Landlords at Stockport gastro pub The Midway have left punters welling up after sharing news of their planned retirement in an emotional tribute.
Posting on the pub’s Facebook page on Sunday, 30 July, married couple Paul and Pauline – who have been fixtures at the pub ever since 1999 – revealed they had taken the decision to retire this October in order to spend more time with their family.
The couple shared their heartfelt thanks to both customers and staff as they revealed their last day at the pub would be on 1 October 2023.
They also reflected on three decades spent serving the people of Stockport, 25 of which have been dedicated to The Midway.
In that period, the duo has taken the boozer from a dilapidated shell to one of the region’s best pubs – leading it to take home the North West Pub of the Year Award this year.
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Reflecting on their time there, they told followers: “We are both so proud of what we have achieved at The Midway over the last 25 years.
“When we arrived in January 1999, the pub was closed and in disrepair and now, in our final year of trading, we were thrilled to win the North West Pub of the Year Award, which is something that we and our team are elated by and it is a perfect note for us to end on.”
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Image: The MIdway
Image: The Midway
They continued to thank their front-of-house and kitchen teams by name, before adding: “The Midway has built its reputation as a premium food destination in Stockport and that is as a direct result of all our team operating at the top of their game.”
Writing that it had been a ‘privilege’ to serve the people of Stockport for so many years, they added: “we are so thankful for the great number of you who have supported us during these years and who we now proudly call friends.”
As a testament to the landlords’ popularity, since being shared last night the post has been liked over 400 times and been inundated with comments from well-wishers – many of whom, it seems, have been there right from the start.
One person wrote: “I wish you both all the best in your new chapter. I loved working with you both at the Blarney, and also the Midway at the very start. I have some great memories, and i have made some great friends along the way.
“You have both put 100% into everything that you do, and it shows! What a fabulous place, you have built. From excellent food to friendly welcoming staff. I am sure your team will miss you both very much. Good luck and lots of love, Mr and Mrs T.”
Another person said: “Best of luck with whatever you have planned next, had some great times in the Blarney and the Midway. You both will be sadly missed. But all the best.”
A third added: “Was great being there in the early days of both pubs and having a good laugh ( usually at my expense) along the way…. Running down St Petersgate shouting after Deaf Michael has to be up there. Wishing you both the best of luck for the future and here’s hoping Paul and his brother don’t take up singing again”
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A fourth wrote: “13 years ago I met a friend one evening for some tea & fudge cake & as the cake arrived I went into labour with my son! Luckily, I only lived opposite at the time ”
Owners confirmed their last day at the pub would be 1 October, adding that they “look forward to seeing The Midway go from strength to strength and continue to build in its next chapter.”
Featured image – The Midway
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‘Christmas chaos’ on the cards as Manchester tram drivers vote on staging strike action next month
Emily Sergeant
There could be major disruption to festive travel in Greater Manchester next month, as hundreds of tram drivers are currently voting on whether to strike.
Almost 320 tram drivers are being balloted over working conditions and fears around fatigue.
The drivers – who are members of the union, Unite – all work for KeolisAmey Metrolink Limited at the Warwick Road South and Queens Road depots in Manchester – and they operate trams on all routes in Greater Manchester.
As it stands, the drivers’ shift patterns currently mean they have to work 450 hours over a 12-week period, which results in some having to work 50 hours on, followed by just two days off, then back into another 50-hour work pattern.
Drivers also have fewer rest days compared to all other operational departments, and this is said to be causing safety concerns around fatigue.
‘Christmas chaos’ is on the cards as Manchester tram drivers are currently voting on staging strike action next month / Credit: TfGM
Drivers say they concerned about operating heavy vehicles while exhausted and unable to have proper breaks, but after raising the issue with management, Unite has been told there is ‘no funding available’ to support any ‘meaningful’ improvements to working patterns.
Instead, management has asked drivers to start work earlier – which Unite says is only ‘adding insult to injury’.
The ballot is set to close on 11 November, and if drivers vote in favour of industrial action, strikes could then begin in late November, causing widespread cancellations and delays throughout the region during the busy festive shopping period – particularly coinciding with Manchester’s world-famous Christmas Markets, known for attracting millions of visitors to the city each year.
“Any strike action will cause a great deal of disruption but it is entirely the fault of Metrolink, which is not taking the issue of driver fatigue seriously,” commented Unite Regional Officer, Colin Hayden.
“It is dangerous for fatigued workers to be driving trams and they should not be put in this situation.
“We are demanding that Metrolink and Transport for Greater Manchester work with Unite to find a solution to this problem to avoid industrial action.”
Featured Image – Janus Boye
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A local Manc content creator is looking to set a world record by running around Old Trafford
Danny Jones
A local content creator, who specialises in running/hiking content (and sandwiches), is looking to raise money and potentially set a world record by jogging around Old Trafford.
Oh, and by jogging, we mean running – for a really, REALLY long time…
If you’ve never come across his channel before, let us introduce you to local influencer and videographer Sam Matthew, a.k.a. ‘Peaks and Pubs‘.
Boasting plenty of fans on both Instagram and TikTok within the world of trail running, the outdoors community and beyond, he’s set to toastreaching a very specific achievement by “turning a milestone into a mission” and doing laps around Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United Football Club.
As explained in the video, he’s now surpassed 74,310 followers, i.e. the same capacity of supporters you can fit inside the Theatre of Dreams itself.
We know, it’s distance running and feats of endurance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but they are a great way of raising money and awareness, not to mention possibly getting yourself in the official Guinness Book of World Records.
Explaining the challenge in the caption of the video, Sam writes: “There’s now enough of you lot following this daft account of mine on here to fill a stadium I’ve adored since I was a little boy. And that genuinely means so much to me.
“So why not celebrate the occasion by punishing my legs and raising money for good causes along the way? Donations are, of course, the aim, but I understand that not everybody is in the position to do that, so any engagement on this post is hugely appreciated.
“I mean it from the bottom of my heart that you lot genuinely make this all happen for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful that I get to do silly stuff like this on a random Wednesday [29 October]. Giving off pure ‘your unemployed friend on a Wednesday’ vibes, but I love it!”
Raising money for the club’s in-house Manchester United Foundation, which has already shown its support for the upcoming ultra-marathon distance event, they are also looking to generate crucial funds with the return of another annual charity event too.
The Foundation does some incredible work all year-round, if you’d rather swap running around Old Trafford for sleeping.
Once again, Sam will be kicking off the serious step-count from approximately 9am this Wednesday (28 Oct), he’s estimating it’ll take him around a whopping nine and a half hours, “with plenty of breaks for food and fluids”, thank god.
As the man behind most of the Bada Bing videos, we expect plenty of butties to fuel the running.
Furthermore, although he’s set to take on the distance solo for the morning, he’s invited as many people who fancy getting involved to come and join him for a lap or two from 12 noon onwards; hopefully, he’ll see the Guinness people popping along to see if he registers a world record while he’s at it, too.
We hope there are a few pints at the pub waiting for you at the end, as always, Sam.
Georgina Pellant -
31st July 2023 
