News

‘Hidden gem’ Chorlton favourite The Globe announces permanent closure

It's not all bad news, though, as owner Laura has vowed to carry on with the catering arm of the business.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 20th July 2022

Chorlton’s popular restaurant and bar The Globe has announced it will be shutting its doors for good at the end of the month.

In an emotional post shared to a local Facebook community group last night, owner Laura Addison, who has run the business for the past five years, wrote that she had come to the decision with a “very heavy heart”.

Citing “all the adverse conditions that have faced hospitality” in the last few years, she said that the culmination of events had taken its toll – not just on the business but also on her personally “as a first time solo business owner.” 

Image: The Globe Chorlton

Adding that it had been “a honour to serve this brilliant community over the last 5 years”, she continued: 

“Please don’t be a stranger and pop in and leave your contact information so we can keep in touch. 

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“I have made so many great customers but more importantly great friends through running Globe & I hope the friendship can continue […] Thank you for all your custom over the last five years, it has been thoroughly appreciated.” 

Image: THe Globe Chorlton

Sharing her planned opening times for the next fortnight, she confirmed that The Globe’s last day of trading would be on Saturday 30 July – adding that they will be operating with a skeleton staff and so will not be offering the main menu on Sunday afternoons. 

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However, it’s not all bad news – as Laura has vowed to carry on with the catering arm of the business, and asked for those who have supported her over the years to “keep us in mind for any event you will hold in the future.” 

Commenting on the post, one person said: “Be proud of what a great place Globe is. So sorry to hear it is closing down. Always had a great meal and fun time there.”

Persian braised beef brisket on paratha with crispy fried eggs, / Image: THe Globe Chorlton

Another said: “So so sorry to read this!! You were a fantastic addition to Chorlton. I have enjoyed many delicious meals with family and friends at your restaurant .Wishing your catering business all the very best.”

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A third added: “Really sad news. Possibly the best breakfast in Chorlton. All the best for your future ventures.”

The well-loved neighbourhood restaurant and bar, which has long described itself as a ‘world kitchen with cocktails’, has been a fixture on Barlow Moor Road for years serving up a mixture of dishes inspired by Laura’s travels – spanning everywhere from Mexico to Japan.

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It has also been something of a local weekend brunch favourite, with regulars praising its global options like breakfast nachos and Persian braised beef brisket and crispy fried eggs, alongside açai bowls, churros and classic English favourites. 

Described as a ‘hidden gem’ by visitors, it has had consistently good reviews over the years and is sure to be missed when it closes at the end of the month.

Image – Facebook

News

Manchester palaeontologist unearths bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A Manchester-based palaeontologist has unearthed the bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile.

This new identification is a crucial part of a fascinating eight-year long discovery journey.

It all started when a seasoned fossil collector named Paul de la Salle found a giant jawbone on Lilstock Beach, near Bridgewater in Somerset, back in May 2016, and then father and daughter, Justin and Ruby Reynolds from Devon, found the first pieces of a second jawbone and another giant bone while searching for fossils on the beach at Blue Anchor, also in Somerset, in May 2020.

And now, a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester (UoM) Dr Dean Lomax, has identified the fossilised remains of the second gigantic jawbone that measures more than two metres long.

Experts have identified these bones as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur – which is a type of prehistoric marine reptile – and astonishing estimations suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25-metres long.

Dr Lomax has been working together with Justin and Ruby Reynolds, along with Paul de la Salle and several family members, since the father-daughter duo first contacted them about their groundbreaking discovery in 2020.

A Manchester palaeontologist has unearthed bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile / Credit: UoM

“I was amazed by Justin and Ruby’s find,” Dr Lomax commented.

“In 2018, my team and Paul de la Salle studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone, and we had hoped that one day another would come to light.”

He explained that Justin and Ruby’s new specimen was “more complete and better preserved” than the first find, and that he “became very excited” at the chance to learn more following their discovery.

As mentioned, the Manchester-based research team, led by Dr Lomax, revealed that the jaw bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that would’ve been about the size of a blue whale, and they have called the new genus and species Ichthyotitan severnensis – which means ‘giant fish lizard of the Severn’.

The bones – which represent the very last of their kind – are around 202 million years old, and date back to the end of the Triassic Period in a time known as the Rhaetian.

During this time, the gigantic ichthyosaurs swam the seas while the dinosaurs walked on land.

The University of Manchester, where Dr Dean Lomax works as a palaeontologist / Credit: UoM

Ichthyotitan is not the world’s first giant ichthyosaur, but the discoveries by Paul, and Justin and Ruby, are said to be “unique among those known to science”, as they appear roughly 13 million years after their latest geologic relatives – including Shonisaurus sikanniensis from British Columbia in Canada, and Himalayasaurus tibetensis from Tibet in China.

Speaking on the confirmation of the bones’ identification this week, Dr Lomax said: “This research has been ongoing for almost eight years.

“It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period.

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“These jawbones provide tantalising evidence that perhaps one day a complete skull or skeleton of one of these giants might be found.”

Featured Image – UoM

News

Northern Quarter favourite Pie and Ale has sadly closed down

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pie and Ale Manchester closed down

Beloved Northern Quarter eatery and pub Pie and Ale has sadly and quietly closed its doors this week in yet another gutting bit of news for the Manc hospitality sector.

Known for its legendary homemade pies, great selections of ales, craft beers and lagers, not to mention a great little pub when it comes to watching live sport, it’s long been considered an NQ institution.

Unfortunately, however, as confirmed by a sign posted in the window, Pie and Ale has now closed for business after more than a decade.

Safe to say, we’re absolutely gutted, as we’re sure everyone else is.

Credit: The Manc Eats

While no official announcement has been made on their social media as yet, which will no doubt receive love and sadness from its loyal following, the sign in the window simply reads: “Pie and Ale has unfortunately ceased trading. Apologies for any inconvenience.”

The local favourite which was always hailed for being great value for money – celebrated especially for its popular pie and a pint for under a tenner deal – also served up great nibbles and light bites as well as dessert specials.

Although the Lever Street spot previously shut down for a short spell back in 2018 due to what they labelled as “unforeseen circumstances” before reopening just two months later, this latest update looks pretty definitive.

Sister-site Bakerie also ceased trading back in April 2019, with husband and wife founders, Alyson Doocey and David Cook, admitting that all independents had been “feeling the squeeze”.

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While we have few other details at this stage, it does look like Pie and Ale has indeed closed down for the foreseeable future.

A mainstay on our list of the best pies in Manchester since day dot and just the latest in the list of losses in 2024 so far, they will be sorely missed.

We sincerely hope this is like last time and will keep our fingers crossed that we see the pie pros and expert pourers back in business at some point.

RIP to an NQ icon.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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