Historic Manchester pub The Briton’s Protection is facing a serious threat to its way of operating that could put everything its owners have worked for at risk.
Long considered a Manchester institution, the specialist whisky pub boasts more than 360 bottles of the beautiful amber nectar on its back bar and draws in customers from across the globe for its rare collection of Jack Daniels – the biggest of any pub in the city.
It’s also featured in the CAMRA good beer guide, thanks to the efforts of owners Alan Hudd and Mark West, who’ve worked hard to develop relationships with local brewers to offer punters a rich and varied cask offering.
Image: The Manc Group
In doing so, they’ve carved out a specialist niche for the pub. It was even nominated for an award due to the fact last week.
But now, all that teeters on a precipice as they enter into a battle with Heineken-owned landlord Star Pubs, who they say want to take back control of the pub and ‘strip away’ everything that makes it unique.
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Having struggled through Covid with minimal government support, it is the last thing they need right now.
Speaking to The Manc, owner Allan Hudd said: “I just think it’s a massive shame that Star pubs want to take this pub back after putting 10 years of my hard work into to make it what it is and offer a great whisky and local cask ale which is something they won’t be able to offer – our USP will be stripped away.”
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Image: The Manc Group
During the darkest moments of the pandemic, the pub’s owners feared The Briton’s Protection might never reopen. Now they’re facing the possibility of losing it all over again.
The pub is currently run as ‘market rent only’ (MRO) – meaning only rent is paid to landlord Star Pubs & Bars and alcohol can be sourced by owners from elsewhere.
In spite of this, the owners buy a number of products from Heineken as well as purchasing more unique items elsewhere – something they feel makes them model tenants for the MRO model.
However, it now seems that Heineken is not happy with the arrangement as they have refused to renew the lease – instead suggesting that owner Allan set up his own limited company and become a ‘self-employed manager’ under its Just Add Talent talent scheme.
But without the local cask ales and diverse whiskey section that pulls punters over to this out-of-the-way part of town, it’s very hard to see how the pub would be able to stay in the black – for Allan, or anyone else who was to take it on.
It’s also hard to see that anyone would want to go there without the special offerings that currently make it so unique.
It’s a devastating proposition and one that The Briton’s team is now gearing up to fight in court.
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Image: The Manc Group
The news that the landlord would not renew their lease came as a shock to owners, who had been told if they paid all outstanding rent and the next quarter upfront there would be no issues moving forward with a new contract.
On the basis of this agreement, £170,00 was paid – only for The Briton’s owners to be issued with an eviction notice a week later that stated Star Pubs wanted to take The Briton’s Protection back into its managed portfolio.
If Star Pubs was successful in returning the pub to its fold, this would remove the ability of any future management to buy from outside Heineken’s supported products – putting an end to the unique whiskey and craft ale offerings for which The Briton’s Protection has become known.
The closest ‘local’ ale that would be available, we’re told, comes from 60 miles away. As for the whiskey, if Star Pubs were to succeed the over 360 bottles in The Briton’s collection would be reduced to little more than 10. A sad state of affairs indeed.
“They’ll just go to The Pev”, says Allan, if they come in and find nothing more than the same two or three beers they can get anywhere else on tap.
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The pub is launching a public campaign to fight back this week, with the support of CAMRA, Labour MP Lucy Powell, Manchester Whisky Club and the Peterloo Society.
Image: The Manc Group
A spokesperson for CAMRA told The Manc: “We feel it is scandalous how Heineken / Star Pubs are treating one of its best tenants in what must be, the most famous pub in Greater Manchester.
“To do what they are wanting to do to Allan after has fought so hard to keep this pub going through thick and thin and a pandemic is truly criminal.
“Heineken just do not understand either the pub or its customers with its significant offerings in both real ale and whiskeys from such a landmark pub. They should be helping to preserve this pub and keep their word on previous agreements.
“They should also be raising significant objections to the proposed 20+ story block being proposed to be built next door and the ludicrous “in fill” on the other side of the BP. We all need to start preserving our historic pubs, Heineken are just so wrong and should be ashamed as to how they treat their tenants.”
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CAMRA’s Pub Protection officer Steve Ingham added: “CAMRA has […] pledged to support the business partners in their efforts to reach an equitable agreement and safeguard in any way we can the continued existence of the pub in its current form, the offer of traditional well kept beers and their wide range of whiskey’s for which they have an enviable reputation.
“Pub companies often forget that they are only custodians of their ‘assets’ for an ephemeral period and that past and future generations have and hopefully will continue to enjoy this special place which has its own heritage apart from even any special protection we afford them.
“Thankfully the BP is a Grade 11 listed building and that at least continues to protect the fabric of the building against unsympathetic treatment.
“CAMRA will rigorously monitor the unfolding planning application and the treatment of the tenants at the BP.”
A spokesperson for Star Pubs & Bars said: “Briton’s Protection is a beautiful, historic Manchester pub that appeals to both locals who love real ale and visitors looking to experience a traditional Mancunian Great British pub.
“We believe in its future and, now that the lease is coming to an end, we feel this is the ideal opportunity to review how the pub will be operated going forward to ensure its long-term sustainability.
“Briton’s Protection is the perfect fit for our Just Add Talent model, and we plan to build on the current offer whilst continuing to support the pub’s historic status and maintaining its focus on serving an interesting range of real ale and ciders.”
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A petition has been set up by the pub’s owners to try and save the pub. If you want to sign it you can do so here.
Feature image – The Manc Group
News
MediaCity launches brand new state-of-the-art creative content space
Danny Jones
Exciting times for Greater Manchester and young talent as a brand-new state-of-the-art content creation space has just launched over in Salford.
