If you wanted an excuse to get out of dry January this year, do it for your local pub.
The end of 2021 saw most English pubs suffer huge losses, with takings falling as much as 60% in some venues compared with 2019 revenues, said UK Hospitality.
With December equal to three months’ takings in the sector, the effect has been devastating for Manchester’s pubs, which find themselves needing your support now more than ever.
For those who can’t bring themselves to commit to Dry January, this is the perfect out.
For others who really do want to cut back on their alcohol intake, that’s fine too, but hospitality bosses are asking people to consider going out for a meal or opting for a low or no alcohol alternative as a way of offering support.
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This is not the year for dry January, support your local pubs
UK Hospitality figures show that business had been nearing pre-pandemic levels before the arrival of the Omicron variant and a collapse in consumer confidence that lead to widespread cancellations and huge losses during a key period for hospitality.
It seems that most Brits chose to stay at home on both sides of Christmas, with sales down, on average, 60% on Christmas Day, 25% on Christmas Eve and 35% on Boxing Day – meaning many venues haven’t had the chance to build up the usual cash reserves that help see them through the ‘dry’ period at the start of the new year.
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Kate Nicholls, the trade body’s chief executive, told The Guardian: “I think we could definitely dispense with it [dry January].”
Calling on people who might typically avoid alcohol at this year to try something else, such as a low (or no) alcohol drink or opting to visit a pub for a meal, she added: “This year, there are an awful lot more non-alcoholic options available that are really good quality, so there’s no excuse not to go out and support your local hospitality business.”
Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord has also joined calls to support pubs this January, taking to Twitter to urge people: “With the decimation of Xmas cancellations… If there was ever a time to support your local independents… It’s now.”
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Others have been even more outspoken about ditching Dry January altogether, such as Paul Foster, the chef-owner of Michelin restaurant Salt, who tweeted simply: “Sack off dry January and support your favourite pubs.”
Agreed, support hospitality, give up drinking alone at home
In response to a person that replied “I believe it’s possible to go to a pub and not drink alcohol.” he agreed, but made the point that there is “very little money in that for pubs.”
Perhaps that is the case for soft drinks, but when it comes to low and no alcohol beers, cocktails, wines and spirits, the margin is actually pretty good.
Sales of low and no alcohol have been on the rise since 2019, especially amongst beer drinkers – who are generally of the opinion that the offerings have vastly improved in recent years. Due to the rise in popularity, consumers now generally accept that they will be paying a similar price for a low alchohol alternative, too.
Of course, going out and supporting pubs is all well and good, but other measures also need to be put in place – buying pints and pies isn’t going to save the sector all on its own.
There have been consistent calls from hospitality bosses for a renewed commitment from the government to keep VAT at 12.5%, as well as calls for enhanced rates relief for the sector.
And whilst bosses seem to mostly agree that restrictions should be kept to a minimum, they also add that further support would be needed if additional measures do come into force here in England.
‘Please help’ – plea to save one of Manchester’s oldest theatres as beautiful building falls into disrepair
Daisy Jackson
A fresh appeal and Crowdfunder has been launched to try and save one of Manchester’s oldest and most beautiful theatre buildings.
The Hulme Playhouse Theatre and the Nia Centre are at risk of closing down once again as both the list of repairs and the cost of living rise.
The venue, used now as a community hub and events space operated by NIAMOS, is in ‘desperate need of repair’ and they need to raise £50,000 for the urgent work.
Without it, it’s feared that the ‘cold and leaking’ building could be lost forever and ‘another cultural institution could be turned into flats’.
At present, the historic Grade II-listed building doesn’t have a heating system, and winter has brought new pressures.
NIAMOS, a group of local residents and community volunteers, say they want to ‘honour the important legacy of this renowned venue’.
NIAMOS have launched a Crowdfunder for the Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre. Credit: NIAMOS
The beautiful building in Hulme was first opened in 1902 and is one of only two remaining W. H. Broadhead theatres.
At one time, Broadhead owned an empire of theatres, and designed the space to resemble a factory from the outside, hoping to help working class audiences in Manchester feel at home.
In 1956, the BBC took over and turned it into BBC Soundstage North, where The Beatles’ first-ever live radio performance was broadcast from.
Then the legendary Nina Simone opened it theas The Nia Centre in 1991, becoming the first African and Caribbean-led theatre in Europe.
The space is used for community events. Credit: NIAMOS
The cultural significance of this building really can’t be overstated, and the NIAMOS team are desperate to save it.
They said in their Crowdfunder: “Our mission is to preserve the heritage of the Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre, by keeping the building and the Arts it facilitates accessible to all communities, all ages and capabilities.”
NIAMOS’ message continued: “We need help to be able to keep all the incredible projects that happen in the building going and make sure the space stays open as a hub for the Hulme community and beyond! We need to honour the important legacy of this renowned venue, still independent in the heart of Manchester, and not let another cultural institution be turned into flats.
“We want to make sure the building stays open as much as possible over winter and improve the equipment that local and young artists have access to through us, including music production, sound and lighting engineering, arts workshops, film and media production and acting classes.
“The building is in desperate need of repair and a heating system which we currently do not have at all! Alongside all of this, the running costs of the building and the rising cost of living mean we are under pressure this winter.
“We rely on volunteer support to run and host events for our community and our voluntary members have worked extremely hard to keep the building afloat, but our members cannot give as much of their time as we need and with the challenge of a cold and leaking building we are in need of help to save this space from closing down!!
“When the current directorship took over the running of the building they also took on significant debts, this has meant we have been two steps forward and one step back. Despite all the hard work of the people who have been running the space voluntarily we need help over the quieter winter months.
Credit: NIAMOS
“We need to stay open long enough to apply for further funding bids, including long term support from the Heritage Lottery fund, as we are a grade II listed building. We have an amazing programme of events and projects we want to put on this year that will build on sustaining us financially and provide opportunities for community artists and creatives.
“Keeping this building open and functional is of great importance for Hulme and the surrounding areas communities; we need your help! Developing heating solutions and doing necessary repairs in the building will enable us to stay open during the colder months and help us with our aim of making the building more conscious and sustainable.
Tim Martin is blaming ‘people drinking at home’ for UK Wetherspoons closures
Georgina Pellant
It’s no secret that times are hard for hospitality right now, with pubs and restaurants shutting left, right and centre – but when UK pub giant Wetherspoons starts closing its doors you have to wonder if anyone can survive in this climate.
In September last year, the budget pub chain began listing sites for sale with 32 boozers going up as part of what it described as a “commercial decision”.
Now, it has listed even more – and arch-Brexiteer Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin is apparently blaming people ‘drinking at home’ for the closures.
After the chain suffered a £30 million pound loss, CEO Tim Martin told PA news agency that people ‘have got into the habit of staying in’ ever since Covid and that that was why sales were down on 2019.
He also blamed lockdown restrictions brought in to stop the spread of Covid during the heigh of the pandemic for the pub’s losses,
He said: “The aftermath of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have been far more difficult than anyone thought.
“That is the picture for the whole pub and restaurant industry. People thought that after lockdown there would be a boom in people suffering from cabin fever but, instead, it has almost become the opposite situation as people have got into the habit of staying in.
“That’s the big thing that means sales are down on 2019. Things are improving now but it’s slow.”
The pub sales are being handled by CBRE and Savills. Toby Hall, senior director at CBRE, said: “The excellent mix of locations in this portfolio is rarely seen in the market.
“With more than half the portfolio located in London and the South East and other strong locations in the South West, Midlands and North we believe the pubs represent an excellent opportunity for existing pub operators and new entrants.”
Georgina Pellant -
5th January 2022 
