Following a lengthy spate of closure, traditional Manchester boozer the Ancoats Lad will reopen its doors this weekend to welcome back loyal regulars in style.
With a refreshed look, new owners and a brand new name, the pub will now be known as The Mancunian – but, out of respect for its punters, pretty much everything else will stay as it was.
With a fresh lick of paint, hyper-local drinks offering, and new contributions to the decor from local artists Dave Draws and The Manc Wanderer, it’s the same pub in spirit – but with a slightly fresher feel.
We popped down this week ahead of the new opening for a sneak peek at the site and a chat with the pub’s new co-owner Perry Morrissey, who, just like landlord Phil Bell before him, has a long family history of owning nightlife businesses in the city centre.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Those who’ve visited the micropub before will likely know its former landlord kept a lot of memorabilia on the walls (and ceilings) over the years, some of which he has left behind for new owners Perry and Josh.
These historic pieces, some of which depict life on the streets of Ancoats and the Northern Quarter over 150 years ago, are still on display as part of a new feature wall that blends the old with the new.
Here full-skirted Victorians depicted in black and white sit side-by-side with color images of the city today, taken by The Manc Wanderer (aka Nathan Whittaker) – including one of Manchester favourite Boom Box Barrington.
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Image: The Manc Eats
On the other side, a new mural by artist Dave Draws has been created in the style of a fantasy map that puts current venues alongside those from the past, such as the ‘Scuttler’s Wine Bar’, as a way of celebrating its history and bringing together the old and the new.
The idea behind this, Perry tells us, was to show “how the city’s changed now”. Elsewhere in the pub, the old Ancoats Lad sign remains – now part of the decore, nailed to the wall by the pub’s bathrooms.
As for the drinks offering here, Perry tells us the pair have already spoken with Phil on what they should stock, saying: “[he] let us know which ones was the big sellers, a bit of what the Ancoats lad used to drink.”
Image: The Manc Eats
As well as continuing to stock these all-important regular favourites, they’re also bringing in some new locally-made beers and spirits from the likes of Shindigger, Manchester Union Lager, Salford Rum and Manchester Gin.
The pair also plan to introduce live music at the site, which is nicely sandwiched between pubs/music venues Gullivers and The Castle Hotel, starting with a one-man band that will play every Friday and Saturday from 4-7pm.
They also intend to make The Mancunian a good football pub, with the planned addition of big TV screens to watch the sport on ready for the start of the World Cup this September.
Image: The Manc Eats
As we’ve already mentioned, this is not Perry’s first foray into hospitality – he already has another pub in Bury, called The Treeehouse, and his family has a long history of owning nightclubs in the city centre – including the famous Ampersand and Paparrazi
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As he gears up to open The Mancunian this weekend, he tells us he now has his eyes set on taking over a few more in the city centre with the help of his business partner Josh.
With a great appreciation for the dying breed of traditional boozers, the pair hope to take back some more of Ancoats’ “lost venues” – stealing them away from the trendy cocktail bars that have run amock in this part of town for the past however-many years.
Good luck to them. Manchester has definitely neglected some of its traditional boozers in recent years, which seems silly given how they are so beloved by locals.
The Mancunian’s official reopening date is set for Saturday 16 July.
Feature image.- The Manc Eats
Manchester
A Japanese fine dining restaurant is opening in the former Randall & Aubin site
Georgina Pellant
A new Japanese fine dining restaurant will open on Bridge Street in Manchester this October, bringing a theatrical ‘multi-sensory’ dining experience to the city.
Giving diners the chance to dine from specially created 7 and 11-course tasting menus or opt for a traditional ‘chef’s choice’ experience at its six-seat Omakase counter, bosses say it will offer a contemporary interpretation of Japanese dishes currently not seen outside of London.
Called MUSU, which translates as ‘infinite possibilities,’ the restaurant is the brainchild of Chef Patron Michael Shaw, who has worked at top eateries including Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and Richard Neat’s eponymous restaurant in Canne.
Image: Supplied
Shaw has spent the last 18 months honing his passion for Japanese cuisine in preparation to open MUSU and will bring on Head Sushi Chef Andre Aguiar, who has trained under renowned Japanese sushi master YugoKato, to head up the kitchen.
When MUSU it opens its doors on Bridge Street on 6 October, diners will be treated to a new tasting menu concept that promises to deliver a ‘multi-sensory dining experience.’
Its menu is divided into three sections – Sentaku, Kaiseki and Omakase – giving diners the choice between ordering dishes a la carte style, opting for a set seven or eleven-course tasting menu, or entrusting the chef to create their ‘perfect menu.’
Served to guests at the six-seat Omakase counter, the latter is presided over by Head Sushi Chef Andre Aguiar.
Drinks-wise, diners can look forward to a mixture of classic cocktails, Japanese sakes and whiskies, as well as a specially chosen list of wines handpicked by house sommelier Ivan Milchev.
As for the new high-end Japanese restaurant’s design, MUSU’s multi-million-pound interiors will boast bespoke Italian furniture, subtle mood lighting and bespoke Geisha-inspired walls, with a bar made from Dekton stone, banana leaf patterned brass and onyx.
Feature image – Supplied
Manchester
Police give update and appeal for information after man dies following shooting in Moss Side
Emily Sergeant
The appeal for information and eyewitnesses comes after police were called to a serious incident and reports of a shooting on Claremont Road at around 00:15am on Monday 15 August, and a 20-year-old man was subsequently found with serious injuries.
Officers administered CPR at the scene, but the man was taken to hospital and was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
A scene was put in place by detectives at Princess Parkway and Claremont Road following the incident yesterday, and members of the public and commuters were strongly advised to avoid the area where possible.
An investigation has since been launched and enquiries are ongoing, GMP confirmed.
Police also confirmed that formal identification of the victim has taken place and officers are supporting the family through this process as they inform loved ones, but the family has requested privacy until this time.
“Firstly, my thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man, aged 20, who senselessly lost his life through this violent act,” Detective Superintendent David Meeney said in an update statement.
“Our officers were completely focused on administering CPR and trying to save the victims life but despite best efforts, he was pronounced dead in hospital a short time later [and we worked] throughout the night to fully understand the events that occurred early this morning, and specialist officers are supporting his family and loved ones.”
Detective Superintendent Meeney confirmed that the victim had “sustained multiple wounds” when officers arrived at the scene, but the nature of these injuries are “yet to be confirmed”.
He also reassured local residents and the wider public that GMP does not believe at this time that this incident was related to a firearms incident in the area on the 29 July 2022, but added that the force is “keeping an open mind” and is “investigating all lines of enquiry”.
Police were called to a serious incident and reports of a shooting on Claremont Road yesterday / Credit: Google Maps
Directly addressing the public in an appeal for information and eyewitnesses, Detective Superintendent Meeney continued: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the Claremont Road area in the early hours of this morning, who may have seen something that could help us in tracking down the perpetrator(s).
“We know there had to be witnesses to this offence, as people made their way home from Moss Side Carnival.
“The investigation is in its early stages, but we are committed to identifying the person or persons who committed this horrendous act of violence and bring them to justice.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that it has increased patrols in the immediate area to “keep the community safe”.
Anyone with information relating to the shooting in Moss Side is asked to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 quoting log number 40 of the 15th August 2022, or alternatively, details can be passed on anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers – 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
15th July 2022 
