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New mosaic mural inspired by Manchester’s music and sporting heritage unveiled

The Manchester Originals mural was unveiled outside of Emirates Old Trafford yesterday.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 4th August 2022

A brand new mosaic mural inspired by Manchester‘s iconic music, sporting, and architectural heritage has just been unveiled.

Ahead of the return of cricket’s newest and most entertaining tournament, The Hundred, later this week, the new mural has been unveiled just outside of the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground and it pays homage to the city’s very-own team, Manchester Originals.

The new mosaic mural – which is described as being a “legacy artwork” – not only brings to life the Manchester Originals’ striking monochrome branding that fans will know well, but it also draws inspiration from the architecture, music, and sporting heritage that the Greater Manchester region is world-famous for.

It also features the city’s emblem, the Manchester worker bee, The Stone Roses’ lemon, and also a clever nod to “the Mancunian Way of doing things”.

The Manchester Originals mural has been unveiled outside of Emirates Old Trafford / Credit: Nathan Whittaker (@Manc_Wanderer) via Manchester Originals

The new mural is the impressive work of renowned local mosaic artist, Mark Kennedy – who’s recognisable creations adorn the streets of Manchester, and have become synonymous with the city for over 20 years now.

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Mark was as at Emirates Old Trafford himself to help unveil the mosaic yesterday.

“Manchester has been my canvas for nearly 30 years, I can’t imagine being from, or based, anywhere else,” Mark said on the unveiling of the new mural.

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“We wanted this piece to be modern, but with references that will stand the test of time.”

The new mural is the work of renowned local mosaic artist, Mark Kennedy / Credit: Nathan Whittaker (@Manc_Wanderer) via Manchester Originals

A handful of local residents and cricket fans were also invited down to Emirates Old Trafford to place the final pieces into the mosaic ahead of Manchester Originals’ first home game of the tournament against the Northern Superchargers this Friday.

The mural also depicts Manchester Originals’ Women’s captain, Kate Cross.

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Read more: Manchester Originals and The Hundred is returning with cricket, music, and more

Speaking on the mural’s unveiling, Kate explained: “Manchester is more than our name, it’s our home, so to be part of a piece of art that captures that iconic Manchester spirit is a real honour… and I hope to see plenty of photos [of our fans] stood next to the mosaic.”

Unfamiliar with The Hundred?

Now in its second season and already proving popular with people of all ages, it’s cricket’s newest one-day 100-ball tournament that runs for four-weeks and gives spectators the chance to enjoy a mix of fast-paced world class cricket, along with music, entertainment, and street food off the pitch.

“This concept of cricket is radical – and Manchester is a radical city,” Mark Kennedy added.

Featured Image – Nathan Whittaker (@Manc_Wanderer) via Manchester Originals

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‘Please help’ – plea to save one of Manchester’s oldest theatres as beautiful building falls into disrepair

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A fresh appeal and Crowdfunder has been launched to try and save one of Manchester’s oldest and most beautiful theatre buildings.

The Hulme Playhouse Theatre and the Nia Centre are at risk of closing down once again as both the list of repairs and the cost of living rise.

The venue, used now as a community hub and events space operated by NIAMOS, is in ‘desperate need of repair’ and they need to raise £50,000 for the urgent work.

Without it, it’s feared that the ‘cold and leaking’ building could be lost forever and ‘another cultural institution could be turned into flats’.

At present, the historic Grade II-listed building doesn’t have a heating system, and winter has brought new pressures.

NIAMOS, a group of local residents and community volunteers, say they want to ‘honour the important legacy of this renowned venue’.

NIAMOS have launched a Crowdfunder for the Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre. Credit: NIAMOS

The beautiful building in Hulme was first opened in 1902 and is one of only two remaining W. H. Broadhead theatres.

At one time, Broadhead owned an empire of theatres, and designed the space to resemble a factory from the outside, hoping to help working class audiences in Manchester feel at home.

In 1956, the BBC took over and turned it into BBC Soundstage North, where The Beatles’ first-ever live radio performance was broadcast from.

Then the legendary Nina Simone opened it theas The Nia Centre in 1991, becoming the first African and Caribbean-led theatre in Europe.

The space is used for community events. Credit: NIAMOS

The cultural significance of this building really can’t be overstated, and the NIAMOS team are desperate to save it.

They said in their Crowdfunder: “Our mission is to preserve the heritage of the Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre, by keeping the building and the Arts it facilitates accessible to all communities, all ages and capabilities.”

NIAMOS’ message continued: “We need help to be able to keep all the incredible projects that happen in the building going and make sure the space stays open as a hub for the Hulme community and beyond! We need to honour the important legacy of this renowned venue, still independent in the heart of Manchester, and not let another cultural institution be turned into flats.

