One Eight Six in Manchester city centre has posted an emotional statement following the huge blaze inside its venue on New Year’s Eve.
A fire broke out at the Deansgate basement bar shortly after the midnight countdown.
Terrifying CCTV footage obtained by the Manchester Evening News showed the moment balloons across the ceiling caught fire.
The footage shows how quickly the blaze took hold, with people scrambling for safety.
Screams and loud popping noises can be heard.
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CCTV from when the fire took hold at One Eight Six.
Around 170 people were evacuated from One Eight Six, and two men were treated for smoke inhalation.
The bar’s co-founder Dean Mac has now released a public statement, saying it has taken ‘five long, emotional days’ to address the fire – which they say has destroyed the main bar and live music venue.
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He wrote: “We cannot put into words how deeply excruciatingly painful this is to be writing, but the fire that broke out just after midnight on NYE has completely destroyed the main room and the majority of the contents within.”
One Eight Six
The statement also thanks their staff and the emergency services who reacted so quickly to save people’s lives.
One Eight Six say they will reopen ‘as soon as we possibly can’.
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They are urging anyone affected by the incident and seeking professional support to reach out.
One Eight Six was only open for three months before the pandemic started and forced it to close for a year.
People have been responding with messages of support for the venue.
Love Island star Scott Thomas wrote: “The comeback will be beautiful.”
Actor and model Gemma Pell posted: “Ugh this is emotional! Sending you all so much love, light and strength at this difficult time. Bring on the come back”
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The full statement from One Eight Six
“It has taken 5 long, emotional days to write this…
“The ONE EIGHT SIX concept and venue on Deansgate took us 2 years to create and build. Just three months after launch night, we were told we had to close our doors for 12 months due to a global pandemic.
“Once we were allowed to re-open, we could have only dreamt of what ONE EIGHT SIX was going to become and how our loyal customers were going to love the brand as much as we did.
“We have built the most dedicated and professional family of staff and we were all so incredibly excited to be celebrating New Years Eve with you, especially after such a successful Christmas period.
“We cannot put into words how deeply excruciatingly painful this is to be writing, but the fire that broke out just after midnight on NYE has completely destroyed the main room and the majority of the contents within.
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“We will be forever grateful to all our brave staff and the emergency services that saved peoples lives that night, and no matter what material items are gone, everyone is safe.
“If any of our customers that night still have belongings inside the venue, please send the ONE EIGHT SIX Instagram account a description of what they are, along with pictures of the items and our team will be in touch shortly to try and retrieve them and get them back to you.
“We also ask that anyone present that evening who is in need of free professional mental or emotional support, please get in touch.
“If any of you have any doubts, we WILL come back from this and we WILL be re-opening again as soon as we possibly can.
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“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your constant support.
“DM / ONE EIGHT SIX x”
Featured image: One Eight Six
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Manchester Museum saves a ‘national treasure’ to ensure it stays in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum has made a stunning new addition to its natural history collections, and in the process has ensured a ‘national treasure’ stays in the UK.
Not long after claiming the coveted title of European Museum of the Year for 2025, Manchester Museum has done it again – this time working together with John Rylands Library to acquire Henry Dresser’s unique personal copy of his anthology A History of the Birds of Europe so that this ‘invaluable resource’ can remain in the UK for future generations.
The beautifully-illustrated collection of books provide an important historical record to help understand how and why bird populations have changed over time.
Dresser’s personal copy is heavily-annotated with personal notes and observations.
These books are deemed to be of ‘outstanding significance’, not only for scientific purposes but also for their aesthetic value, as they have also been illustrated by some of the leading wildlife artists of the day.
The volumes were recognised as a national treasure by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, which is supported by the Arts Council, and this meant that the Government placed a temporary export deferral on them to allow time for UK buyers to raise the funds to keep them in the country.
Brilliantly, the acquisition of these books reunites them with Dresser’s own bird specimens that are already cared for by Manchester Museum, including species such as the Slender-billed curlew, which is now believed to be extinct.
The now-extinct species’ presence in both Dresser’s beautifully-annotated volumes and the ornithological collections at Manchester Museum highlights the vital role that historical records play in tracking biodiversity loss over time to uncover the long-term impact of environmental change.
Manchester Museum has saved a ‘national treasure’ to ensure it stays in the UK / Credit: Manchester Museum
“Threats to the natural world and biodiversity have never been greater and while this anthology has historical value, it also speaks to the urgent issues of the present,” commented Esme Ward, who is the Director of Manchester Museum.
“These books are breathtakingly beautiful, and by bringing them together with natural history collections, we believe they will not only provide scientific benefit, but also capture the hearts of future ornithologists and conservationists.”
A History of the Birds of Europe will be officially unveiled at a private view on Friday 27 June, before being displayed to the public for the first time in Manchester Museum’s ‘Living Worlds’ gallery from Saturday 28 June 2025 right through until Sunday 25 January 2026.
Following this, the books will be made accessible to researchers, students, and the wider public at the John Rylands Library.
Featured Image – Chris Bull (via Manchester Museum)
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Channel 4 to air exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater
Emily Sergeant
An exclusive new documentary taking an inside look at the the disappearance of Jay Slater is coming to Channel 4.
On the morning of 17 June 2024, 19-year-old Jay Slater – an apprentice bricklayer from the Lancashire town of Oswaldtwistle – disappeared on the island of Tenerife in Spain, after attempting to walk 14 hours back to his accommodation when there was no local taxi service available and no bus due for 90 minutes.
From then commenced one of the biggest missing persons cases in recent British history.
As the world’s media were following the story minute by minute last summer, producers at Channel 4 were in the incredibly-unique position where they had access to the Coronial process in Lancashire, and this has led to the exclusive documentary title The Disappearance of Jay Slater.
From Jay’s post-mortem to Jay’s inquest, the team have been with the family every step of the way over the last year, as they try and understand exactly what happened to Jay outside of the public gaze
Jay was ultimately pronounced dead on 15 July 2024 after Spanish police reported the discovery of a body in the vicinity of the area of interest, but before this discovery and eventual announcement, the internet became awash with public discourse, conspiracy theories, and more.
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is described as being ‘the family’s story’.
Channel 4 will air an exclusive new documentary about the disappearance and death of Lancashire teen Jay Slater / Credit: GoFundMe
The documentary is set to follow them as they search for answers about what happened to Jay, witnessing the conspiracy theories raging online and the subsequent horrific abuse they received as a family – which is an hourly onslaught that continues to this day.
These cameras were the only media in the world granted full access to film both Jay’s post-mortem and inside the church at his funeral.
But the broadcaster claims this documentary is not only the story of Jay’s tragedy, it’s also the story of ‘the new world we live in’ where so-called true crime armchair detectives run wild.
“The story of Jay Slater captured the nation last summer with a fervour and intensity fuelled by armchair detectives and internet culture,” commented Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, Rita Daniels, ahead of the documentary airing.
“We are so glad to be working on a sensitively handled exploration of the family’s experience, and understanding the impact of being in the middle of a social media storm, amplified by grief.
“The film holds a light up to our current society and is exactly the story that is a necessity for Channel 4 to tell.”
Executive Producer Anna Hall added: “It is appalling what has happened to Jay’s family, and we hope this film will help to bring awareness of the real life consequences of online speculation. It is an unmonitored world where fake news runs rife, and this film shows the devastating impact this has had on one grieving family.”
The Disappearance of Jay Slater is expected to air on Channel 4 later this year, but no official dates have been confirmed as of yet, so keep your eyes peeled.
Daisy Jackson -
6th January 2022 
