Two suspected burglars attempted to avoid capture by Stockport police by hiding inside beer barrels following a chase on Saturday.
The duo had initially sped away after being identified as potential car thieves – racing off in the direction of Robinsons Brewery.
Both suspects then abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot.
After a search of the area, police found the pair hiding in beer barrels around the back of the brewery.
Both were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, and burglary.
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2 arrested theft of motor vehicle/dang driving/wanted for burglary Sat night by PC's H & M #TransportUnit after pursuit in Stockport-Suspects ran from car & found hiding in beer barrels at back of @robbiesbrewery hoptimistic if they thought they were going to stay hidden there pic.twitter.com/MB6jGsq69v
Police quipped on Twitter that the suspects had been ‘hoptimisitic’ they’d remain hidden in the beer barrels until police left the scene.
Robinsons is one of the best-known breweries in the region – owning over 200 pubs in the North West.
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The brewery has been operating since 1849 – after William Robinson purchased The Unicorn pub on Lower Hillgate in Stockport from Samuel Hole eleven years prior.
Cold case solved after 34 years as Stockport man is jailed for indecent assault and attempted rape
Emily Sergeant
A cold case has finally been solved after more than three decades, as a man has been jailed for indecent assault and attempted rape.
Aron Traynor, 56, of London Road in Stockport, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court last Friday (8 May 2026) for the violent indecent assault and attempted rape of a then 74-year-old woman all the way back in 1992.
The conviction follows a renewed cold case investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Cold Case Unit, as well as advances in forensic science that allowed the evidence to be re‑examined.
The victim – who has sadly since passed away – was attacked by a stranger while walking near her home.
Despite extensive forensic work at the time, no suspect was identified, and the case remained under ‘active review’. Then in 2005, the Cold Case Unit commissioned further forensic analysis, producing a near‑complete DNA profile that was added to the National DNA Database… unfortunately though, no match was found at that time.
A breakthrough came when a DNA sample taken from Traynor following an unrelated arrest for drink-driving in August 2023 matched the profile developed by the Cold Case Unit, finally bringing long‑awaited justice for the victim’s family.
In October 2023, the Cold Case Unit was formally notified of the DNA match, and Traynor was arrested shortly afterwards.
A five‑day jury trial in March 2026 found him guilty on both charges, and last week, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
Speaking following Traynor’s sentencing last week, Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hughes said: “Time is quite simply no barrier to justice.
“Today’s sentencing shows that we never close investigations into serious violent or sexual offences. DNA is crucial, but it’s the painstaking work of our officers – revisiting evidence, tracing witnesses, and rebuilding the investigative picture – that ultimately brings offenders to justice.
“Offenders should be in no doubt that forensic science continues to advance, and every interaction they have with the criminal justice system increases the chance of their crimes being uncovered.”
Featured Image – GMP
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10 major restaurants and bars that have closed in Manchester already this year
Daisy Jackson
We are barely a quarter of the way through the year, and already it feels like Manchester is having a brutal year of restaurant and bar closures.
Already this year we’ve bid farewell to restaurants that should, in any other economic climate, stood the test of time.
We’re talking long-standing neighbourhood favourites, restaurants that have caught the eye of the prestigious Michelin Guide, local institutions, and award-winning bars.
But, with the hospitality industry battling ever-increasing costs and a stark lack of support from the Government, we might be seeing a lot more of this to come, industry insiders have warned.
We’ve rounded up 10 restaurant and bar closures that have shocked Manchester already this year.
Climat
Climat has laid their finances bare in their closing statementMichelin-recommended rooftop restaurant Climat has closed its doors with immediate effect
A real wake-up call for everyone about the dire circumstances facing hospitality landed last month, when Climat closed its doors for good. Despite a Michelin Guide recommendation, rave reviews across the board, and an enviable location with views across Manchester, the finances for the restaurant just didn’t stack up. And they were brutally honest about those finances in their closing statement. Climat’s founder listed an annual energy bill of £112k a year, a 33% increase in staff wages, and a jump in business rates from £12,000 a year to £38,000 a year among the reasons for its closure.
