The team behind Northern Quarter bar Cottonopolis and Ancoats pub The Edinburgh Castle has transformed Withington’s old Natwest bank into a new bar and restaurant, breathing new life into the long-empty landmark.
Opening later this month, the new venue Libertines will focus on live fire cooking with an all-day restaurant menu of chargrilled small plates spanning locally-sourced vegetables, meat and fish.
The restaurant will also serve brunch and Sunday roasts on the weekends inside the beautifully-renovated historic site, transformed from a once-humdrum bank into a stunning venue deserving of its grand period features.
The bar, meanwhile, will put a strong focus on beer – with a total of 24 different styles offered on tap at any time, including four cask ales, from what was once the bank teller’s desk.
Image: Supplied
Elsewhere, the Libertine cocktail list will include classic drinks alongside some delicious signature offerings created by the team.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Natwest bank, a Grade II-listed landmark that sits at the heart of Withington Village, has been lovingly restored by the team over a period of months and is now set to enjoy a new lease of life as an all-day eatery with a community focus.
Bosses say that the food concept will ‘be varied with something for everyone in mind,’ promising.to bring Withington locals ‘a place where you can eat well, drink well, soak up the atmosphere and listen to good music’.
Image: Supplied
A press release adds that it will be a ‘space that shifts with the seasons, while also celebrating contemporary, ingredient-focused cooking with an underlying global accent’.
Nick Muir, director of Libertine and himself an architect by trade, said in a statement: “Myself, Hayley and the team hope to be a welcome addition to Withington.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Libertine is a prominent building in the village, much-loved by the locals. With considerate attention to detail, we hope to have done justice to this beautiful building.
“In creating a warm and welcoming space for all to enjoy, we will bring both quality and comfort, with a stylish twist on a traditional setting and exceptional standards.
“We are thrilled to be a part of this neighbourhood and look forward to opening our doors in August. “
Due to open on Friday 12 August, Libertine will open daily from 12pm for drinks and begin its evening dinner service at 5pm with the last sitting at 9pm. Brunch will run from 12-3pm on Saturdays, and Sunday roasts will be served from 12pm-8pm.
Feature image – Supplied
News
Salford confirms another ex-player as new CEO of phoenix rugby club
Danny Jones
As Salford turns the page of a new chapter in its rugby league history, ex-Red Devils player Ryan Brierley has been announced as the new chief executive officer (CEO).
His appointment was confirmed on Wednesday, 24 December, giving Salford rugby fans some fresh hope over the festive period.
Brierley, who played as a full back at Salford Red Devils from 2022 before leaving for Oldham RLFC halfway through last season earlier this year, follows fellow former player Mason Caton-Brown in returning to the team in a leadership capacity.
Sharing the news on his own social media, he wrote: “Incredibly honoured to announce I have been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Salford RLFC.”
His official statement goes on to read: “I would like to place on record my gratitude to the board members Malcolm Crompton, Mason Caton Brown and Paul Hancock for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the RFL and Salford City Council for their continued support.
“Lastly, but most importantly, to the Salford fans: what we had to go through last year was heartbreaking. I think I can speak to the wider Rugby League community and echo the sentiments of all fans that no club should ever go through that experience.
“Thank you for letting me lead this organisation into a new era. I’ve always said Salford people are my people and I will protect this club, with its best interests at heart. It is important [that] expectations are managed, and patience is required.”
He signed off by simply asking for the same support he was afforded as a fan, adding: “I have no doubt in my mind that you will go above and beyond, it’s just what Salford fans do…”
Led by the aforementioned Caton-Brown (a retired winger who played for the Red Devils between 2014-26), as well as another pair of directors in Hancock and Crompton, the Salford phoenix club has officially been given a Championship license for 2026.
Although relegation from the Super League and liquidation after 152 years were dark days for the club, this new consortium has already provided fans with some promising signs.
Besides saving the Salford sporting institution from total extinction, having previous members of the old outfit who know the bones, the stadium, the culture and the city so well is obviously a big bonus.
For now, it is a race against time to get a squad ready for the season opener against Brierley’s last team, Oldham – though contracts for a head coach and several players have reportedly been “pre-agreed”.
Featured Images — John Moorhouse (via Geograph)/supplied (via Rumpus PR)
News
Netflix drops the first trailer for upcoming Peaky Blinders film
Danny Jones
It looks like Christmas has come early for TV drama fans and cinephiles, because Netflix has officially dropped the first trailer for the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.
Popcorn at the ready – even the teaser alone has got us fired up.
ln just 70 seconds, they’ve managed to pull us right back in, and we cannot wait to see Cillian Murphy back in full-on Tommy Shelby mode.
Not exaggerating when we say we have LITERAL chills.
As you can see, they certainly haven’t scrimped on the budget with the first-ever feature-length Peaky Blinders film, neither in terms of production value nor the cast.
Then again, having already hosted the likes of Sam Neill, Tom Hardy, Adrien Brody, Anya Taylor-Joy and others in the series itself, as well as going on to become one of the most successful BBC shows of all time, they were never going to.
We’re sure you spotted plenty of them for yourselves, but the debut trailer for The Immortal Man gives us not only our first glimpses of now Oscar-winning Murphy, 49, back in the saddle (both figuratively and literally) but also fellow blockbuster Irish actor, Barry Keoghan.
Other big names set to appear in the movie – set for a limited release in theatres before launching exclusively on Netflix – include Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Roth. It still remains unclear, however, as to how any of these characters will knit into the new season.
It’s also worth noting that the trailer shares a little snippet of the historical context, this continuation of the Shelby story is playing into, as we see what looks to be Nazi figures meeting on screen.
Creator Steven Knight has already confirmed that the plot will fast-forward some years to meet back up with Tommy at the outset of WWII and his ancestral home of Birmingham during the Blitz.
Having already confirmed 6 March as the theatrical release date ahead of it going live on Netflix a fortnight later, the anticipation was seriously starting to ramp; this latest look has only added to the tinderbox of excitement.
What do you make of the Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man trailer, and will you be watching it?
Georgina Pellant -
4th August 2022 
