A bar in Stockport has banned drinkers from wearing sportswear, caps and ‘manbags’ from entering in a move that has led to some mixed reactions from punters.
Bask, opened by DJ Gareth Books on Stockport Exchange last year, announced on Twitter that it would no longer be “admitting anyone with trackies, hoodies, caps, sportswear, manbags” during the evenings on Friday and Saturday nights.
The new rule has been introduced as the bar implements what it calls a “smart casual dress code” from 7pm on the two busiest evenings of the week.
The full post read: “From 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays we’ll be running a smart casual dress code. For the weekend nights we won’t be admitting anyone with trackies, hoodies, caps, sportswear, manbags. We look forward to seeing you all this weekend when @mrgarethbrooks returns to the decks.”
However, the new rule has sparked outrage amongst some with customers taking to Twitter to voice their thoughts – and quite a few of them are saying the same thing.
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A number joked that Bask owner Gareth Brooks – a self-proclaimed sneakerhead whose Twitter bio reads “Yeah I got on sneaks but I need a new pair” – will now be turned away by bouncers himself as a result.
The XS Manchester DJ is regularly pictured in a cap, trainers, and other sportswear, and has shared numerous pictures of new Nike trainers on his Instagram over the years.
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For this reason, some people couldn’t help but point out the irony of his bar’s new rule.
Image: DJ Gareth Brooks via Instagram
Image: DJ Gareth Brooks via Instagram
One person asked if he would start “DJing from outside” on the weekends, whilst another replied: “Manbags! That @mrgarethbrooks not getting in!”
Others, meanwhile, accused the management of generalising against sportswear fans, with one user replying: “Bit vague innit. Plenty of folk wear caps out nowadays that aren’t chavs or scrotes.”
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Another person simply replied with a link to Scottish comedian Limmy’s Smart/Casual sketch, which depicts a group of middle-aged men in shirts and blazers brawling, wolf-whistling, being sick in the toilets and then, finally, waking up on a bench in a state the following morning.
From 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays we’ll be running a smart casual dress code.
For the weekend nights we won’t be admitting anyone with trackies, hoodies, caps, sportswear, manbags.
However, some have replied in support of the post with one person tweeting: “manbags should just be a barring offence full stop.”
Another called the rule a “good choice”, before adding: “Trackies, hoodies and caps are for lazy people who don’t care about their appearance or their surroundings. It’s become Stockport’s uniform of choice and is simply a lack of class.”
Owner Gareth Brooks has told The Manc that he feels that trainers do not count as sportswear and that customers can wear these to the bar as part of their ‘smart casual’ look.
However, punters wearing other items in the athleisure category such as caps, trackies and ‘manbags’ attempting to enter after 7pm on Friday and Saturday nights will be turned away.
It’s not the first time a bar has caused uproar by banning trainers, but as we’ve seen in the past – where there is a will, there is often a way.
Last year, a local lad managed to sneak his way into a club after being turned away for wearing white trainers but pulled his friend’s black socks over them so it looked like he was wearing a different pair of shoes.
Who knows, perhaps this technique will soon be adopted in Stockport too. For now, only time will tell.
Feature image – Bask / Gareth Brooks
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Police appeal for witnesses after possible attempted kidnap of 11-year-old girl in Irlam
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following the possible attempted kidnap of an 11-year-old girl in Irlam.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 8:30am yesterday (14 January 2025), the young girl – who was walking to school at the time – reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street in Irlam, close to the junction of Cutnook Lane.
It is believed the pair had been driving in the area in a car and a van, according to police.
The two then grabbed hold of the girl, before she was able to run away and later inform an adult of what had happened.
The male the police are hoping to gain information on is described as white, approximately 5ft 9 inches tall, with short dark hair and clean-shaven, and he was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie at the time, while the female is described as white, and was wearing leggings and a black hoodie.
The car is described as a black four-door vehicle, while the van was small, white, and new-looking and with a sliding door.