One of the Northern Quarter’s longest-standing restaurants announced it would be closing its doors for good back in February. In a brutally honest statement TNQ said that it had become ‘no longer viable’ to run the restaurant, listing costs like an £8k a month energy bill. This independent business said it was focused on paying the staff ‘every penny they’re owed’ and finding them all new jobs in the industry.
KAJI
Glitzy Manchester restaurant KAJI has quietly shut downKAJI
KAJI opened on Bridge Street back in 2022, a big glitzy, futuristic restaurant space with a modern Japanese menu, which quickly drew in all sorts of glamorous customers (like when Ilkay Gundogan’s wife – who had famously described Manchester’s restaurant scene as ‘horrible’ – actually liked the food here).
But despite a rebrand from MUSU to KAJI and pulling in some impressive chefs, it appears that this glamorous spot has closed for good last month, with repossession notices now in the windows.
The restaurant remained silent on its closure, but it’s no longer possible to book a table here.
Restaurant Orme
Restaurant Orme in Urmston has announced its shock closure. Credit: Instagram, @littlemcrhouse
This is a bit of a weird one because it hasn’t actually closed yet – but Restaurant Orme in Urmston has notified followers that with ‘great sadness’ they are intending to sell the business.
In a statement, the Michelin-recommended restaurant acknowledged the ‘significant economic pressures’ facing the restaurant industry, writing: “We find an increasing disparity between perceived value and the true cost of operations, rendering long-term sustainability unfeasible.”
But they also detailed that a break in their lease has allowed them to ‘thoughtfully consider’ their circumstances and make the ‘right choice for our growing families’.
You’ve still got time to visit, but I wouldn’t delay.
Topkapi
Just this month, we’ve had to bid goodbye to a bit of a local institution.
Topkapi Palace has closed its doors on Deansgate after almost five decades in the city, making it the longest-running Turkish restaurant in Manchester.
This one triggered a wave of discussion, with one local operator warning: “If we keep letting places like this go, we lose more than food, we lose culture, history, identity.”
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders bar in Manchester has closed with immediate effect
This one maybe stuck around for a bit longer than anyone expected, if we’re being honest, but the enormous Peaky Blinders-inspired bar on Peter Street shut down back in March.
Peaky Blinders opened back in 2018 in the former Sakana site, with plenty of nods to the popular Netflix series – including oil paintings of the main characters on the wall.
Peaky Blinders said in a statement: “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we unfortunately have to announce the closure of Peaky Blinders Manchester with immediate effect. We are devastated it has had to end this way, but grateful for the journey.”
It was known and loved for its epic happy hour deals and its bottomless brunches, but glitzy Spinningfields bar Banyan shut down right at the start of this year.
It’s part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, and still operates another Banyan across town at the Corn Exchange.
Their sign in the door read: “Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
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House of Fu
One of Manchester’s coolest ramen spots quietly closed its doors in March, saying the site just ‘doesn’t click’.
House of Fu opened just two and a half years ago on Portland Street, following major success across in Leeds.
They wrote: “It’s been a wild two and a half years. To say the economic landscape has been challenging would be a bit of an understatement, but sometimes a site just doesn’t click. You live and hopefully learn.”
Project Halcyon
Project Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc GroupProject Halcyon also made the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list. Credit: The Manc Group
Project Halcyon was formerly named one of the best cocktail bars in the UK, famed for its speakeasy-style setting that drew inspiration from Prohibition-era Chicago.
But it closed for good back in February, writing: “Project Halcyon has poured its last cocktail.
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“It was with sincere regret that due to unexpected challenges at the ownership level we must close our doors for the foreseeable. Though we say goodbye, the memories live on.
“Thank you to everyone who shared in our craft, our community, and our story.”
Simmons
London-born bar brand Simmons closed their Manchester site just over a year after opening their first Northern location, right in the heart of one of town’s busiest nightlife strips.
An otherwise well-established and popular chain down south, Simmons had a total of 15 different bars in central London, but things clearly didn’t quite take off as planned here in Manchester.
They wrote: “It’s never easy to say goodbye. We’re incredibly proud of what the team built here and so grateful to them, as well as everyone who joined us over the past year.
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“We’ve had some unforgettable nights. We love Manchester, and we hope to be back under the right conditions.”
The Manc -
16th March 2021 
