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)
News
Coronation Street and Emmerdale cancel filming after news of cutbacks and reduced schedule
Danny Jones
Coronation Street and Emmerdale production crews are said to have cancelled at least one day of filming this week following news of more cutbacks and a reduced schedule of programming.
The beloved British soaps have been up against it for some time now, with viewing figures and costs struggling at both ends of the spectrum, and the latest development doesn’t spell great news for the cast and crew, not to mention audiences.
According to Digital Spy, regularly scheduled filming was due to take place in Manchester and Leeds on Tuesday, 5 February, with each show shooting roughly six to eight weeks in advance of storylines.
However, following reports of more hits to the industry and the latest steps ITV, specifically, which will see fewer episodes of both Corrie and Emmerdale air each week, film crews are said to have been stood down as they await further updates.
Part of the Coronation Street set over in Salford Quays. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Announcing steps at the start of February, ITV confirmed that Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to see their content cut by an hour a week between them from next year.
While Corrie currently broadcasts three hour-long episodes per week and Emmerdale four half-hour episodes plus one full-hour instalment, the new slate will see both soaps dial back to only air 30-minute episodes, with a so-called ‘soaps power hour’ every both shows at 8pm and 8:30pm.
Put in simplest terms, viewers will have half an hour less of their regular soaps to watch overall each week but with episodes airing at more regular intervals, which the network claims is “viewer-led” and will allow fans to enjoy the shows “in the most digestible way.”
Metro writer Duncan Lindsay has labelled the decision as a tough one to make but something that could ultimately “save” the two long-standing soap operas in the long run.
On the other hand, this obviously means a big chunk of work being lost for those working on sets across the board, with ITV having already taken steps to cut costs ever since the pandemic, and the UK’s viewing public has given mixed reactions, to say the least.
The hour of scripted content saved from the overdue cut to Corrie and Emmerdale should be pumped into a new continuing drama. It’s the only way to justify the loss to the industry.
With an increased focus on streaming and making both shows more accessible, episodes will continue to be released from 7am on ITVX before airing on live telly later that evening.
Responding to the changes, the performing arts union Equity admitted that the steps do cause “further cause for concern”, especially following the cancellation of other soaps like Doctors and Hollyoaks also having recently seen its schedule adjusted.
It remains unclear when the respective cast and crews will return to filming.
What do you make of the cutbacks: will you miss the sum total of 60 minutes being shaved off your Corrie and Emmerdale catch-ups, or do you think it’s a bittersweet step that could help freshen up the format and sustain it for years to come?
Already being described as “the ultimate African safari experience right here in the UK”, some of the lodges will be located at the side of a lake, while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat that are home to Northern giraffes.
Bookings officially went live last Wednesday (29 January), and demand was “nothing short of phenomenal”, with the website crashing for a brief period and more than 550 bookings made so far.
But merely moments after this, people began hitting out at the prices for overnight stays.
Those working on the “very special” project say a stay at The Reserve will help to fund Chester Zoo’s global conservation projects.
Chester Zoo has issued a statement after people slammed the ‘totally ridiculous’ prices for safari-style lodges / Credit: Supplied
In the off-season, prices for the lodges start from £375, while one-night stays in summer start from £672.50, and then in peak season, for the more luxurious lodges, prices can go all the way up to £2,486, but it’s worth nothing that this does include guided safari tours and going behind-the-scenes with the giraffes.
“As an international wildlife charity we wholly rely on public funding to carry out our species-saving work,” a Chester Zoo spokesperson said in defence of the pricing.
“The Reserve is the latest way that people may wish to help to directly fund our global conservation projects and make a difference to the future of some amazing, but sadly endangered, species.
“A stay at The Reserve includes so much more than a room for the night.
“Packages include elements such as a range of exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, breakfast, dinner and out-of-hours access to the zoo, as well as two-day passes and the chance to view wildlife straight from your lodge balcony.”
Find out more and book your stay in the new lodges on the Chester Zoo website here.
The Manc -
6th August 2021 
