Gary Neville to restore historic Manchester pub after locals fought to save it
Initial plans intended to demolish the pub, but after a hard-fought campaign the backstreet Georgian boozer is now set to be restored to its former glory
Gary Neville’s team will restore the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub as part of its new £400m St Michael’s development, it has been confirmed, after locals fought to stop the centuries-old boozer from being demolished.
The historic pub, located between Jackson’s Row and Bootle Street, in Manchester, dates back to the 1800s and was considered at risk in the early planning stages of the St Michael’s development.
Back in 2016, a group of locals fought hard against Manchester City Council’s Regeneration Team and developers to keep the pub – launching a Change.org petition to save it that amassed over 5,000 signatures.
At the time, they argued: “Developers have indicated their intention to demolish the pub with a new building proposed for this site.
“Rather than lose a piece of Manchester history, they could easily accommodate the existing building into the plans. We’ve lost enough historic buildings to be replaced by steel & glass boxes. It’s time we fought to keep our history.”
Now, their wish is finally about to be granted as the former Man United star has confirmed not only will his team retain the pub – but will actively work to restore it to its former glory.
Image: The Abercromby
Named after a British soldier, politician, and colonialist, the Sir Ralph Abercromby is one of the city’s last remaining structures from the Peterloo era.
It is one of Manchester’s rare remaining Georgian buildings, and, along with the Friends Meeting House, is one of the last witnesses of the 1819 massacre considered a vital stepping stone towards the British democracy we value today.
It was in this very boozer that protesters would have discussed the rising cost of living and the state of falling workers’ pay, as starvation ran riot amongst hard-working but politically unrepresented local weavers and spinners.
And it was also here, on that fateful day in 1819, that the injured were carried back and nursed after an estimated 700+ were hurt by cavalry charging into a protest simply asking for the reform of parliamentary representation.
The tiny pub, one of the few original structures remaining in the area, will likely be dwarfed by the new tower but encompassed in the overall St Michael’s vision.
Image: The Abercromby
Also included in the plans for St Michael’s – 15 years in the making – are a 41-storey skyscraper, a rooftop restaurant, and a 162-bed 5 Star international hotel.
That’s not to mention the 217 luxury residences, which go on sale after summer as part of a joint venture between Relentless Developments and property developer, Salboy.
The tiny pub, one of the few structures remaining in the area from the time of the Peterloo Massacre, will be dwarfed by the new tower but encompassed in the overall St Michael’s vision – sitting by itself in a new public square.
Chester Zoo’s viral new snow leopard cub ventures outside for the first time
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo’s adorable baby snow leopard who went viral last week could very well be about to go viral again.
That’s because new footage of it venturing outside for the first time have been released.
After arriving to first-time parents Nubra and Yashin, who are both three-years-old, last month (10 June 2025), keepers at Chester Zoo said mum and cub had mostly spent their time quietly tucked away in a cosy den, away from the eyes of the onlooking public – but now, it’s time for the little one to see what the outside world is all about.
Now, at seven-weeks old, the cub has gained in strength and confidence, and experts expected that it could venture outside at ‘any moment’.
Zookeepers are still yet to confirm the sex of the cub, and will be able to do soon once it has undergone its first health check-up with the vets.
We can also expect to hear one the little one’s name is very soon too.
If you’re unfamiliar with snow leopards, they are classed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and it’s believed there are as few as 4,000 now remaining in the wild.
Nicknamed the ‘ghosts of the mountains’, these elusive – but adorable – big cats are found in the rugged, remote regions of Central Asia and the Himalayas – but sadly, despite being known for living in desolate, harsh environments, they continue to face threats from habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and retaliatory killings by farmers.
Chester Zoo’s viral new snow leopard cub ventures outside for the first time / Credit: Chester Zoo
The cub’s birth follows the opening of Chester Zoo’s Himalayan habitat in May 2024, which is a vast, rocky environment that authentically recreates the mountainous terrain of Central Asia.
“This is the first snow leopard cub to be born at Chester Zoo,” commented Dave Hall, who is the Team Manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo, last week when the adorable hidden den cam footage was first released to the public.
“It’s a truly historic moment and a real cause for celebration – not just for our teams here, but also for the future of this magnificent species globally.”
Although it’s still early days, carnivore experts at the zoo say Nubra is showing ‘excellent maternal instincts’ by nursing her new arrival every few hours and always keeping close by.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
News
Rochdale man, 20, found guilty of assaulting police officers and the public at Manchester Airport
Emily Sergeant
A man from Rochdale has been found guilty of assaulting a man and two female police officers at Manchester Airport last year.
20-year-old Mohammed Fahir Amaaz has been convicted of common assault and two counts of actual bodily harm following a four-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court in relation to a high-profile incident that took place at Manchester Airport on 23 July 2024.
The first attack on the member of public – of which extensive footage of was shared with the court over the course of the trail – took place in a largely public area of the Airport, but despite claims made to the contrary, Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) investigation found no evidence of any ‘prior threatening’ or ‘unacceptable behaviour’ by the victim aimed towards Amaaz or his family.
Three GMP officers – one male and two female – responded to the initial assault, and as they proceeded to detain and arrest Amaaz at the Terminal 2 car park pay station for assault, they suffered a number of injuries – such as concussion, a broken nose, and bruising and swelling.
CCTV played to the jury during the trail showed Amaaz throwing 10 punches, two ‘elbow strikes’, and one kick in what was described as a ‘prolonged and violent’ attack.
This conviction follows a thorough investigation of all available footage to understand the full context to the incident.
Our officers have been supported throughout and continue to be supported.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 30, 2025
An investigation, led by a team from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, was subsequently launched following the incident.
Police were said to have worked ‘diligently and expediently’ through all the moving footage, including CCTV and body worn camera recordings, complemented by the testimonies of witnesses to the incident, which allowed them to present a clear and accurate picture of the facts of the events to the jury.
A jury convicted Amaaz of assaults on the two female officers, but a decision is still inconclusive regarding the incident with the male police officer.
GMP now says it will be working with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in support of a re-trial for these inconclusive counts.
A CCTV image of the brawl in action / Credit: CPS
“Whilst assaults on police officers are sadly not uncommon, such attacks can never be justified,” commented Sir Stephen Watson, who is the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, following the trial.
“Our officers are decent people who routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect the public, and they deserve our respect and support.
“I am particularly grateful to those many members of the public who have contacted the force in order to pass on their best wishes to the officers affected.”
Georgina Pellant -
28th July 2023 
