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.
Molly-Mae Hague and adidas drop new collection inspired by matcha and iced lattes
Daisy Jackson
Today, adidas has finally released its hotly-anticipated parnership with Manchester-based influencer Molly-Mae Hague.
The social media superstar has collaborated with the sportswear giant for a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by matchas and iced lattes.
Molly-Mae and adidas Originals have just given fans a look at the shoes for the first time.
The star has curated a limited-edition collection of iconic Originals silhouettes – a Samba and a Superstar.
The first is the Samba Matcha shoes, a premium leather and suede shoe in a soft green colour, with double pink and white laces.
The other is a Superstar II Latte, which again features double laces in coffee-coloured hues, but in the iconic leather Superstar silhouette.
In behind-the-scenes footage of the design process on Molly-Mae’s Amazon Prime documentary series, Behind It All, she described them as ‘matcha cool girl in London’ shoes – and the vision has definitely come to life.
Molly-Mae said: “Seeing my creative vision come to life on two iconic adidas Originals silhouettes that have long been staples in my wardrobe is a true dream.
“Being so closely involved in the design process and creating products that feel fun, timeless, and an authentic extension of my own personal style has been the best experience.
“I am so excited to see how others style them in their own way.”
Steve Marks, VP Brand adidas UK commented: “At adidas, we partner with individuals who define style through authenticity and a deep-rooted connection to our brand.
“Molly-Mae’s relationship with adidas Originals has developed organically over time as a key advocate of the brand and this partnership represents a natural evolution – bringing her signature aesthetic to two of our most iconic silhouettes.”
The limited-edition adidas Originals x Molly-Mae collection drops in stores and online on 9 April, priced at £100 per pair.
Greater Manchester’s homicide rates have now dropped to a ‘historic’ low
Emily Sergeant
Homicide rates in Greater Manchester are now at the lowest they’ve been for 25 years, according to new figures.
Thanks to a major programme introduced by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to prevent violent crime and keep communities safe, known as the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), it has been revealed that the region’s homicide rate has fallen by 32% in 2025 to what is its lowest level on record since 1990.
If you’re unfamiliar with what the VRU is, it brings together GMP, Greater Manchester Probation Service, health and education professionals, youth justice, local authorities, and the voluntary, community and faith sector to address the underlying causes of violent crime.
It’s this multi-agency approach that’s said to be delivering ‘tangible results’ and driving a reduction in violent crime in Greater Manchester.
As well as homicide rates, the VRU’s partnership work with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is also said to be having ‘major impact’ across the region on issues like knife crime.
Thanks to operational activity helping to disrupt serious violence and remove more weapons from the region’s streets, the police have also recorded that knife crime in Greater Manchester has fallen by 15% in the last year too.
Following a steady decline since 2021, rates of personal robbery have fallen by 17% in the last year in Greater Manchester.
Greater Manchester’s homicide rates have now dropped to a ‘historic’ low / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Additionally, A&E attendances due to assault decreased by 3% in the same time period, with a 9% reduction among young people aged 10–24, and ambulance callouts for assault also fell by 9% in relation to this.
GMCA says that the reductions in demand for emergency services, as revealed in the latest figures, prove just how much the VRU’s combined prevention and enforcement approach is working.
“These latest figures show the real progress being made in tackling violent crime and making our streets safer,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.
“Reductions in knife crime and homicides don’t happen by chance – they come from early intervention, our strong partnership with the police and our work with communities to tackle the root causes of violence.”
Danny Jones -
22nd February 2024 
