It’s the original Manchester cocktail bar that made its name using dry ice to create smoking cocktails with a touch of magic.
Now, over a decade since its arrival on The Avenue, Spinningfields, The Alchemist is getting a makeover – to the tune of over half a million pounds, no less.
First launched here in Manchester in 2010, today The Alchemist has a string of bars not just within the city centre but across the UK.
Image: The Alchemist
Image: The Alchemist
It was the first in a flurry of adventurous Living Venture drinking dens to push the envelope when it came to Manchester’s booming cocktail culture, with the Spinningfields’ site acting as The Alchemist’s flagship venue.
Over a decade later, it’s finally getting an upgrade fit for the 2020s.
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The group intends to return to its trend-setting roots with an extensive refurbishment, promising a significant evolution in design that will “unveil the next phase and a new era for the brand concept story”.
A CGI of how The Alchemist will look after its £550k refurbishment. / Image: supplied
A new, cosmic-inspired design taking inspiration from the universe, astrology and outer space is on the cards, as are new food and drink menus.
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These promise “a significant evolution in design for The Alchemist” in what appears to be a step away from the creative alchemy, and potion-style molecular mixology that has defined it for the past twelve years.
The renovation will also include the addition of two new private areas, designed for parties enjoying late-night cocktails.
The all-day dining and cocktail space will close on 28 February for the refurbishment to take place and reopen in late March with a brand new look, followed by a new menu offering in May that pledges to introduce a new kind of theatre as part of the drinking and dining experience.
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Image: The Alchemist
Image: The Alchemist
Whilst we’re not exactly sure what that will entail yet, as new menu details are currently being kept strictly under wraps, if The Alchemist knows how to do anything, well, they certainly know how to serve dishes with flair.
Speaking on the huge refurbishment, Simon Potts, CEO, said: “The Alchemist footprint has spread across the UK over the last few years, as we’ve taken our hospitality brand down to London and up to Scotland, but we’ve always remained a Manchester company, at heart.
“The Spinningfields venue is an institution and much loved by our teams and guests alike; we look forward to bringing our new design direction to the city in March.
“The refurbishment also marks a new phase of growth for the business as we put the recent challenges behind us and look forward to the renewed evolution and expansion of the brand.”
Feature image – TripAdvisor
News
Manchester City named the most valuable football club brand in the world
Danny Jones
Manchester City have been named the most valuable football club brand in the world, topping the Brand Finance Football 50 Report for the first time in their history.
Following yet another successful season punctuated with a fifth Premier League title in six years, another FA Cup following their historic Manchester derby victory and potentially a first-ever Champions League trophy in just a few days’ time, the club has arguably never been in a stronger position.
In monetary terms, it is a simple fact: according to this year’s Brand Finance Football 50 report, Man City’s brand value has grown 34% since the COVID-19 pandemic, rising to more than £1.3 billion and overtaking European giants Real Madrid to become the most valuable club in world football.
Despite Man United being named the most valuable club in the Premier League according to Forbes’ latest rankings at the start of this month, this report suggests that Man City took in the most revenue on a global scale, reaching their all-time high notwithstanding the pandemic recovery period.
Further backing up the numbers, City also topped Deloitte’s Money League for the second year running after announcing a record revenue of £613 million and profits of £41.7 million, the latter being more than double the previous Club record — and that was before the two most recent major honours. Crikey.
Elsewhere in the report, United did jump back above Liverpool into fourth overall, with Arsenal seeing the most growth over the last year following an impressive runner-up season. As for around Europe, PSG leapfrogged German giants Bayern Munich, and AC Milan are said to be the fastest-growing Italian club.
The City Football Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Roel de Vries, said the following after the announcement: “Being recognised as the world’s most valuable football club brand reflects the phenomenal growth story that Manchester City has had in recent years.
“This achievement recognises the evolution of not just the brand, but the Club as a whole. The Club has been performing consistently and has broken records on and off the pitch this season…
“As we look to the future, we want to keep investing in the right things – our football talent, the city of Manchester and our local community, infrastructure and fan experience. We have a proven track record of innovation and are excited for the next chapter in this Club’s great history.”
Pep Guardiola and his squad are now just one game away from winning the treble, an achievement which would not only see them join an exclusive club of just seven teams to do so, such as United’s famous 1999 team, but would no doubt see their value skyrocket even further. Can they do it?
19-year-old charged with murder of man stabbed to death in Old Trafford
Emily Sergeant
A 19-year-old has been charged with murder after a man was stabbed to death in Old Trafford last week.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed that 19-year-old Demari Adrian Raymond Rose has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article after officers were called to reports of a “disturbance” at an address on Kings Road in the Old Trafford area of Manchester at around 7:45pm on Wednesday 31 May.
A 21-year-old victim – who has since been named as Salah Adam Eldin – was found seriously injured when police arrived, and despite the best efforts of the first responders, GMP confirmed that the young man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Rose was arrested in the early hours of last Saturday morning (3 June), and was remanded into custody, before appearing at Tameside Magistrates Court yesterday.
#CHARGED | GMP’s Major Incident Team charge a 19 -year-old man in connection with the murder of Salah Adam Eldin.
Demari Adrian Raymond Rose (19/12/03) of no fixed abode has been charged with murder and possession of a bladed article.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2023
A further two teenage males were arrested on the night of the attack in connection with the murder – a 15-year-old on suspicion of murder, and a 16-year-old on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in the nearby area – but GMP has revealed they have both been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Salah’s family are continuing to be supported by officers, GMP assured, and are also being continuously updated with the progress being made in the investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Liz Hopkinson, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said in a statement when Rose was arrested last week that the force “recognises the impact this tragic event will have on the friends and family of Salah,” and insisted that their thoughts remain with them as they “come to terms with this loss in terrible circumstances”.
DCI Hopkinson also reissued an urgent appeal to the public for witnesses and information, as well as any CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage.
19-year-old charged with murder of man stabbed to death in Old Trafford / Credit: Google Maps
“Whilst we have made a number of arrests,” DCI Hopkinson continued, “we are still in the early stages of a murder investigation and are working hard to piece together the timeline of events.
“We are also keeping an open mind and are continuing to appeal to members of the public to share any information they might have about this case with the police.
“It is believed the two offenders were riding a black mountain bike and a yellow Council Beryl bicycle, and enquiries also suggest there were approximately five people in the area at the time of the murder who may have vital information that could assist the investigation.”
Georgina Pellant -
15th February 2022 
