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‘We ran out of road’ – Manchester’s hidden late-night piano bar Sonata announces closure

'Venues are facing near-impossible challenges in the current climate'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 29th January 2024

Sonata, a late-night piano and jazz bar tucked down an alleyway in the heart of Manchester, has announced its immediate closure.

The hidden gem live music venue opened just 18 months ago in the summer of 2022, brought to life by Dale Bassett, a former theatrical and musical entertainer who used to perform on the London scene.

It was built in a basement unit just off Cross Street, down the alleyway that runs beside Mr Thomas’s Chop House.

With an entrance that was marked with a glowing sign and a lightbulb, it felt like a real local secret.

And despite building up a loyal following through its New York-style live music nights, Sonata has announced that it has shut down with immediate effect.

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The charming venue said that it has done ‘absolutely everything’ to try and stay afloat in the current economic climate.

They also thanked the community that has grown around the venue since its opening.

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Sonata, a jazz and piano bar in Manchester, has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Sonata, a jazz and piano bar in Manchester, has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group

Sonata’s full statement reads: “With a very heavy heart, we’re sorry to announce that Sonata has had to close its doors for the last time.

“Venues are facing near-impossible challenges in the current climate. We’ve done absolutely everything we could to keep going but, in the end, we ran out of road.

“Customers with bookings: we’ll be in touch regarding deposits in due course.

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“Thank you to our loyal supporters, our fantastic artists and our incredible team for being part of the wonderful community we’ve built together over the past 18 months.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rio Ferdinand leaving TNT Sports

Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.

Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.

However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.

In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”

Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”

Noting that TNT themselves have acquired TV rights for many more live sports in recent times, he assures he will remain an interested viewer for the “exciting future that lies ahead.”

The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.

Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.

For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.

Rio Ferdinand is helping change young lives with community programmes in Oldham and Salford

Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”

However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.

With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.

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Featured Images — Av Web Summit/James Adams (via Flickr)/TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

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Rare bat-eared foxes have arrived at Chester Zoo for the first time in more than 30 years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Bat-eared fox at Chester Zoo

It’s time to say a big hello, as rare bat-eared foxes have now arrived at Chester Zoo.

The two sisters, named Maasai and Malindi, have been welcomed by conservationists after travelling more than 500 miles from a zoo in Paris, and they are the first mammals of their kind to come to Chester Zoo in more than 30 years.

First images show the pair exploring their home in the zoo’s new Heart of Africa habitat – which officially opened to the public back in March, and is the largest zoo development ever undertaken in the UK, spanning more than 22.5 acres in size.

The adorable – but rather unique-looking – bat-eared fox is named after its distinctive oversized ears and is native to the open savannahs and arid grasslands of eastern and southern Africa.

They live for around 13 years on average, and their characteristically large ears help regulate their body temperature and enhance their incredible hearing, allowing them to prey like detect insects moving underground.

The species faces increasing threats in the wild, largely due to the loss of their habitat caused by agriculture, human encroachment, and hunting.

This is why Chester Zoo has long been at the forefront of protecting African wildlife.

Its teams’ have been supporting everything from the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking in recent years.

Bat-eared fox at Chester Zoo
Bat-eared fox at Chester Zoo
Bat-eared foxes have arrived at Chester Zoo for the first time in 30 years / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s incredibly exciting to welcome bat-eared foxes back to Chester Zoo after a 30-year hiatus,” commented David White, who is the Twilight Team Manager at Chester Zoo.

“Both Maasai and Malindi are settling in well so far, spending much of their time exploring their expansive home and getting to know their new housemates – a family of twelve Cape porcupines. These two species would often come across one another in the wild, so we’ve recreated this right here at Chester.

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“In time, we hope to introduce one of the two sisters to a male fox, with the hope that we can contribute to the European conservation breeding programme, helping to ensure there’s a healthy, genetically diverse back-up population in human care.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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