Iconic Manchester pub The Deansgate has officially reopened its doors after two years of sitting boarded up on the busy Manchester stretch from which it takes its name.
After closing during the pandemic in 2020, the pub, which started life in the city in the 19th Century, has undergone a three-month refurbishment – retained its historical features whilst adding a fresh modern touch.
With bars and cosy snugs spreading across three floors, the top floor – previously used as a flat by the pub’s previous landlord – has been brought into public use, and now boasts a stunning adjoining rooftop terrace.
This means there’s now not one, but two roof terraces, all with built-in seating, lighting, outdoor heaters and great views of the ever-growing city skyline.
In a nod to the history of the pub, the refurbishment has been careful to retain some of its original features including the stained-glass windows, external frontage, ceilings, and woodwork whilst also giving the venue a modern, on-trend feel.
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Green decor and solid wood flooring and bar areas create a proper pub feel, as does snug booth-style seating.
The ground floor also includes a feature bar area in a half-moon shape, bespoke brass fonts and a glass back bar, as well as the return of the pub’s gorgeous festoon lighting throughout.
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As for food, diners will find traditional favourites aplenty on the menu here with a new food menu boasting the likes of Steak and Ale Pie, Beer Battered Fish and Chips, Bangers and Mash and Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The pub is also serving up a traditional Sunday Roast, with a range of different meat options and a Nut Roast Wellington served with gravy and all the trimmings.
On the drinks front, you’ll find a host of different beers and ciders on draught including favourites like Peroni, Guinness, Old Mout and Amstell, alongside house craft beers Flint Eye and Level Head.
In total, the drinks menu offers a range of 12 premium beers on tap including regional favourite the Fuzzy Hazy Pale Ale from Manchester’s number one rated beer company, Cloudwater.
The back bar also boasts a selection of wines and spirits, including the popular Fitz English Sparkling wine.
The pub also boasts an extensive cocktail menu featuring everything from Palomas to signature spritzes – including the classic Aperol Spritz and the alcohol-free Warner’s Pink Berry 0% Spritz.
To accommodate the city’s sports fans, the venue boasts seven TV screens showing live sports on BT and Sky on every floor, including a bookable private screening space on both the ground and third floor, perfect for private viewings.
Speaking on the new opening, Jonathon Evans, General Manager at The Deansgate, said: “The Deansgate has always been a Manchester staple, from when it was first opened back in the 19th Century and we’re so excited to be able to open its doors once more.
‘The transformation from an empty to space into a proper yet modern pub, with extensive food, drink and live sports offering has been months in the making and we’re looking forward to welcoming guests back to The Deansgate.”
Feature image – The Manc Eats
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RFL give the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team
Danny Jones
The Rugby Football League (RFL) have given the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team in the New Year.
Rejoice, Salfordians – the Red Devils as you know them might be done, but it looks like a Phoenix is rising very soon.
However, following a consortium bid led by a former player, it now looks as though the local community will be starting a new sporting era in 2026. You can read the RFL’s statement in full down below.
As you can see, the English governing body has agreed to grant the new Salford-based rugby league team Championship status in time for the start of next season.
The Red Devils were officially relegated back in October, following months of uncertainty surrounding their unpaid debts and having to rely on loan players to field squads.
It’s unclear whether the new Salford side will carry on under the well-established brand and logo, or whether they fresh start will include a new Greater Manchester moniker.
There is, of course, an obvious choice as retired winger Mason Caton-Brown has been confirmed as one of at least three key investors following his ‘Phoenix Bid’ to resurrect the club earlier this month.
Following the official announcement on Monday (22 Dec), fan group The 1873 have now expressed their gratitude and support regarding the new investment, adding: “The strength of this club has always been its people and that must remain true in this new chapter.”
We would like to congratulate The Phoenix Bid on being awarded RFL membership and becoming custodians of Salford Rugby League 👏
Fans must fully back the new board as we move into 2026. We have a responsibility to ensure that this is as successful as it can be. pic.twitter.com/BZEwzS0zC6
Caton-Brown had already insisted that the new leadership group had reached multiple pre-contract agreements with players and a new head coach.
While it’s obviously a big result to be gearing up just a few weeks after seemingly folding as a competitive side, the owners are now racing to get a full squad ready to face Oldham in their season opener on 16 January.
Meanwhile, ex-Salford Red Devils stars Paul Rowley and Adam Sidlow have now joined the coaching staff at St Helens.
Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)/Publicity picture (supplied)
News
Two men jailed after series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester totalling £1m
Emily Sergeant
Two men have been handed prison sentences following a series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester.
An investigation into the actions of Eidmantas Sadauskas and Vytautas Ceponis, both of no fixed abode, by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) began back in January of this year.
Described as being ‘sophisticated’ operation, the pair used equipment and tools to disable the vehicle security alarms and gain access to them, before they would then clone the vehicles, using different registration plates to allow them to slip under the radar.
In total, 25 Porsches – estimated, in total, as being approximately £1 million – were linked to the theft series and identified as having been taken by Sadauskas and Ceponis.
The thefts occurred across Greater Manchester – including in Salford, Bury, Trafford, Manchester, and Stockport – and it’s believed they were being stolen to be sold on for illegal gain.
The thefts occurred between January and October 2025, according to police, before the investigation began.
A comprehensive investigation Stockport’s Neighbourhood Crime Team (NCT) found that Sadauskas and Ceponis were mapped out as being in the areas of the crimes as they occurred, and the vehicles involved in the thefts were additionally identified as being linked to them.
The pair subsequently pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal motor vehicles at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in late November, before their sentencing last Friday.
Ceponis was jailed for four years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles, while Sadauskas was jailed for four-and-a-half years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
Several of the Porsches have since been recovered, and police say work remains ongoing to locate the outstanding vehicles and reunite them with their owners.
“No one should have their property taken from them,” commented PC Chris Hopkins, from GMP’s Stockport NCT. “As officers in the Neighourhood Crime Team, we work proactively to tackle these sorts of offences and punish those responsible.