A new app titled ‘Neverspoons’ is encouraging people to choose independent pubs instead of visiting the UK chain when hospitality reopens.
Set up in the wake of the Wetherspoons boycott – which arose on social media after owners came under fire for refusing to pay suppliers in lockdown – Neverspoons provides a map of alternative pubs in the user’s local area.
Green pins denote recommended boozers, whereas red pins highlight Wetherspoons branches.
Another feature lets users generate a list of independent bars nearby their local Spoons – accompanied by distance and directions.
Neverspoons founder Shane Jones said: “Far too many traditional pubs closed down after the previous recession and it was pretty sad to see. Post lockdown could see us heading back that way.
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“There are too many of these former pubs in amazing buildings, now derelict, that used to be the central hub for a lot of communities.
“If you can put some money in the till of a smaller independent pub through the use of this app, then it’s done the job I intended it to.”
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The app currently contains more than 2,500 hand-picked pubs to choose from.
Users can also submit any others via a website form, which are uploaded to the app on a weekly basis.
Rising Manchester DJ issues heartfelt statement after Parklife set is cancelled over safety concerns
Daisy Jackson
Manchester DJ Josh Baker has issued a statement after his Parklife set was unexpectedly cancelled.
The rising star techno and house DJ was supposed to be playing on the brand-new Matinee stage on Sunday evening.
But his set attracted some huge crowds, not helped by the sudden downpour as his set was due to begin.
The area around Matinee became increasingly busy and Parklife announced that the Josh Baker performance would be paused on ‘the advice of safety team’.
Josh Baker has now issued a statement on social media to his followers as his Parklife set was due to end, signed off with a row of crying emojis.
He wrote: “Unfortunately I will not be performing at Parklife due to reason outside of my control.
Josh Baker has shared a statement after his Parklife set was cancelled. Credit: Instagram, @joshbaker
“I deeply apologise. I can’t really put into words what today was going to mean to me.”
Next on the Matinee stage should have been Chris Stussy, another name that was predicted to pull in a big crowd.
At the time of writing, The Matinee Stage remains closed but there are again large queues of fans waiting to re-enter the space.
Parklife pauses major DJ set on ‘advice of safety team’ as huge crowds swarm
Daisy Jackson
Parklife has announced it has paused one of the most hotly-tipped sets of the weekend ‘upon advice of the safety team’.
Josh Baker’s set on the brand-new Matinee stage has been attracting huge crowds from the late afternoon.
The Manchester-born DJ is a rising star in the tech and house scene and was always going to be a highlight of the festival’s line-up this year.
But his pull has maybe been a bit greater than expected, with massive crowds swarming around the Matinee stage on Sunday afternoon.
It’s been so busy that Parklife has made the decision to pause his show altogether while crowds disperse.
The warning sent on the Parklife appHow The Matinee stage looked on Saturday. Credit: The Manc Group
Security have been managing the crowds at the stage with a queue system, but when the heavens opened (and it REALLY rained at about 7pm) the area surrounding the Matinee stage became even busier.
Parklife has issued a statement on its app that reads: “Upon advice of the PL safety team, the show on the Matinee stage has been paused. We will update ASAP.”
Parklife has described Josh Baker as ‘a versatile DJ and producer, embodying the creative essence of the new wave of electronic artists’.
The Manc -
5th July 2020 