Over the past decade, MediaCity has become a highly celebrated creative and cultural hub, home to the likes of the BBC, ITV, Lowry and more.
It’s become more than just an outpost accessible via a short tram ride but a true heavyweight of the media and creative industries here in the UK, always looking to expand and push the boundaries.
Now, following the completion of its latest project, MediaCity looking to provide a space for future generations of content creators and aspiring media makers.
Credit: MediaCity (supplied)
This brand new £600,000 state-of-the-art content creation space marks a huge milestone in MediaCity’s continuing journey as not just a Northern hub for digital and creative innovation, but a go-to national destination for future media.
Designed to cater to the growing climate of cutting-edge content creation and offer a professional workspace at an accessible rate, Content Studio provides a range of versatile creative spaces, including light, dark and podcast studios – perfect for video and stills production, castings, photoshoots and more.
Curated by University of Salford alumni Ashley Salmon the studio has been designed to meet the needs of modern content creators, influencers, social media stars, brands and businesses of all kinds.
Promising to offer both a dynamic and inspiring space where people can produce high-quality and innovative content while fostering a supportive creative community, this place aims to live up to Greater Manchester’s media reputation: industry-leading.
The Content Studio will also be made accessible to students and creatives spending time over at the MediaCity campus, with a good chunk of the core production team including recent graduates from the University, giving them a valuable platform to showcase their skills and kickstart their careers.
Credit: Supplied
For the first time, creators will have access to a range of industry-quality facilities at an affordable rate, with spaces starting from just £10 per hour – a super reasonable price point, especially these days.
To further enhance the creative process, MediaCity has partnered with experienced on-site production companies to ensure every booking is fully equipped with all the facilities for seamless content creation.
Boasting everything from infinity walls and green screens to cameras, audio gear, props and pretty much everything you’d ever need.
To make things even sweeter, hiring the content creation space also comes with the option of one-on-one consultations, so creators can focus on creating rather than coordinating.
Even those who require significantly more space and tech requirements will be able to make use of the neighbouring dock10 studios.
Through a partnership with local creative community group Heads, creators will also have plenty of access to exclusive workshops and upskilling opportunities, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Credit: Supplied
The MediaCity Content Studio isn’t just another content creation/production space – Greater Manchester has tonnes of those – it’s also an exciting new outlet for new talent, collaboration, innovation and inspiration, not to mention an investment in the future.
Anyone working out of the space will have the tools to carve their own path and help shape the future of entertainment and digital media in the North and beyond.
To mark the launch of the new content creation space, MediaCity is even introducing a new podcast, This is MediaCity in partnership with University of Salford and produced by Stephen Chapman, Founder and Creative Director of 39 Pictures.
The podcast is set to spotlight the people and stories that make this particular corner of 0161 the creative powerhouse we know, love and remain immensely proud of.
Director of Marketing and Place at MediaCity, Caroline Aikman, said of the exciting project: “Content Studio represents our commitment to nurturing the next generation of digital creators and innovators.
“By providing the tools, spaces, and inspiration, we’re not just supporting the future of content—we’re empowering it. This marks an exciting chapter in MediaCity’s journey, cementing our reputation as the go-to destination for digital creativity.”
Football Manager 25 has been officially cancelled following delays
Danny Jones
Beloved videogame simulator Football Manager 25 has been officially cancelled following continued delays.
The long-standing game where players take control as virtual managers of football teams has been a mainstay of digital sporting entertainment for more than three decades.
Developed by London-based studio Sports Interactive and published by gaming giants SEGA, the game hasn’t missed a single season since it began life as Championship Manager back in 1992.
However, following two significant delays to this year’s title, Sports Interactive have confirmed that Football Manager 25 has now been cancelled, despite countless pre-orders having already been made.
While the news doesn’t come as a total surprise, with FM25 having first been delayed ahead of its initial November 2024 release date and then moved again to March 2025, many fans would
The statement reads: “Sports Interactive [SI] regret to inform that, following extensive internal discussion and careful consideration with SEGA, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25 and shift our focus to the next release.
“For the large numbers of you who pre-ordered FM25, we thank you enormously for your trust and support – we’re very sorry to have let you down. Please see the FAQs below on obtaining your refund.
“We know this will come as a huge disappointment, especially given that the release date has already moved twice, and you have been eagerly anticipating the first gameplay reveal. We can only apologise for the time it has taken to communicate this decision.
“Due to stakeholder compliance, including legal and financial regulations, today was the earliest date that we could issue this statement.”
Insisting that they pride themselves on “delivering the best value for money games that bring you countless hours of enjoyment”, they simply didn’t feel like they were able to release the latest FM title to a good enough standard in its current state following playtesting.
They go on to add that ahead of working on this, the studio undertook the “biggest technical and visual advancement in the series for a generation, laying the building blocks for a new era”, hence why the significant delays. The news has been met with mixed reactions, to say the least.
Don’t worry only gotta wait till November!!! Only in February FFS
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) February 7, 2025
You can read the statement in full HERE, in which they also rationalise that it simply no longer made sense or felt fair to expect people to buy FM25 when it was ready only to purchase the next instalment later in the year.
Fortunately, with regular updates as well as community mods and patches to the current Football Manager (FM24 was released back in November 2023), loyal fans have been more understanding about the delays and now the cancellation.
SI signed off by stating: “Through the cancellation, every effort is now focused on ensuring that our next release achieves our goal and hits the quality level we all expect. We will update you on how we are progressing with that as soon as we are able to do so.
“Thank you for reading, your patience and your continued support. Our full focus now returns to creating a new era for Football Manager.”
Lighting a candle for the people who collect a physical copy of every Football Manager, with no FM25 their collections will be ruined forever. pic.twitter.com/M1S5LiLJtQ