Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser has taken to social media this morning to provide an update and share a new hope in the fight to save Deaf Institute and Gorilla.
It was sadly announced yesterday evening that Deaf Institute and Gorilla – two independent venues that are integral to Manchester’s music scene and a part of the lifeblood of the city – would close indefinitely as a result of struggling to see the future after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
It shocked the world of music in Manchester and beyond.
The announcement offered a stark reality into the effects of the pandemic on the arts/entertainment industry and prompted a mass outpouring of support online, as many began to rally around the venues and join in the fight to save them.
Now, Sacha Lord – Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester – took to Twitter this morning to share an update from overnight and reassure fans that “there is hope”.
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He confirmed there is interest from “potential buyers” and has personally written to owners Mission Mars.
Mr Lord’s tweet read: “Gorilla and Deaf Institute update: There is hope. Over night I have received interest from potential buyers.”
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“This morning I have written to Mission Mars asking them to share with me the sale details.”
“Further updates will follow.”
Gorilla and Deaf Institute update: There is hope. Over night I have received interest from potential buyers. This morning I have written to Mission Mars asking them to share with me the sale details. Further updates will follow.
Please keep pushing this. As one of the managers of Gorilla I can say that the loss of these sites is not only a tragedy for the live music scene but is also genuinely heartbreaking for our whole team. Gorilla is more than just a place of work; it's home.
Of course Shell. Anyone who knows me knows that I love these two places. Please be assured that I will be working with @Sacha_Lord on this and we will both be doing everything we possibly can to save them as live music venues going forward. https://t.co/7BcyfEAaXR
Love to see it. If anyone can keep both Deaf Institute and Gorilla alive it’s @AndyBurnhamGM and @Sacha_Lord. Probably two of the people we’ve spotted inside those venues more than anyone else ?? https://t.co/dib9HWxUlx
Following the closure announcement yesterday, Roy Ellis – CEO and Founder of Mission Mars – encouraged any interested buyers to get in touch. He said: “The Deaf Institute and Gorilla have been at the forefront of the music scene in Manchester for many years and it is with great sadness that we announce that we will not be reopening.”
“This difficult decision has been made against the backdrop of COVID 19 and the enforced closure of all of our sites and with continued restrictions upon opening of live music venues.”
“We appreciate that these music destinations are well loved and have provided an early stage for many acts in the North West and are therefore well known in the world of music, [and] we would encourage any industry and music entrepreneurs who might be interested in this as an opportunity to please get in touch.”
He closed out his statement thanking the “hardworking teams and guests and followers for their loyal support over years”.
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Snoop Dogg says he’s a massive Coronation Street fan and is ‘determined’ to get a role on the show
Emily Sergeant
Yes, it’s true – in what is news that admittedly sounds fake, but somehow actually isn’t, one of the best rappers of all time has revealed himself to be an avid watcher of Britain’s longest-running soap, and is such a fan of it, in fact, that he said he’s “determined” to make an appearance on it sometime in the future.
The iconic ITV soap – which is set in the fictional Manchester suburb of Weatherfield, and celebrated an impressive 60 years of entertaining the masses back in 2020 – currently averages around six million viewers per episode, and has developed a well-deserved legion of loyal fans over the last six decades.
And it turns out, one of those loyal fans is chart-topping rap superstar Snoop Dogg.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun this week, the 51-year-old first spoke about how he’s “down to perform” at King Charles III‘s Coronation in a couple of months time, before he launching into how much he loves another type of coronation.
“Coronation Street, I love it,” the 17-time Grammy Award nominee admitted.
Snoop Dogg says he’s a massive Coronation Street fan / Credit: ITV / The Manc Group
“If they call me I’ll do it. I’ll play whenever they need. I love the cinematography, acting, the storylines and just the reality.
“I’d like to be a part of it because they’ve been a part of my culture.”
As bizarre as it all sounds, this surprisingly isn’t the first time the rapper – whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr – has publicly revealed he’s a fan of the soap, and even famously admitted all the way back in 2010 that he had his agent get in touch with ITV to see if there was any chance he could make an appearance.
“I had my agent reach out to them to see if they could try to get me on and they said they were interested so hopefully it might happen,” Snoop told the BBC.
“It would be perfect for me to be on the show.”
The chart-topping rapper says he’s ‘determined’ to get a role on it / Credit: ITV
The Drop It Like It’s Hot and The Next Episode rapper isn’t the only famous name who’s revealed himself to be a fan of Coronation Street in recent months.
One of the greatest and most well-respected singer songwriters of all time, Bob Dylan, also admitted in an interview with WSJ back in December 2022 that he loves binge-watching the soap.
Dylan explained that that he’s “no fan of packaged programs or news shows”, and that the ITV soap makes him “feel at home” despite being “old-fashioned”.
Featured Image – ITV / The Manc Group
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Craig David announces huge outdoor gig at Barton Aerodrome in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Craig David is bringing his legendary TS5 party to Manchester for a massive outdoor summer show.
The legendary singer, songwriter and DJ will be taking over City Airport in Manchester, also known as Barton Aerodrome.
The special show will combine old school anthems with R&B, garage, and bashment, alongside plenty of contemporary hits.
Craig David, who rocketed to fame in the late 1990s, first launched his TS5 parties, where he sings, MCs and DJs, as an exclusive pre-party at his own penthouse in Miami.
Initially, Craig used them as a way to play his favourite music to the people he loved the most – but it proved such a hit that he started to take it on the road.
Craig David presents TS5 at Barton Aerodrome. Credit: Supplied
Guaranteed to be a great night out, Craig David Presents TS5 is now heading to Manchester for a summer show.
The star has sold more than 15 million albums, secured more than 10 top 10 hits, and achieved multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries around the world.
His TS5 shows now sell out at prestigious venues across the globe, and he’s even taken it to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
The unique live concert will take place at City Airport in Manchester on Friday 14 July, just outside the city – the huge space surrounded by lush green fields will be transformed with epic light and sound productions.
You can expect a night of sing-along hits, good time grooves and Craig David classics.
Tickets will go on sale from 9am on Friday 31 March with Skiddle.
Emily Sergeant -
17th July 2020 
