Scottish pub The Lass O’Gowrie has been a fixture on Manchester’s Charles Street for over 170 years.
For most of that time, it’s been something of an old-school Victorian boozer, serving the poor residents of its “Little Ireland” neighbourhood throughout the 19th century, and, more recently, the mix of students, city workers and academics that float down from nearby offices and campuses.
Already popular for its weekly open mic and quiz nights, the Greene King-owned pub has now added another string to its bow with the installation of a new mini cinema in its second room.
With a big screen, comfortable seats, and space to accommodate 20 people seated (or 35 standing), whilst the rest are in the main bar getting the pints in, film fans can catch intimate screenings of their favourite cult classics behind the scenes.
Pic copyright Phil Tragen 2022
Set to open for a mix of bespoke screenings and private sessions, the new mini cinema also has access to BBC and Sky Sports channels.
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The dog-friendly pub has just undergone a six-figure refurb, with an upgrade to its 23-seat floating beer garden seeing the arrival of new seating, decking and fencing.
Elsewhere, new furniture, carpets/floors, lighting fixtures and artwork have been introduced to give the pub a ‘new and improved urban feel.’
Pic copyright Phil Tragen 2022
Bosses have also reintroduced its food offering, serving up crowd-pleasing classics like fish and chips and vegan-friendly Beyond Meat burgers.
Speaking on the pub’s new look, Josh Murray, General Manager of Lass O Gowrie, said: “We couldn’t be happier with phase two of the refurbishment and are really excited to be able to welcome our regulars and newcomers back through the pub’s doors.
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“Having received a full makeover both inside and out, the Lass O Gowrie has never looked better, and I speak on behalf of myself and the team when I say we can’t wait to show it off”
How will the Government’s new digital ID alternative for alcohol sales work?
Emily Sergeant
All licensed venues across England and Wales now have the choice to introduce digital proof of age for alcohol sales alongside physical.
Instead of having to hand over physical ID that contains personal information, such as names and home addresses, customers now have the choice to simply provide confirmation that they are 18 or over on their phone – helping to better protect privacy and personal safety in the process.
This means that, no matter whether you’re buying a drink at your favourite pub, heading to a festival, or enjoying a night out at a concert, you won’t need to worry if you’ve left your ID at home.
According to the Government, this new change will benefit businesses greatly too, as certified digital services are able to check that an ID is genuine and belongs to the person presenting it much easier than the alternative can, which therefore helps to reduce the risk of any fake or borrowed IDs going undetected.
Well, according to the Government, it could be as simple as a customer showing a QR code for staff to scan, or tapping their phone against a compatible reader, where staff will then receive a clear confirmation on their device that the customer has passed the age check.
This change follows a 2024 Government consultation where it was reported that 72% of respondents supported the use of digital identities for age verification when buying alcohol.
Digital Government Minister Stephanie Peacock reiterated that ‘it will remain an individual or business’ choice whether to use or adopt [digital ID]’ and that physical ID will ‘still remain a valid way’ for customers to prove their age.
“This groundbreaking change in the law will mean you do not need to carry a physical ID, nor hand over sensitive personal information such as your name or address just to prove your age, allowing everyone to feel safer on a night out,” she concluded.
Featured Image – Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)
News
Manchester to host G20 Summit in 2027 with more than a dozen world leaders descending on the city
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has been confirmed as the host city for the G20 Summit next year.
It was already announced back in November last year that the G20 Summit would be coming to the UK in 2027, and plans were apparently already being discussed to host it in Manchester even before Andy Burnham became Prime Minister and Number 10 North was set up.
But now, ahead of this year’s leaders’ summit being held in Miami in December, it has been confirmed that the G20 Summit will arrive in Manchester in November 2027.
Manchester is said to have been picked to host the leaders’ summit because of its ‘cultural heritage’.
Bringing together 19 of the world’s largest economies and two major multilateral bodies – the European Union and the African union – G20 members who will be invited to attend the summit next year make up 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population as a whole.
Manchester has been confirmed to host the G20 Summit in 2027 / Credit: 10 Downing Street | Paul Kagame (Flickr)
G20 members are also some of the UK’s closest economic partners, the Government insists.
17 of the UK’s top 20 global export markets attend the summit, as do 18 of the UK’s top 20 sources of foreign direct investment.
The presidency of the G20 is currently held by the US but will pass to the UK after the leaders’ summit hosted by the president at his Trump National Doral Miami golf resort in December.
The 2027 summit will be held at Manchester Central, it has been confirmed, and other locations across the UK will also host other G20 events as part of the year-long presidency, but these are yet to be announced.
Georgina Pellant -
18th August 2022 
