Over the weekend, the online rumour mill started whisperings across the city centre about the closure of one of Manchester’s oldest pubs.
The City boozer on Oldham Street, which has been a fixture in the Northern Quarter for over 200 years, was said to be shutting its doors for good on Sunday 4 September.
Many were left in disbelief that such a longstanding fixture could close so suddenly, and tributes to the pub flooded local social media platforms.
Sadly, many small businesses are being forced to close their doors right now as they struggle with increased prices across the board and we are getting increasingly used to reading heartfelt closure announcements.
But it’s good news for The City, for now, as it appears that the pub has not closed its doors for good. Not just yet, at least.
The Manc popped over to the pub on Tuesday afternoon to try and speak with the owners, but found the pub closed up and received no answer after knocking.
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However, reports in the Manchester Evening Newspublished on Monday confirmed that, whilst there is some truth to the rumours, hope for the boozer’s survival is not completely lost.
According to a member of staff who spoke with the paper, bosses at The City have a meeting scheduled with the council later this week to determine the historic pub’s future.
With discussions of a potential refurbishment on the cards, there is the promise of a new lease of life on the horizon.
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“We all have our fingers crossed,” the member of staff told the MEN.
The pub has a complex history and has held many different names over the years, most recently The City, a name that was adopted for it in the 1950s.
However, it has also been known as the Prince of Orange, Prince William of Gloucester, Peter’s Vaults, King’s Arms, Kings Arms Vaults Liquor Vaults and Top King, with historical records dating back to 1780.
Feature image – The Manc / The City Pub
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
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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
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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 -
6th September 2022 
