Staff at the Old Abbey Taphouse in Hulme were left terrified after masked men drove up to the community pub and launched an attack on the venue this weekend.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, two people arrived at the community pub on a motorbike dressed in balaclavas. It was 4am and the pub was already closed, but staff were still inside the building closing down after a long but uneventful shift.
The venue was then attacked and all of the windows at the front of the building were smashed, leaving workers fearful and the building in disarray with broken glass everywhere.
According to a statement put out on social media by the pub’s owners over the weekend, the police were called during the incident but “unfortunately they are still yet to attend the scene.”
Image: Old Abbey Taphouse
Image: Old Abbey Taphouse
The statement continued: “The attack seems completely unprovoked, extremely aggressive and totally out of the blue.
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“Thankfully, no one was hurt, we have insurance, but we’re completely devastated and our staff are extremely upset. We work so hard and this is something no one deserves to experience.”
Earlier that evening, the pub had hosted its annual Winter Feast for residents from the Hulme community. The Old Abbey Taphouse is known locally as a community-led venue, where owners and staff work tirelessly throughout the year to bring people together and provide a safe space.
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In September, the venue was crowned CAMRA’s Community Pub of the Year for the work it does in the community by the Trafford & Hulme branch.
The flagship venue of STEAM Hubs and Pubs C.I.C (Community Interest Company), it was specially designed to be a safe space for the community when purchased in 2018 and does a lot for its vulnerable neighbours.
As well as hosting community feasts, during the pandemic owners Frankie and Rachele ran a successful Taphouse TV Dinners campaign that saw the pub deliver nearly 3,000 two-course dinners to people who were struggling in the local community.
Owners are now appealing for anyone who has any information that can help them understand why the attack happened or who did it to contact them directly ‘in confidence.’
They said: “If you have any information that can help us understand why this happened or who did it please contact us in confidence. If you live locally and have any CCTV that maybe help us please get in touch.”
Feature image – Old Abbey Taphouse
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Georgina Pellant -
12th December 2022 
