Owners of The Briton’s Protection pub in Manchester have today launched a petition to save their historic boozer.
Last week, Heineken-owned subsidiary Star Pubs & Bars refused to renew the lease and threatened them with an eviction notice.
Now, owner Mark West and landlord Allan Hudd are battling to retain control of the iconic Manchester pub, which they have run for the past decade, after being told the brewery wants to take The Briton’s back into its managed portfolio from as early as June.
Long considered a Manchester institution, the specialist whisky pub boasts over 300 bottles alongside its own special collection of rare Jack Daniels casks – not to mention a regular rotation of local cask ales.
Image: The Manc Group
If Star Pubs & Bars were to be successful in taking the pub back, however, all of this would disappear – leaving just a few generic beers and maybe ten generic whiskies on its back bar.
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The Briton’s team say that, if lost, the pub will “fall into the abyss of generic gastro pub whitewashing that has befell so many others, seeing the offerings whittle down to minimal portfolio that would no longer be able to support the local breweries or offer such a vast selection of whisky as is commonplace just now.”
At the time of writing, the petition has just 55 signatures – but we know that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of Mancs who will want to get behind this campaign to save The Briton’s Protection.
The pub’s full petition reads: “A Manchester Iconic Pub, The Britons Proteciton is under-threat.
“Brewery subsidiary Star Pub & Bars under Parent company Heineken UK have opted not to renew the lease of the current owners. This will have a massive impact on the offerings and running of hich the Britons Protection has become known for over the decades.
“The pub is a must visit site for their specialist whiskey collections, boasting over 300 bottles, including their own unique offering of specially-selected single barrel JackDaniels as well as 8 rotating localled sourced cask ales on draught.
Image: The Manc Group
“The landlord Allan Hudd and Owner Mark West have put 10 years of passion into maintaining what this Great British pub is all about and if lost it will fall into the abyss of generic gastro pub white washing that has befell so many others, seeing the offerings whittle down to minimal portfolio that would no longer be able to support the local breweries or offer such a vast selection of whisky as is common place just now.
“Help us keep the Britons as it should be, steeped in local heritage, serving local beers and raising great whisky to all who enter.”
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To show your support for this iconic Manchester boozer, make sure to sign the petition and let Star Pubs & Bars know we won’t be letting it go without a fight.
Feature image – The Manc Group
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Police ‘delighted’ after Manchester man is jailed for running county lines drug operation
Emily Sergeant
A Manchester man has been jailed for his part in running a county lines drug operation that exploited vulnerable people.
Following an investigation by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) County Lines Team, John Joyce, of Stuart Street in Manchester, was identified as operating a county lines drugs network that supplied Class A drugs across Greater Manchester, and was subsequently jailed for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
The investigation – which uncovered extensive evidence of drug supply – found that Joyce was the controller of the “CEE” line – a mobile number used to distribute crack cocaine and heroin.
Among that ‘extensive’ evidence was more than 31,000 text messages and 8,700 calls linked to drug dealing activity, and ‘flare’ messages advertising drugs for sale sent in bulk, as well as forensic analysis linking Joyce to two personal mobile numbers and vehicles used during the operation.
CCTV footage was also uncovered showing Joyce purchasing top-up vouchers for the drugs line.
#JAILED | Man sentenced to over 5 years in prison for running county lines drug operation
Our County Lines Team investigation uncovered extensive evidence of drug supply & found he was the controller of the “CEE” line, a mobile number used to distribute crack cocaine & heroin pic.twitter.com/WAdej9lLxU
And the final nail in the coffin was that a search of the 28-year-old’s Manchester apartment uncovered more than 460g of crack cocaine, heroin, drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Joyce fled the UK and headed to Dubai in an attempt to evade justice, but was arrested upon his return at Manchester Airport in October 2025.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to dismantling county lines networks that exploit vulnerable people and blight communities,” explained Detective Constable Josh Claxton, of GMP’s County Lines Team.
“Joyce’s operation was significant and his sentence reflects the harm caused by class A drug supply in Greater Manchester.
“He evaded justice for a long time, but now we are delighted to have locked him up so he can no longer cause damage to people’s lives.”
Joyce has been jailed for five years and three months after appearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court this week (Tuesday 16 December).
Featured Image – GMP
News
Popular bar chain The Alchemist to rewind back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 next month
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s most popular bar chains is celebrating its sweet 16th birthday next month by winding back to 2010.
Money is always tight in January, right?
Once Christmas is over with, and so is the festive feasting and drinking, many like to use the first month of the new year to lay low and save some money back up – which is why The Alchemist is launching a limited-edition ‘2010 Revival Menu’, bringing back some of its most iconic early cocktails and dishes – all at their original prices from 16 years ago.
For the whole month, you can enjoy the curated throwback selection starting from £6, which i perfectly timed for a month of saving without sacrificing going out.
The Alchemist is rewinding back to 2010 with cocktails and dishes for £6 / Credit: The Manc Group
The 2010 Revival Menu includes the return of the fan-favourite White Chocolate Raspberry Martini for £6 on the cocktail menu, which was an early Alchemist staple, alongside other fan-favourites like the Colour Changing One and Virgin Pornstar, both for £6 again.
When it comes to food dishes for £6, you can tuck into a selection of different refreshing salads, while stretching your budget up to £10 will get you things like Chicken in a Basket, a Cheeseburger, and Fish and Chips.
Other iconic Alchemist cocktails returning for a fraction of the price next month include the popular Smoky Old Fashioned, and Dead Read Zombie – both for £8.
The Alchemist opened its original bar in Manchester‘s swanky Spinningfields district all the way back in 2010, and quickly became a popular and stylish destination with its high ceilings and industrial features, and has since developed into a much larger chain – with not only more Manchester destinations, but others across the UK too.
Georgina Pellant -
28th March 2022 