#APPEAL | Detectives are appealing for information after a girl was approached and grabbed in Salford.
At around 8.30am today, an 11-year-old girl walking to school reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street, Irlam.
In the interest of public safety while police are currently investigating the incident, extra officers have been deployed to the local area for reassurance as their enquiries continue, GMP has confirmed.
Appealing to the public, officers are also asking anyone who lives in the area to check for any relevant dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from around the time of the incident, and anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious is also asked to contact police.
“This is of course a concerning and distressing incident and I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to investigate the circumstances,” explained Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from GMP’s Salford district.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed something or has footage from around the time of the incident, and we would urge anyone with any information to please get in touch, as your assistance could be greatly beneficial to our work.
“We are ensuring that the girl and the family are being kept-up-to date and supported at this time.”
Information can be passed on to 101 or via the GMP Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1205 of 14/01/25, or alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Strangeways declared ‘threat to national security’ following drone deliveries of drugs, weapons and more
Danny Jones
A recent trend at HMP Manchester has been declared a “threat to national security” after it was learned that drones have been regularly delivering drugs, weapons and more into the facility formerly known as Strangewaysalong with other UK prisons.
It’s said there were roughly 220 drone sightings over the past year or so – more than any other prison in the country – and issues around contraband, violence, hygiene and more have been on the increase ever since. HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire was found to be similarly neglected.
A rife drug and rat problem was found following a surprise autumn inspection between September and October; it is now evident that the chronic issues have been exacerbated by a major security breach as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, says police have “ceded airspace” over facilities.
The most recent report on conditions at HMP Manchester and Long Lartin was published on Tuesday, 14 January and, in short, it insists that huge investment is needed in order to curb the crisis.
Credit: HM Inspectorate of Prisons
Drones, corruption and a lack of investment have seen Strangeways maintain its reputation
A top-line assessment of Strangeways found that many of the sticking points came down not only to the advent of drones delivering items such as phones, drugs, weapons and other “large payloads” weighing up to as much as 7kg, but merely “poor physical security” and concerns regarding corruption.
Most notably, high-risk prisoners who Taylor described as “extremely dangerous” have been burning holes in cell windows in order to pick up drone deliveries. The ease with which these exchanges are able to take place comes down to what he simply calls “slow action”.
There has been a damning failure to spot, repair and/or replace these panels, as well as the torn netting over exercise yards, meaning that drone operators have an easier task when dropping their packages into the 158-year-old penitentiary.
According to the report, “a staggering 39% of prisoners had tested positive in mandatory drug tests at Manchester” (50% at Long Lartin) and a simple survey found that drugs and alcohol were “easy” to acquire inside Strangeways.
In addition to the rodent infestation, general hygiene looks to have plummeted to new lows in recent times too, with “widespread dirt, damp and litter” as well as vandalism in several areas. Inmates have also been tearing up mattresses to insulate windows from the cold.
Numbers relating to assault, self-harm, suicide and more have also risen since the last major inspection in 2021. By all accounts, it remains one of Britain’s most dangerous prisons for a whole host of reasons.
There has also been a significant drop-off when it comes to socialisation and rehabilitation efforts, as the work day, learning and general activities look to have dwindled too.
Taylor signed off by writing: “The safety of staff, prisoners and ultimately that of the public, is seriously compromised by the failure to tackle what has become a threat to national security.
“The prison service, the police and other security services must urgently confront organised gang activity and reduce the supply of drugs and other illicit items which so clearly undermine every aspect of prison life.” To put it simply, he says the situation is “highly alarming.”
It may not make for pleasant reading, but if you want a clearer picture of the current conditions inside Strangeways prison or to learn more about the growing advent of smuggling drones, you can read the extensive 67-page report in full HERE.
Broken cell windowDamage and dirtThe state of a kitchenette (Credit: HMIP)
Georgina Pellant -
9th November 2022 
