News
A new food and drink hall is opening in one of Manchester’s most historic buildings
A new food hall concept is opening inside one of Manchester’s most historic buildings, taking on a space where the old Natural History Museum once stood.
Brought to life by the team behind Peter Street aperitivo bar Haunt, the new drink and dining hall will sit just around the corner on Museum Street inside the Grade II-listed St George’s House building.
Called Exhibition, it will bring together three independent kitchen concepts alongside two different in-house bars managed in-house and (as you might’ve guessed from the name) a range of dedicated exhibition spaces.
Aiming to push the boundaries of Manchester’s vibrant entertainment scene with the addition of changing works from local artists and a theatrical performance element come nightfall, it will sit inside a stunning period building rich with local history.
Interiors have been stripped back to the bone, leaving not much more than an industrial shell of exposed brick and beams behind.
The new 6,000sqft food hall will serve local beers on tap, an extensive wine list and premium spirits, with locally-brewed craft Manchester Union Lager poured straight from a specially-installed tank.
There will also be a second bar dedicated to seasonally-changing cocktails which will celebrate a new spirit every quarter.
Not much has yet been revealed on the food yet, with operators only saying that kitchens will be serving up ‘innovative seasonal menus with a refined flair’ and offering a mixture of small and large plates.
Then, after dark, the 400-capacity venue will play host to nightly DJs and entertainers, showcasing the very best of Manchester’s creative scene.
Owners are keen to embrace the rich history of the site as they breathe new life into it with the opening of Exhibition.
Based within the stunning settings of St George’s House, which was built on top of Manchester’s old Natural History Museum following its demolishment, this corner of Peter Stret has a significant past.,
As well as once being home to Manchester’s Natural History Museum, it sits above the site of the 1817 Peterloo Massacre where hundreds were injured following peaceful protests for parliamentary reform.
And that’s not all. It is also the very place where the body of Hannah Beswick, also known as the Manchester Mummy, was found.
A wealthy woman with a pathological fear of premature burial, upon her instructuions following her death her body was embalmed and then kept above ground to be periodically checked for signs of life.
Read more: Charles White: How the Royal Infirmary’s founder became the guardian of The Manchester Mummy
It’s something the team are keen to celebrate, as they prepare to open Exhibition this Autumn.
Sam Wheatley, Operations Manager said: “We can’t wait to start welcoming people to Exhibition this Autumn, and hope to bring something different to Peter Street. It’s been a passion project for the whole team, and we can’t wait to see this incredible space brought back to life.
“Nurturing local businesses and artists is integral to Exhibition, and we’re so excited to share our venue with some of the most talented people from across the region.”
Feature image – Geograph / Supplied
News
Castlefield is being transformed into Gotham amidst more Hollywood filming in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
Castlefield, with its iconic viaduct and cobbled streets, is once again being used for big-budget filming as the latest Batman/DC Universe title, Clayface, looks to be setting up in the eye-catching Manc corner.
Whether it’s football kit reveals and brand shoots, BBC dramas or the next upcoming Netflix series, production crews can’t get enough of Castlefield, it would seem.
For those who hadn’t heard, work on the new Clayface movie revolving around the cult favourite Batman villain is well underway, and the North West has been used as the backdrop on multiple ocassions this month already.
You can see early glimpses of the set being put together down below.
https://x.com/TheMancUK/status/1967944490360226167
Come on, how cool is it that we get to stumble on stuff like this right on our doorstep so often?
Speaking to The Manc, a source detailed that the set is being assembled today (Tuesday, 16 September) ahead of a single day of principal photography on what we can only assume is more Clayface filming sometime tomorrow.
While she could not confirm with us directly, she said, “If you’re a comic book nerd and look at the posters, you’ll be able to figure it out.” We’ve certainly been studying all the easter eggs already.
It might not quite be as dark and gritty as Gotham City, but this particular part of Manchester has been used in TV and film – especially period dramas – many times for good reason.
The Victorian-era steel structure, dark red brick and overall industrial aesthetic work so well when it comes to creating a believable and cinematic world.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, you can add multiple music videos, several Manchester United and Man City shirt launches, and so many more that we’re starting to lose track.
As for Clayface, this isn’t even the first time the upcoming DC ‘body-horror’ flick has popped up in Greater Manchester.
Last week saw the equally striking Art Deco facade of the old The Plaza Super Cinema in Stockport turned into a fictional movie premiere to stunning effect:
We can’t get enough of stuff like this; we know there have been plenty of instances of Hollywood films and various TV projects utilising our streets and increasingly recognisable surroundings, but it still makes us feel like excited little kids.
Speaking of, another childhood favourite is filming here in Manchester right now, too.
Besides perhaps the most famous instance of Peaky Blinders shooting in these parts, the new Narnia adaptation by Greta Gerwig may just be one of the biggest projects that has ever landed underneath the familiar ‘birdcage’.
ln fact, it just so happens that there are actually multiple noteworthy small and silver screen works fighting over the Castlefield shooting schedule at the moment…
Read more:
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Featured Images — The Manc Group
News
Manchester City staff member sacked after wearing Man United shirt to shift
Danny Jones
Man City have divided a fair few supporters after they sacked a barman for wearing a United shirt to their shift during the Manchester derby.
Although it’s not exactly surprising, the decision has ruffled plenty of feathers on both sides, as well as among neutral fans.
The Blues emerged victorious in the 197th clash between the two local rivals, winning 3-0 on an evening that paid tribute to the late, great Ricky Hatton, but another backstory looming over the fixture that caught the attention of football fans online was the City staff member who lost his job.
Working on concessions inside the Etihad Stadium before the game, the barman was made known to the official MCFC Matchday Support channel on X, who quickly confirmed he had been let go before the game even began.
In the since-deleted post, the home fan who reported the worker wrote: “Absolute joke – letting one of the bar staff in block 315 wear a United shirt on Derby Day.”
Although many City fans applauded the fast action by the club on the day, it’s fair to say that sacking him so soon that he didn’t even last until kick-off has rubbed many others the wrong way.
One Liverpool fan commented: “I hate United way more than City, but to sack him from a job because of an item of clothing is crazy. So, so poor from Manchester City, this. It’s just football lads, he’s not wearing a political or derogatory symbol. It’s literally a football team…”
Another neutral added: “Getting a minimum wage worker sacked for having a bit of fun instead of just winding him up is the absolute sad state this country is in.”
Even the ‘Out Of Context Football Manager‘ parody account chipped in, writing: “The guy’s been sacked for this. All he needed was a formal warning. I get he’s taking the p*ss – but losing a salary he might really need over this?!
While many have been even more outspoken in their response, as you can see, many supporters – be they Red or otherwise – have come up with arguably the perfect solution:
Manchester City are yet to comment on the backlash, apart from the initial confirmation that the still-anonymous staff member has been released from his position, but as for Man United, simply sticking him on the kiosks in the Stretford End could prove to be a very easy bit of positive PR.
Besides the growing frustration around the fanbase, as Ruben Amorim has yet to turn things around at Old Trafford (pressure was growing even before the derby day defeat), the Red Devils could no doubt do with some positive press for a change.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and the wider INEOS Sports administration sanctioned a second round of redundancies at United, with approximately 450 individuals losing their jobs.
That being said, although some have labelled the sacking of the now ex-City barman as “absolutely horrendous behaviour” for Man City, many jumped to quip back that “[United are] more likely to sack more bar staff, not hire them”, as well as simultaneously taking aim at their significant transfer spending.
Read more:
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Featured Images — Mataniels via X (now deleted)/The Manc Group
Georgina Pellant -
8th September 2022 
