The friends of a missing Salford pub landlord have issued a public appeal for information on his whereabouts.
56-year-old Georg Czysch was last seen walking out of The Showboat pub on Hall Street in Swinton, Salford at 7.50am in the morning on Thursday 29 July.
He hasn’t been seen since.
Worried friends explained that Georg – who was born in Germany – lives alone in a flat above the popular community pub and has been the landlord there for around two years, but on the morning of 29 July, he left behind his mobile phone, wallet, credit cards, watch and passport – as well as his two beloved dogs.
Georg was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark green hoodie.
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He is not thought to have any family in the country and also takes medication for a heart condition – which his friends also found in the flat.
His disappearance has been reported to Greater Manchester Police.
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56-year-old Georg Czysch is the landlord of The Showboat pub in Swinton / Credit: Google Maps
Speaking to the MEN about the 56-year-old’s disappearance, close friend Thomas Mitchell said: “This is so out of character for Georg.
“I have known him for at least 10 years, others have for longer, and he has never just walked out of anywhere before. He has always been a straight talking guy, funny and genuine [and] he would do everything he could to help a person in need.
“I know Georg has struggled during the pandemic, not being able to open his pub or see friends, but this is so out of character [as] he loves his dogs and to leave them behind is not him.
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“He’s loved and respected by all who know him and we just need to know he’s safe and well.”
Another close friend of Georg’s, Luke Martin – 26, from Rochdale – said Georg used to run the Middleton Archer pub in Middleton and the New Road Inn in Blackpool, adding: “He has been running pubs over here for around 15 years [so] there is quite a lot of concern and a lot of worried people.
“I saw him two days before he went missing and everything was fine.”
Georg was last seen heading in the direction of Swinton Railway Station at 7:50am on Thursday 29 July / Credit: Facebook (Georg Czysch)
Luke continued: “On the Thursday, his ex-partner and a cleaner went to the pub and it was unlocked [but] they carried on working [until they] realised that he was not there. All the CCTV shows is a figure which looks like Georg with his hood up walking out of the pub at 7.50am.”
Luke said Georg headed in the direction of Swinton Railway Station on Station Road, adding: “There has been no contact with anyone since [so] his close friends have all said it’s completely out of the ordinary.
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“People are worried about him and just want to know he’s safe.”
Georg is believed to have connections with Aberdeenshire in Scotland, Blackpool and Scarborough.
Anyone with information can call police on 101, quoting log reference number 622 03/08/2021.
Featured Image – Facebook (Georg Czysch)
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Passengers thanked for their ‘patience’ as Manchester Piccadilly reopens after £7.9m upgrade
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Piccadilly has now officially reopened after a nine-day closure.
In case you hadn’t heard, Manchester Piccadilly train station closed on Saturday 14 February while a ‘once-in-a-generation upgrade’ was carried out – with very few train services running in or out of the station in the process, and as you’d expect, widespread disruption caused for those travelling around the region.
But thankfully now, after many journeys were impacted for those travelling to and from major destinations like Manchester Airport, and on the West Coast Mainline, the station is now back up and running.
The public are being thanked for their ‘patience’ while the the journey-improving work was carried out this past week.
Network Rail invested £7.9m into the major upgrade, with the main points of action being to improve tracks, points, and signalling systems on the southern approach to Manchester Piccadilly station.
🎥VIDEO UPDATE🛤️
👷🏼♂️Teams are carrying out final inspections after a 9-day closure for £7.9m track upgrades at Piccadilly 🔧
🏗️Trains will run from 5am tomorrow🚆
‼️Follow up work is needed on Sun 1 and Sun 22 March – please check @nationalrailenq🙏
Teams worked to replace 11 sets of points, renew timber sleepers with modern, concrete equivalents, and also bring lineside equipment ‘bang up to date’ across six lines to improve future journeys for passengers and freight.
Investment in this apparent ‘critical stretch’ of track had been long awaited, as any issues with the ageing infrastructure could’ve disrupted all trains running in and out of Manchester.
The closure also resulted in what was said to be one of the largest rail replacement bus operations the city has seen in recent memory, with a total of 8,922 services running over the course of the nine days to keep passengers on the move.
Manchester Piccadilly has now reopened to the public after its £7.9m upgrade / Credit: Network Rail
“We would like to say a big thank you to passengers for their patience while this once-in-a-generation upgrade has taken place over the last nine days,” commented Brian Paynter, who is the Capital Delivery track director at Network Rail.
“Manchester Piccadilly is one of the country’s busiest stations and it’s a key hub for people travelling to the North West.
“Upgrading the track over six lines in what’s known as the Piccadilly corridor will make journeys more reliable and the points and signalling systems less prone to faults – meaning fewer delays for passengers. It’s all part of our long-term commitment to invest millions of pounds to make the North West’s railway fit for the future.”
Unfortunately thought, the disruption doesn’t quite end there, as this coming Sunday 1 March, and then again on Sunday 22 March, routine follow-up work will take place to secure the new railway foundation stone through a process called tamping.
This will impact trains until passed midday, with passengers advised to check online ahead of time if planning travel on those dates.
Featured Image – Network Rail
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PinkPantheress named the youngest ever recipient of the BRIT Awards 2026 Producer of the Year Award
Clementine Hall
The BRIT Awards 2026 has announced that multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter and producer PinkPantheress is the recipient of this year’s Producer of the Year Award.
The award is decided by a group of expert judges from the music production sector, and has previously been presented to an incredibly selection of British producers including Paul Epworth, Calvin Harris, Fred again.., and last year’s winner, A. G. Cook.
At just 24 years old, PinkPantheress will be the youngest ever recipient of this coveted award, which recognises the excellence of her work in music production.
She is also the first woman to be presented with the honour.
As well as taking home Producer of the Year, PinkPantheress is also nominated for two further awards, for Artist of the Year and Dance Act.
The BRIT Awards are coming to Manchester for the first time in its history in 2026 / Credit: ITV / BRITs / Co-op Live
PinkPantheress spoke about winning the award: “As the first woman to win this award, I’m grateful to be recognised. My music production is the thing I’m proudest of, and I’ve worked really hard at it, so I hope this inspires others to pursue their passion.”
Stacey Tang, Chair of the 2026 BRIT Awards Committee and Co-President of RCA Records at Sony Music UK said: “PinkPantheress is both an inventive and instinctive voice in British pop right now. As a producer, she’s precise and playful, building bold, boundary expanding sounds that travel beyond the UK.
“She’s quietly reshaping what modern pop can be, and in doing so, opening the door for a new wave of female producers to step forward. Celebrating her at the BRITs is both timely and significant.”
The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard will take place on Saturday 28 February from Manchester’s Co-op Live, and audiences at home can watch on ITV live or stream later on ITVX.
Comedian and actor Jack Whitehall will return to presenting duties in 2026 – his sixth time hosting the show.
This year’s incredible line-up of artists include Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR/X, Wolf Alice, Mark Ronson, ROSALÍA, Alex Warren and SOMBR.