirmed, we have our money on a few names in particular.
Who knows, maybe we’ll be ‘loving angles instead’?…
Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025 gets underway this summer on Sunday, 15 June and besides being for a deeply important cause, one of the best parts about it is that the tickets are always affordable.
With general admission already live, tickets start from £20 for adults and just £10 for kids – plus there are plenty of premium packages and accessible options too.
Georgina Pellant -
29th October 2021 
