Petition launched to save Manchester’s legendary metal pub Grand Central from closure

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.

“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.”

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.

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.”

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.

Featured Image – Facebook (Grand Central)