A petition to save one of Manchester’s legendary metal pubs from permanent closure has racked up hundreds of signatures.
It was sadly announced last Friday that the city centre’s staple metal music and gig venue, Grand Central, would be permanently closing its doors after being an Oxford Street stalwart for over 20 years.
Rumours had already begun circulating that the wildly-popular haunt would be calling it a day during it its temporary closure amid the COVID-19 pandemic – with the venue confirming on social media that it would not be reopening on the country’s so-called ‘Freedom Day’ last Monday as it “had a few things to sort first”.
Now, just a week after that initial announcement, the venue announced that it would “not be reopening the way it was”.
Breaking the news in a statement shared to Facebook, alongside a group photo of all the staff members, Grand Central said: “The stories are true, Grand Central won’t be re opening the way it was.
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“All the now former staff want to thank Tom for everything he has done for us and for giving the alternative scene a home for the last 20+ years [and] I’m sure everyone has stories connected to this little pub.
“Thank you to everyone for all your custom over the years, we will miss you.”
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The venue also urged fans to come together and share their memories of times spent there over the years in a bid to not “let the memory of GRAND F***ING CENTRAL die”.
Not long after the closure announcement was made on Facebook, hundreds of people flocked to share their sadness at the news, with many saying it’s “devastating” for the city’s alternative scene, and that “Manchester has just lost a main part of its culture”.
“I will never forget this place and everyone I have either served or had the pleasure to have a drink with,” one Facebook user wrote.
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Another person said: “Absolutely gutted isn’t even the word. Everyone was so nice and there was never ever trouble there, I’ve had some banging convos with people I didn’t even know I would always start my nights out there – I will miss you terribly.”
Grand Central has announced that it will “not be reopening the way it was” / Credit: Grand Central
Some punters have been so devastated by the closure news that they decided to take matters into their own hands and launch a petition to save the venue – which is believed to have been acquired by the Stonegate Pubs group.
Organised by Emma Gould and directed at Stonegate Brewery, the petition reads: “One of the last few remaining sanctuaries for the rock/metal/alternative folk in and around Manchester. Our venues keep disappearing and it’s time to stand up and say ”we’re not gonna take it”.
“Even if it doesn’t achieve anything, our voices need to be heard and the brewery need to realise exactly how this will impact us.”
Having already racked up over 600 signatures and counting, you can sign the petition here.
Flash sale launches with two-for-one tickets to some of Manchester’s biggest gigs
Thomas Melia
Two upcoming Manchester gigs are having a flash sale where you can get your hands on some very limited 2 for 1 tickets.
The two biggest arenas in Manchester are hosting exclusive discounts on two of the biggest upcoming Manchester gigs.
If you’re after tickets to Co-op Live’s offering you’ll have to act fast as they have a legend in attendance, quite literally, as John Legend is set to take to the stage on Thursday 29 May.
It’s a very special gig for the singer-songwriter as he celebrates 20 years of ‘Get Lifted’ where Mr. Legend will be playing tracks from his debut album like ‘Ordinary People’, sprinkling in more hits too.
AO Arena are also running a limited 2 for 1 ticket discount and we’re certain it’s about to get ‘Hot In Herre’ as St. Louis MC Nelly brings his UK tour to this very stage along with a troupe of famous stars.
Anyone interested in finding ‘Where The Party At’ doesn’t have to look much further than Saturday 7 June when Nelly brings his tour to Manchester with Eve, St. Lunatics, Jermaine Dupri and Fabolous.
Co-op Live is running a limited 2 for 1 offer on John Legend tickets.AO Arena have a 2 for 1 flash sale on tickets to see Nelly and special guests.Credit:Publicity Picture (via Supplied) / Flickr
‘Let Me Blow Ya Mind’ because these tickets are too good to pass on especially when you get the opportunity to see all these rap legends under the same roof for less than three figures at £90.
And we’re giving you the ‘Green Light’ about John Legend and his upcoming ‘Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour’ when we say these 2 for 1 tickets total at £70, It’s ‘Written In The Stars’.
Anyone after 2 for 1 tickets for John Legend and his upcoming ‘Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour’ can find this exclusive running until 28 May HERE.
And there’s no ‘Dilemma’ in sight as you can get 2 for 1 tickets to see Nelly and his music crew on their ‘Where The Party At’ tour HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group / Publicity Picture (via Supplied) / Flickr
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Travel warning issued as Manchester prepares for big night of music and football
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year, as two huge music legends take to the stage and the football season draws to a close.
There’s no denying that Manchester‘s social calendar has been getting busier and the summer starts to arrive, and we all know we’ve got a huge weekend of festivals coming up to celebrate the late May bank holiday, but it actually seems like tonight (20 May) may be one of the busiest nights the city has seen all year so far.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging people to make the most of public transport and active travel options, as nearly 100,000 people are expected into the city for two huge concerts and a footballing finale tonight.
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen is set to play to a sold-out Co-op Live, pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her ‘Tension Tour’ to the AO Arena, and Manchester City play their final home game of the season at the Etihad Stadium with an 8pm kick-off.
Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year / Credit: TfGM
Not only is it a big deal that two of music‘s biggest names are performing in the city tonight, but over at the Etihad, it will also be legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s final home game for Manchester City.
At the Etihad Campus, it’s expected that there will be a crossover with City and Springsteen fans arriving at the same time for their respective events, and then with City planning a ‘lap of appreciation’ following the final whistle for De Bruyne’s departure, it’s thought that both the football and music fans could be leaving at a similar time too.
This is why a travel warning has been issued, and as always, it’s advised to ‘plan ahead’.
If possible, TfGM is recommending that it’s best to travel to and from your respective events outside peak times, as this is when the roads and tram network will be at their busiest, so instead, Springsteen fans may wish to take advantage of the 4:30pm early entry at Co-op Live.
Alternatively, there will also be express and shuttle bus services to and from Co-op Live and the Etihad Campus for both Springsteen and City fans, as well as trams – many with ‘double trams’ – operating every six-minutes from the city centre, and several ‘Park & Ride’ options for those wishing to drive.
Those who choose to travel by car, though, it should be noted that there will be a closure on Chapel Street heading towards Salford (westbound), between Blackfriars Road and New Bailey Street, and although a diversion is in place, you may want to plan an alternative route.
For Kylie fans, the AO Arena is served by multiple tram and train lines, and bus networks, all of which will be running throughout the day, as well as being just a 15-minute walk from the heart of Manchester too.
Emily Sergeant -
27th July 2021 
