Tributes have poured in after the death of Star and Garter’s beloved doorman Ian ‘Strawboss’ Garner following his tragic death.
The much-loved bouncer passed away on Monday 22 May after suffering a stroke in November last year, leaving friends, musicians and regulars devastated by the loss.
Described as being “from a generation of people who didn’t want to retire and put his feet up”, although Ian may not have looked a day over 65 he would have turned 80 in June of next year. As a result, he could – by all accounts – “tell you a story about every pub in the centre of Manchester.”
According to Star and Garter manager Andy Martin Ian was “the most selfless, generous, caring, intelligent, healthy man you could ever wish to meet”.
He told The Manc: “Ian Garner could tell you a story about every pub in the centre of Manchester, sometimes because he had worked there (The Swan With Two Necks) or because he’d fixed or improved the building (The Bulls Head).
“Whatever the case, he has seen almost all of them close, more so in recent years, but the Star and Garter was always special to him, primarily because it was his local when he was the live-in manager of Arthur Donnelly’s yard at what is now the kids play area of Mayfield Park.
“The Star and Garter closed in 1987 and reopened under new ownership in 1991. In order to obtain a late licence as part of the plan to turn it into a live music venue, a fire escape had to be fitted to the building. Ian happened to have one going spare from a demolition job he had worked on and was happy to let the new owner buy it.
Image: The Star and Garter
Image: The Star and Garter
“It was during the construction of said fire escape that Ian was nicknamed ‘Strawboss’ which has a few definitions but in Ian’s case was very fitting – “a member of a group of workers who supervises the work of the others in addition to doing his or her own job”.
“Ian Strawboss was from a generation of people who didn’t want to retire and put his feet up. Ian was only happy when he had a project or two on the go.
“The Star and Garter owes the ability to carry on trading to Ian for fixing everything from damp in the cellar to the roof and gutters. His knowledge of local history was equal to his knowledge of world history.
“He could fix anything or work out a plan to fix a problem – we would describe him as The Oracle to strangers. Ian was the most selfless, generous, caring, intelligent, healthy man you could ever wish to meet and one Sunday in November 2022 it was all switched off by a stroke.
“We hoped he would recover enough to return home and have us help to look after him but although he may not have looked a day over 65, (he would have turned 80 in June 2024) his age counted against his recovery and despite making progress with his speech and movement it became too big an ask of him. In the end his health deteriorated to the point where he could barely move or speak.
Image: The Star and Garter
Image: The Star and Garter
“He wasn’t happy, he described himself as a bed blocker and thought he was a burden. He longed to go home and drive his beloved classic MG soft top (his pride and joy since the early 80s). He had a list of things to fix at the Star and Garter and wanted to finish them.
“He was in a lot of pain, bedridden and just a shell of the man people remembered. In his final weeks he became quite the celebrity at his care home due to the number of visitors he had every day and everyone who visited shared the opinion that he really didn’t deserve any of what had happened to him.
“During one of his final visits he told us he was ready to go and asked us to never forget him, he then told us the care home would be discharging him within a fortnight. Even at the end he kept his dry wit. He wasn’t immortal like we thought he was and he wasn’t aware of how high a regard people literally worldwide held him in.
“The Facebook posts are testament to that. He. Strawboss won’t be forgotten – there will always be reminders of how important he was in every room on every floor of the Star and Garter.”
Many people have taken to social media to pay tribute to Ian, remembering his ‘beautiful’ and ‘welcoming’ nature after The Star and Garter announced his death on its Facebook page at the start of the week.
In a post that has been liked over 700 times and received more than 150 comments, each tribute tells the tale of a man who was well-loved by the community.
Ian Jones, Editor at local publisher Creative Tourist, wrote: “One of the most likeable and generous people I met out of the many amazing people I knew through the S&G. He was everyone’s grandad and always kept a watchful eye out for us, in the best possible way. He was an ever-present, vital part of my favourite place, and the outpouring of emotion here says everything. RIP big man.”
Music producer and DJ Andy Woods wrote: “It really is with mixed emotions that I write this – so very sad Ian’s gone but also grateful he’s no longer in a state I know would’ve frustrated him, being the vigorous character he was. He’d often come up and ask me what a particular song was or tell me he’d found himself singing it in the week between Smile’s. His particular favourite was the German language version of Kraftwerk’s The Model, Das Model, as Vicky Walker states, and I remember making him a copy of it after he asked me one night.
