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Legendary gig venue Gorilla is closing for ‘unavoidable’ work to its railway arch home

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 19th July 2022

One of Manchester’s best-loved small venues is having to close its doors while essential work takes place along the railway arches where it’s based.

Gorilla has said it’s ‘really disappointed’ to have to shut its doors for a period of six weeks, forcing operators to reschedule upcoming gigs and events.

The venue has issued an apology to fans, bands and revellers ahead of the closure, which has begun this week.

Network Rail, the landlord for the building, is carrying out ‘unavoidable’ work in the area.

The intimate gig space is based in one of the railway arches along Whitworth Street West, close to Oxford Road train station.

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Its tiny stage has been graced by the likes of Everything Everything, Blossoms, Foals, and even Kylie Minogue.

Gorilla said in a statement: “HELLO! We have recently been informed by Network Rail, the landlord for our building, that essential work that needs to be carried out for six weeks from 18th July in our music hall. This means we are unable to proceed with any events during this time.

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“We have spent a lot of time trying to reschedule shows, working with bands & promoters to reduce the amount of disruption to peoples calendars.

“Live music & parties are what make Gorilla. We are really disappointed to close even for a short amount time, but in order to maintain the building and ensure Gorilla can keep hosting and bringing incredible events in the future then this work is unavoidable.

“To all the fans, bands and party goers who have had plans disrupted by this – we really are sorry.

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Read more: Pixies to play ultra-intimate show at Band on the Wall this week

“If you have bought a ticket for an event during this closing period then you will be contacted by your ticket agent with updated plans for your event.

“Our front bar and restaurant will still be open for breakfast, bevs and boogying and we are excited to see you all for the above through the summer!

“Love you all loads, Gorilla xx”

Several scheduled gigs have now been moved to other venues, including Band on the Wall and Factory.

Featured image: Gorilla

News

Tributes pour in for Manchester City legend and former chairman Franny Lee

Danny Jones Danny Jones Francis Franny Lee dead at 79

Tributes are being paid to Manchester City legend and former chairman Francis ‘Franny’ Lee CBE, who has passed away aged 79.

The ex-Man City, Bolton Wanderers, Derby County and England star is said to have passed away in the early hours on Monday morning, 2 October, following a long battle with cancer.

Speaking via a club statement, his wife Gill along with children Charlotte, Jonny and Nik said, “He will be sorely missed and would like to thank everyone for their kind words”.

Both Manchester teams led tributes to the British footballing legend, with avid City fan Liam Gallagher and countless others joining in paying their respects.

Social media has been filled with tributes following news of Franny Lee’s death.

Franny Lee scored 148 goals in 330 appearances during eight-year City, helping the club win multiple honours during their first periods of success, including the old First Division title back in 1968.

Born in Lancashire and starting out elsewhere in Greater Manchester at Bolton Wanderers, he also went on to play for Derby following his time with the Blues, helping the Rams to their second-ever title in 1975.

The striker also had 27 caps for England between 1968–1972, scoring 10 goals and winning FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and the Charity Shield twice at club level during that period.

Honouring their former centre-forward who went on to serve as Chairman for four years from 1994 onwards, the club statement read, “It is with the deepest sadness and heaviest of hearts we announce the passing of former Manchester City player and Chairman Francis Lee, aged 79”, adding that flags around the Etihad Campus are flying at half-mast.

Here he is speaking on his bond with fellow City legend Colin Bell, who died back in 2021.

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His first club, Bolton, said of the former marksman, “All at Bolton Wanderers are saddened to learn of the passing of former forward, Francis Lee. The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Francis’ family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time.”

As for legacy as for his time in Blue, the club had already planned to immortalise Lee prior to his death, announcing the erection of a statue back in May 2022, the reveal date of which will no doubt be moved up following his passing.

The club has also assured that “more tributes will follow in the coming days.”

Rest in peace to a legend.

Featured Image — Manchester City/England/Bolton Wanderers (via Twitter)

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Government set to announce ban on mobile phones at all schools in England

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A ban on mobile phones at all schools in England is expected to be announced by the Government this week.

Although many education institutions nationwide already have their own measures in place, according to reports in several major media outlets today – including BBC News, Sky News, The Guardian, and more – Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is pushing for a move to issue a ‘blanket ban’ on mobile phone usage at all schools in England.

She is poised to announce the ban at the Conservative Party Conference – which is currently happening here in Manchester.

If the ban is successfully introduced, it’s believed that under the new Government guidance, head teachers will be told to prevent all pupils from using mobile phones during the entire school day.

The Department for Education wants the devices banned on breaks too, as well as in class time.

While the Education Secretary appears to be adamant that the ban on the devices is a necessary one, reports are indicating, however, that it will be just guidance and would not actually be enforceable by law, which means the final call will be left up to individual schools to decide on their policy and how they’ll implemented.

The Government is set to announce a ban on mobile phones at all schools in England / Credit: gov.uk

It’s also unclear at this stage when the guidance will be published, if approved and introduced, according to Sky News.

Reports on the ban of mobile phones today come after the Government estimated back in 2018 that 95% of schools in England have already imposed restrictions, and also come after both former Schools Minister Nick Gibb, and former Education Secretary Gavin Willamson saying they favoured similar restrictions back in in 2019 and 2021, respectively.

Despite this, however, the Education Department said back in 2022 that blanket national rules were not actually needed, as the majority of schools nationwide were already taking action.

This is likely why some eyebrows at Gillian Keegan’s plans today have been raised.

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Dr Patrick Roach, who is the general secretary of teaching union NASUWT, said the Government needs to “focus on properly supporting the work of teachers and headteachers”, rather than announcements “designed to detract attention from more than a decade of policy failure”.

Similarly, the general secretary of the National Education Union, Daniel Kebede, said he hopes the Education Secretary will use her Conference speech today to “announce positive measures that face up to the deep challenges in our schools” instead of “distracting attention from them”.

Featured Image – Yura Fresh (via Unsplash)

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