There has been a spate of sudden temporary restaurant closures in Manchester this week as Covid-19 once again wreaks havoc on hospitality.
Some of the city’s most well-known venues have decided to shut their doors earlier than planned.
Many businesses are struggling to operate after staff members have tested positive for coronavirus, while others are battling with the drop in trade caused by the spread of the Omicron variant.
It’s left many our city’s bars and restaurants operating at a loss at what should be their busiest time of year.
Credit: Facebook, The Sparrows
And now many have decided to call it a day until the new year.
Posting that the ‘Big C has cancelled Xmas’, renowned Green Quarter restaurant The Sparrows wrote: “Sadly due to members of staff testing positive for Covid -19 we are making a decision to close The Sparrows until 1st of January 2022.
“We are very sorry to cause any inconvenience to anyone’s festive plans, but customers’ safety and our team’s wellbeing are the priority.
“For the Love for Spätzle we will be looking forward to seeing you all in a New Year! Please stay safe! Take care of yourselves and the ones around you this Christmas.”
Credit: Instagram @iscawines
Independent wine bar Isca, in Levenshulme, has also had to switch up its offering in a bid to keep its team Covid-free for Christmas.
They wrote: “As the madness returns and grows around us we have decided to close Isca for sitting in until next year.
“We are doing all we can to keep everyone safe, and want our team to be able to enjoy Christmas without catching Covid.”
They later added: “It really saddens us to not be able serve you some delicious wines + food at Isca in the run up to Christmas but we think it’s for the best in our small space.”
The Stockport Road bar remains open as a takeaway and as a shop, selling wine, gifts and cheeses.
Credit: Dust Dogs MCR
Back in the city centre, Northern Soul’s new hot dog venture Dust Dogs has had to shut temporarily just weeks after it launched.
They said it was down to ‘current Covid news, staffing issues and a short Christmas week’, promising to be back 2022 ‘bigger, better and proper’.
A separate post highlighed the struggles facing hospitality right now.
They wrote: “F*** I WE WISH WE COULD BE OPEN !!
“We should be absolutely flying in the new place but the reality is, hospitality has been hit for 60% of lost trade.
“It turns out we made the right decision, too many factors at play to push the last week.”
Kala, part of Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros empire, won’t be reopening until after Christmas either, saying that it has ‘too many staff isolating’.
Student favourite The Font is facing a similar situation after a positive Covid case in its team, saying that the decision to close early ‘wasn’t taken lightly but is the best one as the physical & mental wellbeing of our team & customers is priority’.
Enormous Swan Street venue Ramona has closed its kitchens and reverted to a drinks-only venue as it winds down for the Christmas break.
They said: “Due to everything that’s going on at the moment and to keep all our team and guests as safe as we can, we will be offering bar / drinks service only until midnight on 23rd December.
“Pizza From Detroit will return as soon as we can and we’ll let you know on here first of all. Sorry to everyone who was coming to eat with us.
Featured image: Instagram, @kala_bistro_manchester
News
Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later this year
Thomas Melia
There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.
Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough about to host a comedy festival for the first time ever later this year, as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
The lineup features some well-renowned names in the comedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.
You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller.
There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Tez Ilyaz and Lou Conran are just two of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.
If you’re after pursuing a comedy career of your own, you’re in luck as, The Frog and Bucket performer Dave Williams will be on hand to teach you some of the skills he’s learnt after 25 years in comedy.
“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Mick Miller / Credit: Supplied
“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.”
So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficianado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days this September and October.
Rochdale Comedy Festival is taking place from 26 September through to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough- with tickets soon to be releasedHERE.
Featured Images – Supplied (via Publicity Pictures) / Unsplash
News
Salford bus driver arrested for causing serious injury by careless driving after crashing into bridge
Emily Sergeant
The driver of a double decker bus that crashed into a bridge in Salford, ripping the roof off and injuring more than a dozen passengers in the process, has been arrested.
Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Serious Collision Investigation Unit have launched an investigation into the serious road traffic collision between a bus and the Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct on Barton Lane in Salford, which happened at around 3pm yesterday (Monday 21 July), and are now appealing to the public for information and witnesses.
According to police, it is believed that the bus had come off its normal expected route and the driver then failed to comply with height restriction warnings, before subsequently colliding with a low-level aqueduct.
As a result, the top level of the bus was torn off and even caused member of the public to be ejected from the top deck of the bus.
Bridgewater Canal Aqueduct in Eccles, where the incident happened / Credit: Google Maps
The driver of the bus – a man in his 50s – was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving, GMP has been confirmed.
The driver has since been bailed pending further investigations.
During the incident, three people – a 19-year-old female, and two men, one is his 20s and another in his 40s – sustained serious injuries, and currently remain in hospital in a stable condition, while 17 other casualties were also treated at the scene for injuries that are described as ‘non-life threatening or life-changing’.
#APPEAL | Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal for witnesses following RTC on Barton Lane in #Salford which has left 3 people seriously injured
The bus driver – a man in his 50s – was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving. pic.twitter.com/adppSAOS9S
With investigations ongoing, as mentioned, investigating officers are now appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.
They are also keen to speak to anyone who may have any footage – including dashcam, mobile phone or doorbell footage – from the area in the moments leading up to the collision.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 2226 of 21/07/2025, or being using the LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd December 2021 
