News
Group behind Manchester’s ‘worst hotels’ with ‘prison cell’ rooms reports record profits
After ten years as the worst in the UK, it suddenly appears that Britannia Hotels have become a popular choice.
The group behind some of Manchester‘s worst hotels has reported record profits, despite its less-than-stellar reputation in the city and across the UK more generally.
Britannia Hotels, which is behind the infamous Northern Quarter hotel Sacha’s and the Britannia Hotel on Portland Street amongst others, suddenly appears to have become a popular place to stay – if its takings are anything to go by.
The company reported a loss of £9.5m in 2021, but in the following year revealed its pre-tax profits to be £33.3m.
The chain is also behind the Britannia Airport Hotel, as well as having further sites in Wigan, Stockport and Bolton, and has been consistently rated the worst in the UK for ten years consistently.
Its most recognisable city centre hotel Sacha’s has been referred to as the city’s very own Cecil Hotel, with reviewers on TripAdvisor regularly calling it the ‘worst hotel in Manchester’ and comparing its rooms to a ‘prison cell.’
One reviewer, posting under the username Vincent B, confessed he couldn’t even make it through the night and checked out seven hours into his stay.
He wrote: “I did not even stay the night the hotel was that bad. It’s basically next door to 3 night clubs. Checked in at 16.00 and left at 23.15. Windows were so dirty and the bed was nowhere near sleepable. Will definitely not be going anywhere near me.”
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Another person compared the rooms to a ‘prison cell’, writing: “The most vile place I’ve ever stayed. Location good and staff are nice but wow I can’t believe they can charge £225 a night for this hell hole.
“The rooms are like a prison cell. No proper windows and aircon doesn’t work. Have a tiny fan that doesn’t even make a difference. Huge window on the ceiling with no blind. Light from 4am so we were wide awake!! Told the reception staff whilst checking out and I honestly think they’ve heard it all before. Just said sorry for the inconvenience!! It’s grotty and it stinks.”
A statement from the chain’s board said: “The result represents a return to performance levels comparable to pre-Covid-19 achieved during a period of difficult trading conditions which continues to limit opportunities for growth.
“Our priorities continue to be maintaining occupancy levels and to manage operating costs whilst ensuring that the business is well placed to exploit the opportunities of the future.”
Read more: Father of murdered GMP officer PC Nicola Hughes collects MBE for charity work
“The directors remain confident that the company is in a good position to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. The hotels have managed to maintain their competitive edge through the economic downturn and continue to take steps designed to attract new business and improve market share going forward.
“The directors have carefully considered the availability of working capital and likely levels of trading over the next 12 months. They are confident that the business is well placed to meet the challenges including the current geopolitical uncertainty, cost of living crisis and the continuing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Featured image – Wikipedia
News
Manchester United issue response after banning Manchester Evening News and select journalists from press conference
Danny Jones
The Manchester Evening News (MEN) along with a number of sports journalists have reportedly been banned from attending a Manchester United press conference after publishing a story on an apparent rift at the club, claiming that manager Erik ten Hag has ‘lost the dressing room’.
The popular local outlet shared the news that their own journalists and three other media channels have been “blocked from attending ten Hag’s pre-match press conference” this Tuesday, 5 December ahead of the Chelsea game on Wednesday night following an article published at the start of the week.
Citing the reason behind the ban as being due to Chief Man United Writer and well-known sports reporter, Samuel Luckhurst’s recent story, which claimed that ten Hag is “losing the confidence” of his players, he and at least three other journalists won’t be in attendance after Sky Sports went so far as to suggest as much as “50%” of the dressing room.
It is thought that Sky‘s chief reporter Kaveh Solekhol, David McDonnell of The Mirror and ESPN‘s Rob Dawson are among the other individuals to have been barred from joining this afternoon’s presser as per instruction from United‘s Director of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Andrew Ward.
Issuing a statement to The Manc and journalists across the country, the club said: “We’re taking action against a number of news organisations today, not for publishing stories we don’t like, but for doing so without contacting us first to give us the opportunity to comment, challenge or contextualise.
“We believe this is an important principle to defend and we hope it can lead to a re-set in the way we work together.” It is unclear how long the suspension is set to be upheld but it is likely they will only serve a one-match ban — pardon the pun.
The MEN reiterated that the initial story was “multiply-sourced”, adding that they had not been banned as a result of previous stories that were largely seen as critical of the Man United head coach and/or his squad, including prior claims players were starting to “doubt” his tactics and managerial style.
Furthermore, the outlet goes on to state that several other journalists have claimed they were prevented from asking questions in press conferences by Ward in the past “over perceived negative coverage”, adding that the club have expressed their “regret” over having to issue the ban. The move has been welcomed by many fans, with several saying it is reminiscent of Sir Alex Ferguson’s hardline approach to the media.
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Man United have made one of their worst starts to a campaign in decades and, despite winning their first trophy in six years under the Dutchman with an EFL Cup win last season, have unfortunately been breaking all manner of unwanted records of late.
ten Hag’s team suffered another disappointing loss against Newcastle at the end of November and now face another tricky task as they prepare to face a Chelsea side who are starting to gather some semblance of form.
Countless Reds and neutrals alike will no doubt now be tuning in for his pre-match press conference at 1:30pm ahead of the mid-week Premier League fixture against the West Londoners on Wednesday night (8:15pm kick-off).
The former Ajax manager has made no secret of the troubles he faced when he first arrived at Old Trafford but is clearly keen to avoid others from airing any of their rumoured dirty laundry.
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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Manchester United
News
Adult film star and LGBTQ+ icon Sophie Anderson dies aged 36
Danny Jones
Adult film star and much-loved LGBTQ+ icon Sophie Anderson has sadly died aged just 36, as confirmed by colleague, influencer and friend Rebecca More.
The recognisable UK porn star and internet personality, best known for being one-half of the viral online duo ‘C*ck Destroyers’ alongside More, was announced dead on Tuesday, 5 December following reports from numerous media outlets before being confirmed by her former co-star.
Sharing the news on social media, Rebecca wrote: “I’m devastated hearing the awful news of Sophie’s passing. We shared some amazing times together and that’s how I’m going to remember her.
Anderson’s death comes just over a fortnight after the shocking passing of her boyfriend, Oliver Spedding (a.k.a. ‘Damian Oliver’), another fellow actor in the adult industry and former Crystal Palace youth player. Neither his nor her cause of death has been released at this time.
As the statement goes on to say, she describes the Bristol-born performer as “the bubbly, funny, kind-hearted soul who was outrageous on the outside but also so gentle behind closed doors.”
Despite having parted ways following a fall-out back in May 2021, More insisted: “We were very close, and we shared a crazy time together that was totally unique to us. That’s how I will remember her.”
She signed off by adding, “This is so tragic but I know you are now at peace. I will always, always love you and hold a special place in my heart”.
Her heartfelt sentiment was echoed online as countless people on social media have paid tribute to the viral sensation who was an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and all things queer culture, as well as sex positivity in general.
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As mentioned, it was only on 17 November that her ex-partner Spedding himself passed away, but the former footballer was also disturbingly found to be the one behind previous claims she had died that turned out to be a hoax earlier this year.
Regardless, the news unfortunately appears to be genuine this time and it’s clear from the reaction online how saddened so many people from all walks of life are to learn of her passing.
Rest in peace.
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Featured Images — Sophie Anderson
Georgina Pellant -
14th June 2023 
