One of Manchester’s most popular beer bars has confirmed its closure, leaving locals ‘gutted’.
Rumours have been swirling about the future of The Brink, which never reopened after lockdown, for months.
The subterranean drinking den on Bridge Street has now confirmed what many suspected – the bar won’t be returning.
In a post shared across social media, the team said they were ‘really sad’ about the closure.
The bar was famed for its selection of local real ale, only pouring beers that had been brewed within 25 miles of the bar itself.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Brink was hidden off street level on Bridge Street. Credit: Facebook, The Brink MCR
It also had renowned street artist Qubek paint a mural of bees on the stairs down to the venue.
The Brink has been largely silent on social media since the pandemic shuttered hospitality back in March 2020.
ADVERTISEMENT
Their last update was in June of that year, shortly before the first lockdown ended, where they wrote: “As we’ve heard this arvo, boozers are set to reopen. We don’t feel we can do what WE do, while social distancing is the guidance. Y’know us – Sociable and jovial AR.
“When we feel it’s safe for customers and staff, we’ll be back. Make no mistake. Until then, stay safe. BrinkSquad.”
But The Brink has now broken its silence, saying: “We know there’s been a bit of chatter recently, but we wanted to say hello and for this to come from us.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Now that we’re allowed to discuss matters, The Brink won’t be returning and we’re really sad about that.”
They went on to encourage their followers to share memories of the bar, writing: “We wanted to close our chapter remembering the beer we supped, the friends we made and the mischief caused ’neath 65 Bridge Street.
“We’re going to share some pics before the accounts close for good, so please join in with yours.
“Fancy a drink? I remember a place called The Brink.
“Stay jovial as fuck. BRINKSQUAD.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Hundreds have responded over the weekend lamenting the loss of the ‘perfect’ little bar, which first opened in 2016.
One person wrote: “Really sad to see The Brink close, easily my favourite pub in Manchester…OK who am I kidding my favourite pub full stop. All the best for the future guys.”
Another commented: “We loved The Brink, thanks for many many good nights. Good luck with whatever the future brings.”
Someone else shared: “Loved the warm welcome, good ale and the Manchester eggs I used to stash in my handbag for the end of the night.”
A fan of The Brink said: “I’m gutted about this. Was easily the best place for me in Manchester. Staff were always awesome. Steve was an amazing knowledgeable guy on the subject of beer.”
Over on Instagram, someone said: “My best memory of your place ( apart from the beer ) 2 mates and I me way more pissed than them emerged from the gas lamp walked across the road. . Somehow I convinced door staff I was fine ( my mates were ) I was leathered. Having conned their trust to gain entry I proceeded to fall from top to bottom of your stairs. Bonus was , got to spend the night in a great bar, drinking great ale!!!”
Another wrote: “A welcome break was a Thursday pie and a pint for lunch in the Brink. Sorry Covid killed a lovely venue off and hope you are all doing new enjoyable things that keep the wolf from the door. Bloody good job I left that job during lockdown wouldn’t be the same going back 🙂 Stay well guys.”
Featured image: Facebook, The Brink MCR
News
Beloved Danish lifestyle and home decor store Søstrene Grene to open new site in Stockport
Emily Sergeant
Stockport has been given the ‘Grene’ light, as a beloved Danish lifestyle and home decor brand is opening in the town’s centre.
Known for its contemporary – yet surprisingly affordable – home decor, furniture, and stylish lifestyle products, stepping foot inside a Søstrene Grene is store is arguably unlike any other experience on the high street, thanks to its unique layout and winding aisles making it feel like you’re discovering something new around every corner.
Founded in Aarhus in Denmark back in 1973 by Inger Grene and Knud Cresten Vaupell Olsen, Søstrene Grene – which translates as the ‘Green Sisters’ – is now led by Grene’s sons, Mikkel and Cresten Grene, making sure that while the brand continues to grow internationally, it still stays true to its family roots.
Søstrene Grene will be taking over a spacious 4590 sq ft unit formerly occupied by JD Sports inside Stockport‘s Merseyway Shopping Centre, and it’s already being described as an ‘exciting milestone’ moment for the Greater Manchester town.
Søstrene Grene will be opening a new site in Stockport / Credit: The Manc Group
Shoppers will be able to experience a signature immersive shopping experience when the brand opens in Stockport.
Think soft lighting, classical music, and a distinctive labyrinth-style layout designed to surprise and inspire at every turn – everything Søstrene Grene is known and loved for.
Central to Stockport’s £1bn regeneration plans, Merseyway is playing a key role in the town’s vision of a ‘thriving and vibrant’ town centre, and Søstrene Grene’s opening will be a huge part of that alongside other major projects including new cultural and creative space Stockroom, and the Merseyway Innovation Centre offering flexible working spaces and offices to support local businesses.
The beloved Danish lifestyle and home decor store is known for its affordable prices / Credit: The Manc Group
“We are looking very much forward to opening our first store in wonderful Stockport,” commented Søstrene Grene Group’s CEO, Mikkel Grene.
“This opening will further solidify our presence in Greater Manchester, where we already have many loyal customers. The location in Merseyway Shopping Centre is superb and this new store will be the first in the area to showcase our newest shopping concept where we have worked especially on evoking the visitors’ senses.
“We want our visitors to feel like entering a Søstrene Grene is like taking a break from an often-hectic everyday life and we cannot wait to spread this feeling amongst shoppers in Stockport.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
Government to ban overseas recruitment for the UK care sector
Emily Sergeant
The Government has announced its intentions to end overseas recruitment into the care sector across the UK.
It’s just one of the measures outlined in the Government’s Immigration White Paper, which was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Parliament today, and is aiming to ‘take action’ to bring down historically high levels of net migration.
According to the Home Office, care workers from overseas have made a ‘huge contribution’ to social care in the UK for several decades, but too many have been subject to shameful levels of abuse and exploitation.
Overseas workers in the sector arrived in the country to find themselves saddled with debt, treated unfairly, or in extreme cases, even discover the jobs they were promised did not exist.
Immigration has played a key role in the success of the UK and our services.
But we cannot ignore the facts.
The system does not work.
Care workers have been widely exploited through the immigration system which is why we are closing new applications from abroad.
More than 470 care providers had their licence to sponsor international staff suspended since 2022, the Home Office revealed this month – which is why the Government ultimately wants to ‘put an end’ to any more overseas recruitment.
The crackdown on ‘rogue care providers’, as the Government called them, has seen around 40,000 workers displaced, many of whom are ready to rejoin the workforce, and under the plans outlined today, it’s said that they will be given the opportunity to ‘do the jobs they were promised’, while long-term plans are drawn up to train homegrown talent into the care sector.
International workers who are already sponsored to work legally in the sector, however, will still be able to continue to extend their stay, change sponsors, and apply to settle.
The Government is banning overseas recruitment for the UK care sector / Credit: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street (via Flickr)
“Together, these measures will move the UK away from a dependence on overseas workers to fulfil our care needs,” the Government said in a statement.
Despite the plans announced today being received well by some, they have been met with some criticism from industry figures – with Care England describing it as a ‘crushing blow to an already fragile sector’.
“The Government is kicking us while we’re already down,” explained Professor Martin Green OBE, who is the Chief Executive of Care England.
“For years, the sector has been propping itself up with dwindling resources, rising costs, and mounting vacancies. International recruitment wasn’t a silver bullet, but it was a lifeline, and taking it away now, with no warning, no funding, and no alternative, is not just short-sighted, it’s cruel.”
Daisy Jackson -
21st March 2022 
