Canvas, a Manchester gig venue, event space, restaurant and bar, appears to have suddenly shut down less than two years after opening.
A notice has been put up in the window of the Oxford Road space, which only opened in May 2022.
Right in the heart of the not-long-open Circle Square neighbourhood, with neighbours including Federal, Hello Oriental — whose supermarket area is also closing to make space for a new gaming hall — Bird of Prey and North Taproom, Canvas had a busy programme of live music and club nights running all week every week.
The venue also did a roaring trade for the months that Gorilla was closed, with many shows being relocated around the corner to Oxford Rd.
Nevertheless, a sign posted at the entrance now simply reads, ‘This venue is now closed’.
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Canvas on Manchester’s Oxford Road appears to have sadly shut down.The closure notice in the window of Canvas on Circle Square.Credit: The Manc Group
A spokesperson for Bruntwood SciTech said: “We, along with many others, are saddened by the closure of Canvas, an ambitious business that we have supported since its launch in 2019.
“We continue to invest heavily in our Circle Square community and have a number of exciting brands due to open in the coming months to ensure that it remains a vibrant pillar of Manchester’s wider innovation district.”
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The three-storey hangout was billed as a ‘next-generation’ venue boasting live music, club nights, a members’ lounge, and a sleek bar and restaurant.
The 600-capacity gig venue was open into the early hours seven days a week and had played host to the likes of both Neighbourhood and Year’s End Festival.
They did initially promise a plunge pool too, but that never rather materialised.
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Canvas’ ground floor late-night bar and restaurant space.The sound system in this room was incredible.Credit: Lucas Smith Photography (supplied)
It was launched by the team behind two legendary London venues, The Pickle Factory and Oval Space, as well as the MAMA Group, which operated Lovebox and Wilderness festivals as well as the O2 Manchester Ritz, G-A-Y and Hammersmith Apollo.
We’re sad to see it go before we feel it ever really had the chance to properly get off the ground but given the lovely upstairs restaurant and bar interior, as well as the state-of-the-art gig and entertainment space downstairs, there’s definitely still plenty to be done with the place.
Fingers crossed that the venue comes back in some shape or form again soon.
A Greater Manchester town could be set to get a train station for the first time in 60 years
Emily Sergeant
It’s been a whopping six decades, but the residents of one local town could soon be able to hop on a train out of there.
That’s because a planning application for a brand-new £32 million station in Golborne – which would connect the Greater Manchester town, in the Wigan borough, to the rail network for the first time in more than 60 years – has been submitted to Wigan Council, meaning connectivity is finally one step closer to becoming reality.
In case you didn’t know, Golborne currently has no direct bus, train, or tram services to Manchester, and Leigh is the biggest town in England without a rail station, while the wider area is the largest and most-populous area in Greater Manchester not connected to the rail network.
The milestone aims to boost access to jobs and opportunities for people in the town and the wider Wigan borough.
NEWS: Greater Manchester on track with plan for first new rail station in over 20 years. 🚉
✅ 90%+ public consultation support for Golborne station in Wigan ✅ Planning application in to @WiganCouncil ✅ Local area improvements and walking and cycling links
According to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), the Golborne station scheme forms part of a wider ambition to bring eight commuter lines into the Bee Network by 2028 – of which “significant investment” has been put into.
The application includes plans for a new accessible two-platform rail station, including step-free access throughout with a footbridge across the tracks and lifts to both platforms, a new hourly service between Wigan and Manchester Victoria, and onwards to Stalybridge, an improved town centre car park, and also new walking and cycling links to the town centre.
The submitting of the proposals comes after nearly 3,000 people had their say on the station earlier this year, with more than 90% of respondents supporting the plans.
A CGI of what the proposed new Golborne station could look like, if plans are approved / Credit: TfGM
If the plans are approved by Wigan Council, work on the site should begin in 2026, according to TfGM, with the new station scheduled to open in 2027.
Mayor Andy Burnham called the submitting of the proposals a “transformative step” for the region.
“It has taken a huge effort to get us to this point,” he explained. “But we have finally reached a major milestone on the journey to reconnect Golborne to the rail network for the first time in over 60 years.
“The proposal is based on extremely sound evidence and huge progress has been made with a planning application being submitted and overwhelming support from local residents.”
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Police issue statement after remains of young baby found in Salford field
Daisy Jackson
Police have issued a statement after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Salford yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the scene near Ashtons Field after a dog walker made the shocking discovery.
The baby – who is being called Baby A – has not yet been identified and police are now investigating ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood held a press conference near the scene on Ravenscraig Road last night.
He said: “Tragically, today, we have found what we believe to be the remains of a young baby on Ravenscraig Road, near Ashtons Field in Little Hulton.
“We have a scene in place, and you will likely see an increased presence of officers in the local area while we carry out enquiries to understand the circumstances.
“At this stage, we are following several lines of enquiry, and we are working with local partner agencies to understand who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died. We are now calling this baby, Baby A.
“All of this is extremely sensitive, and this investigation needs to be handled with the utmost care it deserves, and it is going to take time.
GMP press conference after remains of baby found in Salford
“We know that this news will devastate our communities, and while we do not have all the answers to these questions yet, I want to reassure residents that we will do all we can to find out what has happened here. The most important thing for us right now is to find answers for this baby and I would urge anyone who has any information at all to get in touch with us.
“Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Danny Jones -
22nd February 2024 