“He’ll NEVER be forgotten by anyone who ever had a conversation with him and his range of knowledge was astounding as can be seen from the comments here – his subjects for me were the grand prix, his Sunday afternoon’s out in town, railway tunnels plus other engineering wonders and of course Denton ! And as the main post reflects, his contribution to the physical preservation of the building is an amazing legacy to leave behind. Condolences to family, friends and all those customers that will never forget his gigantic presence …….a big, big love xxxx ”
A precious jewel left this world today. I hope he knew the beautiful impact he had on every one of us. Rest In Peace Ian ❤️ greatest doorman that ever was. We will never forget you, of that I promise. Until I see you again, I’ll wear that badge you got me. Your Julie x pic.twitter.com/OGknPQFzSp
Following his death, the award-winning writer and broadcaster Julie Hamill took to Twitter to describe Ian as a ‘precious jewel’, writing: “A precious jewel left this world today. I hope he knew the beautiful impact he had on every one of us. Rest In Peace Ian. Greatest doorman that ever was. We will never forget you, of that I promise. Until I see you again, I’ll wear that badge you got me. Your Julie x”
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Manchester music promoter Sophie Bea took to Facebook to say she would always remember Ian’s lovely stories, writing that she was ‘heartbroken’ by the news of his passing and that ‘he was always so pleased to see us’.
Music collector and devotee Stefan Kris wrote on Twitter: “That’s very sad news, Rest in peace Ian and thanks for always making me feel welcomed.”
Featured image – The Star and Garter
News
A local carpet company has ranked the top 10 Wetherspoons pub carpets in Manchester
Thomas Melia
One carpet company has compiled a list which ranks all of the Greater Manchester Wetherspoons’ locations based solely on their carpets.
Might they have too much time on their hands? Maybe? Do we care? Not one bit.
If you didn’t know already, this pub chain is famed for its reasonably priced drinks, both cheap small and big plates (usually decorated with some kind of garish pattern), and the ability to convert old cinemas, halls, churches and pretty much anything into a boozer.
But there’s also one key ingredient that makes each ‘Spoons’ special that goes over most people’s heads, or rather right under their fight: it’s the funky, unique and individually-designed carpets.
This attention to detail caught the eye of writer and publisher, Kit Caless, who launched a blog and social media account dedicated entirely to archiving these fascinating floor coverings, quite simply titled ‘Wetherspoons Carpets’.
Local carpet shop, Urmston Carpets, understands the importance of these fluffy floor patterns too and recently released a list ranking all Manchester’s Wetherspoons locations based on how many likes they received – again, the classification being driven by the carpeting.
There’s 35 pub chain sites throughout the Greater Manchester region, and nine of these can be found in Manchester city centre, although none of these pubs nabbed the top spot or even the top 10.
In fact, the borough which finds itself having some of the most liked Wetherspoons’ carpets according to the Instagram pages likes is Trafford, with three venues, closely followed by Rochdale with two.
Eccles Cross landed the number 10 spot, a pub which has a carpet full of alternating blue-and-gold-toned intertwining squares, receiving a total of 65 likes.
Next is The Unicorn, with its deep-red floral printed flooring, amassing 70 likes and a post with quietly one of the best hashtags ever invented: “#altrinchtothat”, paying homage to the area where this pub resides, Altrincham. Top notch.
Castle in the Air, attached to indoor slope attraction Chill Factore over in Trafford, has 75 likes, and although the carpet design is very fitting with its mountain-inspired landscape, the comment section isn’t too impressed…
Yes, people take this random passion project just as seriously as its creator.
Right in the heart of Oldham town centre is The Up Steps Inn, which finishes as the seventh most-liked Wetherspoons carpet in all of Greater Manchester, with 82 people giving this beige vine-covered floor a double tap or two.
Just missing out on the top five is Ashton’s local Wetherspoons, aptly named The Ash Tree, with a bonfire-esque design with a variation of bright orange, grey and black tones, which amassed 86 likes.
Off to Chorlton-cum-Hardy next, where the top five kicks off with a combined 87 likes for The Sedge Lynn – famously beloved for its striking tiled exterior – thanks to its peach and red floral artwork adorning a blank black canvas, one fan describes it as “Very strong. Royal even”.
