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’.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
“This on-board dating app embargo aside, we do wish our single customers all the best in their search for their perfect partner.”
Featured Image – Northern
News
Atherton man handed lengthy jail sentence after ‘sinister’ sexual abuse investigation
Emily Sergeant
A man has been handed a lengthy jail sentence after police uncovered his “sinister activities” during a sexual abuse investigation.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) revealed that Peter James Wilson, from the Greater Manchester town of Atherton, abused seven victims over a 51-year time frame, starting all the way back in 1972 when he was just 14 years old.
The now 67-year-old began what has been described as a “horrifying pattern of abusive behaviour” towards young people that “persisted for decades”.
Police say he subjected multiple victims, regardless of their age or gender, to “deeply traumatising experiences”, which ranged from things like inappropriate advances, through to “devastating” acts of coercion and even rape.
As the years passed, Wilson’s predatory behaviour continued to escalate, as he manipulated and took advantage of his victims, while “shattering their innocence and trust” in the process – but GMP says 2023 marked a “turning point”, as Wilson was arrested at his home on suspicion of sexual assault involving a child.
An Atherton man has been handed a lengthy jail sentence after a ‘sinister’ sexual abuse case / Credit: GMP
Wilson’s arrest followed a brave disclosure from one of his victims, and this led to a thorough search of his property, which went on to reveal shocking evidence of his sinister activities.
Among the items seized from Wilson’s home were two mobile phone devices, a disc enclosed within an envelope, and a small camera containing an SD card, while police said they also “disturbingly” recovered a hidden camera, and after analysing these items, videos depicting the “cruel exploitation” of a female child, aged approximately six to eight years old, were unearthed.
After gathering this information, GMP initiated ‘Operation Bunker’.
‘Operation Bunker’ led to the discovery of further victims, and went on to manage all 28 counts of Wilson’s abuse and crimes.
Wilson pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 by touching, sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 by penetration, and creating an indecent image of a child, as well as being found guilty by a jury of 23 further sexual offences relating to children and adults – including indecent assault and rape.
Danny Jones -
22nd February 2024 
