One of Manchester’s oldest and most famous pubs has been completely refurbished
Built in 1736, the Crown & Kettle has welcomed hundreds of thousands through its doors in the past 284 years. Now, it's enjoyed a well-deserved refurb.
We’re losing too many of our favourite boozers before their time. Multi-generational pubs are becoming relics of the past.
But whilst landlords all over the UK are being forced to board-up the windows, lock the doors and shut down these famous longstanding establishments, the Crown & Kettle – a part of Manchester since time immemorial – is revelling a dashing refurb.
The Great Ancoats Street venue stood strong during the early chapters of the pandemic and has come out the other side looking better than ever.
Yet again, the Crown & Kettle has proven its made of particularly strong stuff.
The Crown & Kettle has had a bit of refurb. If I'm honest though, I couldn't take my eyes off that incredible roof 👌 pic.twitter.com/hnf9QxLY1Z
Built in 1736, the pub has welcomed hundreds of thousands through its doors in the past 284 years.
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It’s survived just about everything in that time, from global catastrophes to drunk journalists (who’d pop down after – or during – their shifts at the neighbouring Daily Express offices).
In nearly three centuries, the closest Crown & Kettle has come to complete closure was it fell victim to an arson attack in 1990.
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A blaze tore through the building and inflicted severe damage, but after more than 15 years lying dormant, the pub went on to make a full recovery.
Crown & Kettle
Crown & Kettle continues to thrive today as one of Manchester most beloved and longstanding boozers – and this month it’s enjoying a well-earned facelift.
The seats and surroundings have been given a luxurious upgrade – with fresh floors and new fittings bringing the classic Ancoats corner drinking den into the 21st century.
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But – crucially – that significant, famous, unparalleled Gothic interior feel has not been lost during the makeover.
In fact, it’s been amplified.
The pub’s famous ceiling (which has earned the building Grade-II listed status) has had its netting carefully peeled away so punters can now gaze up from their pints and gawp at its glory, entirely unobstructed, for the first time in years.
Owners have also confirmed they will be working closely with local breweries moving ahead – such as Pomona Island and Manchester Union Lager, with intriguing new beers being regularly added to the menu.
Crown & Kettle
Following weeks of refurb work, Crown & Kettle is officially open again. And it’s sight to behold.
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Posting on social media, the pub stated: “As holes begin to appear in the ground and the buildings around us are demolished or developed we’re proud to be able to retain some local history.
“Having survived wars, recessions, firebombing, decades of pub politics & now a pandemic; the old lady isn’t done just yet!
“Despite curfews, constantly changing legislation and challenging times in our industry we will do our best to remain open everyday from noon until 10pm.”
Follow Crown & Kettle on Facebook to see the facelift in full.
News
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in
Danny Jones
Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.
The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.
Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.
One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.
Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.
Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.
Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.
In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.
Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.
With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.
Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.
For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.
So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Macclesfield FC are once again requesting the help of the fanbase and the local community to help clear the remainder of the compacted snow from the surrounding areas of the https://t.co/fL99QEEJ4D Stadium.