In fourth place is one of Stretford’s go-to Man United pubs: The Bishop Blaize. It collected 88 likes across two posts, and we can definitely see why with its funky and very swirly carpet, which probably would’ve been a dress pattern in the 60s.
Grabbing the bronze podium position is The Mardi Gras, Trafford’s third contribution to the top 10, with its New Orleans-cum-Trafford Centre Wetherspoons, boasting 92 likes.
Scoring the silver medal is the Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale and its trusty ‘Spoons location, The Regal Moon, which has been liked 99 times; the carpet may be dashing, but it’s the piano man above the bar who steals the show.
Now, are you ready to see who took home the gold?
Reigning victorious with a whopping 104 likes is the mighty Middleton Wetherspoons, The Harbord Harbord, with its wave-inspired warm-toned carpet; a massive pat on the back for this boozer from everyone on the internet – well, at least those in this particular corner, anyway.
The top 10 most liked Wetherspoons carpets in Manchester
The Harbord Harbord – Middleton, 104 likes
The Regal Moon – Rochdale, 99 likes
The Mardi Gras – Trafford Centre, 92 likes
The Bishop Blaize – Stretford, 88 likes
The Sedge Lynn – Chorlton-cum-Hardy, 87 likes
The Ash Tree – Ashton-under-Lyne, 86 likes
The Up Steps Inn – Oldham, 82 likes
Castle in the Air – Trafford, Chill Factore, 75 likes
The Unicorn – Altrincham, 70 likes
Eccles Cross – Eccles, 65 likes
If you’re questioning the accuracy of this ranking, don’t worry, you’re in safe hands as this flooring store is only a one-minute radius away from The Tim Bobbin on Flixton Road, so they definitely know their way around a good ‘Spoons.
Adrian Brown ofUrmston Carpetsprovided the following advice for homeowners looking to recreate: “While Wetherspoons carpets have become something of a design icon, it’s important to remember that pub carpets are made very differently than what you’d typically find in a home.
“Commercial carpets are designed to handle thousands of footsteps a day, resist spills, and stand up to regular deep cleaning. They’re built for durability first.
“If you’re trying to recreate the look at home, choosing a patterned carpet, you’ll need to find a balance between visual impact and practicality.”
Manchester to fall silent today to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day
Emily Sergeant
Manchester will mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ Day) with a poignant ceremony at the city’s Cenotaph today.
While VE Day in May 1945 signified the end of World War II in Europe, thousands of British, Commonwealth, and Allied troops continued to fight in Asia and the Pacific – but VJ Day, which was declared on 15 August 1945, brought a final end to the global conflict.
The day remains a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of those who fought for freedom, and Manchester‘s commemorations today will aim to honour their courage, resilience, and sacrifice.
The event will bring together veterans, civic leaders, cadets, and members of the public in a shared moment of reflection and gratitude.
This year’s commemorations in the city centre will begin at 11:50am.
15 August 1945 marked Victory over Japan.
Join us tomorrow at 11:40am at the Cenotaph to commemorate the 80th anniversary of WWII in the Far East and honour those who served🫡
A two minute silence will be held at 12 noon, marked by a maroon.
Commemorations will start with opening remarks from The Very Reverend Rogers Govender, followed by a solemn programme of remembrance.
The service will begin at 11:58am with The Exhortation recited by Brigadier AG Ross OBE, followed by The Last Post sounded by WO2 Nick Burroughs, and then at midday, a national two-minute silence will be observed – which will be marked by the firing of a maroon.
Brigadier Ross will then recite the Kohima Epitaph, leading into the wreath laying ceremony featuring cadets from the Manchester Trafalgar Unit Sea Cadets, and the Lord Mayor of Manchester.
The service will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem.
Manchester to fall silent today to mark 80th anniversary of VJ Day / Credit: Manchester City Council
Iconic buildings and landmarks in Manchester, including the Manchester Civic Quarter Heat Network (CQHN) tower, will illuminate their facades from 9pm tonight to honour VJ Day.
“Today, Manchester stands united in remembrance and respect,” commented Councillor Carmine Grimshaw, who is the Lord Mayor of Manchester. “The 80th anniversary of VJ Day is not only a tribute to those who served and sacrificed, but also a celebration of peace and resilience.
Georgina Pellant -
24th May 2023 
