Our beloved sporting city’s premier ice hockey team, Manchester Storm, are hosting their annual fan-favourite Retro Night this weekend and it’s set to be a stormer. Pun absolutely intended.
The Storm and the Elite Ice Hockey League as a whole are no strangers to unique events and special occasions throughout the season but this one, in particular, is up there with the most popular of all on the calendar simply because of the unrivalled nostalgia factor.
Set to face off against the Guildford Flames on Saturday at 7pm, both teams will be rolling back the years and pulling on jerseys of the past. In the case of Manchester Storm, they’ll be donning a revamped version of their 1996/97 shirt, commonly known as the ‘Eye of the Storm’.
The league-wide initiative takes place every year for at least a week and on top of getting to look back on the club’s wonderful history, the night is packed with plenty more action too.
— Manchester Storm | #WeAreStorm (@Mcr_Storm) March 3, 2023
For starters, Retro Night isn’t just about the players wearing old kits: it’s about everyone getting involved, having a laugh and a good time.
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With that in mind, they’re encouraging fans to turn up their finest 90’s garms and there’ll even be some fun and exclusive themed prizes awarded to the best dressed. No, we’re not going to tell you what they are — the incentive alone should be enough for you to get involved.
Furthermore, there’ll be plenty of 90’s anthems being played before puck-drop as well as during the break, and considering Manchester pretty much smashed that decade (if we do say so ourselves), you can expect plenty of Oasis, Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, not to mention The Prodigy, Blur, Weezer and plenty more era-defining artist being played.
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As if that wasn’t enough, there’s even going to be plenty of 90’s nostalgia TV playing, including some old-school Manchester Storm footage from the ‘Arena’ days that the young’uns might have never seen.
90'𝘀 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗨𝗣
If you're signed up to our official newsletter, you'll have read today that we will be selecting SIX of the best dressed fans to have a post-game photo on the ice with the entire squad! Be sure to dress to impress, Manchester! ