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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Stockport man jailed for life after kidnapping and sexually assaulting teenage girl
Emily Sergeant
A Stockport man has been sentenced to life in prison after kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl on her way home from the library.
Paul Sharpe has been sentenced to life imprisonment with an eight-year minimum term in prison after being convicted of a number of offences when subjected a teenage girl to what police called a ‘terrifying ordeal’ that lasted several hours back in May 2026.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed that the victim had been studying at Sale Library before beginning her journey home with friends at around 5:50pm and contacting her parents at 6:10pm to let them know she was on her way.
Twenty minutes later, she spoke to her boyfriend on the phone and said she was approximately five minutes away from home, but that her phone battery was about to die.
This was the last contact received from the victim that evening.
While walking along Bradgate Road in Altrincham, the victim noticed a grey Ford parked nearby and a man wearing a high-visibility jacket pressing doorbells in the area.
As she walked past, Sharpe approached her from behind, placed her in a headlock and threatened to stab her if she did not get into his vehicle.
Concerned that their daughter had not returned home, the victim’s family contacted police at 9:22pm to report her missing, and officers immediately launched an investigation to locate her.
Over the next several hours, the victim was subjected to and placed in a number of terrifying situations.
Sharpe drove the victim to several locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, before police located and arrested him at around 3:40am on 19 May 2026.
Following his arrested, 56-year-old Sharpe was convicted of kidnap, committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence, sexual assault, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, threats with a bladed article, and administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, annoy or aggrieve.
“This was a terrifying ordeal for a young girl who was simply making her way home,” explained Detective Inspector Karl Perry, from GMP’s Criminal Investigation Department.
“Sharpe targeted a vulnerable victim, subjected her to hours of fear and intimidation, and went on to sexually assault her.
“The victim has shown immense courage throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Through her bravery and actions, she no doubt made it harder for Sharpe to carry out whatever acts he had planned.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Georgina Pellant -
4th August 2022 