“We want to make sure the building stays open as much as possible over winter and improve the equipment that local and young artists have access to through us, including music production, sound and lighting engineering, arts workshops, film and media production and acting classes.

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“The building is in desperate need of repair and a heating system which we currently do not have at all! Alongside all of this, the running costs of the building and the rising cost of living mean we are under pressure this winter.

“We rely on volunteer support to run and host events for our community and our voluntary members have worked extremely hard to keep the building afloat, but our members cannot give as much of their time as we need and with the challenge of a cold and leaking building we are in need of help to save this space from closing down!!

“When the current directorship took over the running of the building they also took on significant debts, this has meant we have been two steps forward and one step back. Despite all the hard work of the people who have been running the space voluntarily we need help over the quieter winter months.

Credit: NIAMOS

“We need to stay open long enough to apply for further funding bids, including long term support from the Heritage Lottery fund, as we are a grade II listed building. We have an amazing programme of events and projects we want to put on this year that will build on sustaining us financially and provide opportunities for community artists and creatives.

“Keeping this building open and functional is of great importance for Hulme and the surrounding areas communities; we need your help! Developing heating solutions and doing necessary repairs in the building will enable us to stay open during the colder months and help us with our aim of making the building more conscious and sustainable.

“Please help!”

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You can read more and donate to NIAMOS’s Crowdfunder for Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre here.

Featured image: NIAMOS

News

Tim Martin is blaming ‘people drinking at home’ for UK Wetherspoons closures

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

It’s no secret that times are hard for hospitality right now, with pubs and restaurants shutting left, right and centre – but when UK pub giant Wetherspoons starts closing its doors you have to wonder if anyone can survive in this climate.

In September last year, the budget pub chain began listing sites for sale with 32 boozers going up as part of what it described as a “commercial decision”.

Now, it has listed even more – and arch-Brexiteer Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin is apparently blaming people ‘drinking at home’ for the closures.

After the chain suffered a £30 million pound loss, CEO Tim Martin told PA news agency that people ‘have got into the habit of staying in’ ever since Covid and that that was why sales were down on 2019.

The Waterhouse

Read more: Government refuses to deny reports HS2 may not run from Manchester to central London

He also blamed lockdown restrictions brought in to stop the spread of Covid during the heigh of the pandemic for the pub’s losses,

He said: “The aftermath of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have been far more difficult than anyone thought.

“That is the picture for the whole pub and restaurant industry. People thought that after lockdown there would be a boom in people suffering from cabin fever but, instead, it has almost become the opposite situation as people have got into the habit of staying in.

Read more: This hidden Manchester pasta and dumplings restaurant has just made the Michelin Guide

“That’s the big thing that means sales are down on 2019. Things are improving now but it’s slow.”

The pub sales are being handled by CBRE and Savills. Toby Hall, senior director at CBRE, said: “The excellent mix of locations in this portfolio is rarely seen in the market.

“With more than half the portfolio located in London and the South East and other strong locations in the South West, Midlands and North we believe the pubs represent an excellent opportunity for existing pub operators and new entrants.”

Which JD Wetherspoon pubs are set for closure?

Pubs which have been sold:

  • Harvest Moon, Orpington
  • Alexander Bain, Wick
  • Chapel an Gansblydhen, Bodmin
  • Moon on the Square, Basildon
  • Coal Orchard, Taunton
  • Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
  • Wild Rose, Bootle
  • Edmund Halley, Lee Green
  • The Willow Grove, Southport
  • Postal Order, Worcester
  • North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham

Pubs still up for sale:

  • The Butlers Bell, Stafford
  • Worlds Inn, Romford
  • Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
  • Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
  • The Percy Shaw, Halifax
  • Jolly Sailor, Hanham
  • The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
  • The Moon & Bell, Loughborough
  • The Widow Frost, Mansfield
  • Resolution, Middlesbrough
  • Foxley Hatch, Purley
  • The Rising Sun, Redditch
  • Sennockian, Sevenoaks
  • Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
  • The Colombia Press, Watford
  • The Malthouse, Willenhall
  • The John Masefield, New Ferry
  • The Crosse Keys, Peebles
  • Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
  • The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
  • General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
  • Plough & Harrow, Hammersmith
  • Thomas Leaper, Derby
  • Cliftonville, Hove
  • Tollgate, Turnpike Lane
  • Asparagus, Battersea
  • Millers Well, East Ham
  • Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
  • Angel, Islington
  • The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
  • Capitol, Forest Hill
  • The Bankers Draft, Eltham
  • Moon on the Hill, Harrow
  • The Bank House, Cheltenham
  • Last Post, Loughton

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