Manchester restaurant The Botanist has confirmed today that it will be closing early on Sunday night to give its staff the night offto watch the Euros.
Bosses at the group have confirmed today that as football is coming home, their staff should be going home to see it.
In response, numerous Botanist venues across Manchester will be shutting early on Sunday ahead of the 8pm Euro 2020 Final kick-off to allow hundreds of staff to watch England play Italy with friends and family.
Inside one of The Botanist restaurants / Image: The Botanist
Some venues in Manchester and Alderley are already fully booked for the football, so they will be staying open – namely The Oast House and The Botanist in Altrincham.
However, for the most part, all of The Botanist venues will close early on Sunday ready for staff to head home at 7.30pm.
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In Greater Manchester, Deansgate, MediaCity and Didsbury will all shut.
Throughout the day, guests can enjoy The Botanist’s botanical cocktails and kebabs whilst they count down to kick-off with the last booking on Sunday at 5:30pm – which will give them just under two hours at the table.
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The Botanist is known for its legendary hanging kebabs / Image: The Botanist
“Gareth Southgate has shown us all the value of teamwork in the past few weeks – and how every squad member is vital to being successful. That is why we are announcing we’ll be closing early on Sunday to allow as many of our staff as possible to watch the game,” said Matt Bamber, Operations Director for New World Trading Company who owns The Botanist.
“We still have a handful of sell-out sites showing the game in Alderley Edge, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Cardiff – we don’t want to be a jinx for any superstitious fans who’ve visited us for every game.
“We’re incredibly grateful to those staff that remain committed to working in this final game.”
The Botanist isn’t the only restaurant in Manchester to be doing this – in fact, quite a lot of venues in the city – including Sugo and Wood Fire Smoke – have been posting about implementing their own “self-imposed curfews” this Sunday ahead of the Euros 2020 final.
The Botanist will be open again as normal from Monday, 12th July – and you can check out their menus and opening times on their website here.
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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
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Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Georgina Pellant -
9th July 2021 
