A Victorian landmark in Manchester city centre has been placed on a ‘most at risk’ list by a national heritage group SAVE.
Surrounded by chicken shops, bargain booze outlets, and the sticky-floored entertainment behemoth that is The Printworks complex, with its peeling paint and empty windows Withy Grove Stores Ltd. certainly gives the impression of being abandoned.
The landmark site has just been added to a list by the campaign group SAVE Britain’s Heritage, naming it as one of the country’s most at risk buildings.
SAVE has previously campaigned to rescue the Old Trafford Bowling Club pavilion, which dates from 1877 and was granted listed status last month.
Speaking on the campaign to rescue Withy Grove Stores from redevelopment, SAVE says: “You would be forgiven for thinking the building is abandoned and derelict. It sits just behind the Printworks and is known for its old metal sign “WITHY GROVE STORES” on its east elevation.
“Today, the ground floor is currently occupied by Withy Grove Office Interiors, which specialises in safes and reconditioned office furniture but the rest of the building appears empty and in poor condition.
“The original Withy Grove Company was officially established in 1850. This was after starting life as the Richmond Safe Company (set up by John R Solomon in 1799), which supplied iron-branded and ironclad strongboxes for ships.
“The company moved to the offices seen today, in 1840, and renamed themselves Withy Grove Stores. From here the company expanded to have 3 sites in the North West – Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool. It is thought that the building and business were passed down in the same family since the Victorian era.
“The building is a lone reminder of similar industrial buildings in the street that have all since been lost. It boasts its original sash windows, a slate roof, decorative quoins and has examples of fine modillion eaves cornicing and a rare fanlight window pediment on the corner elevation. The internal condition of the building is unknown, but externally it is in a poor state of repair.
“There appears to be salt damage to the brickwork on the upper floors, as well as foliage growing out of the shopfront on the Dantzic Street frontage. As a survivor of Manchester’s Victorian industrial heritage, the warehouse deserves to be protected and restored to a more secure condition.”
Withy Grove Stores is one of 70 new venues listed on the SAVE register, which is now in its 34th year.
Other venues to feature on the list this year include West Yorkshire’s The Mechanics Institute in Otley, Leeds, described as “a cultured and refined palazzo standing with a back-drop of Yorkshire hills.”
Featured image – The Manc Group
Manchester
Manchester to fall silent today to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day
Emily Sergeant
Manchester will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ Day) with a poignant ceremony at the city’s Cenotaph today.
While VE Day in May 1945 signified the end of World War II in Europe, thousands of British, Commonwealth, and Allied troops continued to fight in Asia and the Pacific – but VJ Day, which was declared on 15 August 1945, brought a final end to the global conflict.
The day remains a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of those who fought for freedom, and Manchester‘s commemorations today will aim to honour their courage, resilience, and sacrifice.
The event will bring together veterans, civic leaders, cadets, and members of the public in a shared moment of reflection and gratitude.
This year’s commemorations in the city centre will begin at 11:50am.
15 August 1945 marked Victory over Japan.
Join us tomorrow at 11:40am at the Cenotaph to commemorate the 80th anniversary of WWII in the Far East and honour those who served🫡
A two minute silence will be held at 12 noon, marked by a maroon.
Commemorations will start with opening remarks from The Very Reverend Rogers Govender, followed by a solemn programme of remembrance.
The service will begin at 11:58am with The Exhortation recited by Brigadier AG Ross OBE, followed by The Last Post sounded by WO2 Nick Burroughs, and then at midday, a national two-minute silence will be observed – which will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
Brigadier Ross will then recite the Kohima Epitaph, leading into the wreath laying ceremony featuring cadets from the Manchester Trafalgar Unit Sea Cadets, and the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
The service will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem.
Manchester to fall silent today to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day / Credit: Manchester City Council
Iconic buildings and landmarks in Manchester, including the Manchester Civic Quarter Heat Network (CQHN) tower, will illuminate their facades from 9pm tonight to honour VJ Day.
“Today, Manchester stands united in remembrance and respect,” commented Councillor Carmine Grimshaw, who is the Lord Mayor of Manchester. “The 80th anniversary of VJ Day is not only a tribute to those who served and sacrificed, but also a celebration of peace and resilience.
“Manchester’s commemorations today reflect the deep gratitude we hold for those who gave so much for the freedoms we have today.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Manchester
A bottomless brunch with unlimited lager is launching in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A bottomless brunch with unlimited pints of lager will be launching in Manchester this month.
Forget the mimosas and warm prosecco and lacklustre portions of French toast – this new bottomless offering is all about proper pints and hefty focaccia sandwiches.
The Lager, Lager, Lager bottomless brunch is the newest fixture in the Trading Route’s roster, taking place in the lagerhouse at St John’s every Saturday.
It’s designed to be Manchester’s first bottomless tailored to those who love, tall, foamy pints of the good stuff.
Every punter will get 60 minutes of unlimited, freshly-poured foamy pints, as well as a choice of the restaurant’s focaccia sandwiches, made in-house every single day.
DJs will be spinning classic house and disco tunes as you tuck into your pints and butties.
Jamie Scahill, Trading Route Co-Founder said: “Lager, Lager, Lager isn’t an underworld event, it’s for everyone who loves a freshly poured foamy pint to come down and enjoy.
“Whether you were born slippy or not, the fun is to leave slippy, having revelled in great beer, food and company.”
A bottomless brunch with unlimited lager is launching in Manchester
Trading Route opened last year, specialising in perfectly-poured pints of Manchester Union, as well as rotisserie chicken and huge sandwiches.
As well as Lager, Lager, Lager’s launch, over the bank holiday weekend there’ll be a happy hour which will include £4.80 pints, cocktails at £8.50 and a carafe of wine for £12.50 on Thursday 21 August.
Funkademia will then take over the venue from 5pm on Friday 22 August.
Lager, Lager, Lager will begin on Saturday 23 August and will run every Saturday from 12pm until 5pm.
The Trading Route bottomless lager brunch costs £28, and you can book your spot HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
4th July 2023 
