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.
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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.
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“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
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Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
Daisy Jackson
Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.
Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.
A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.
Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.
It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
Georgina Pellant -
4th August 2022 
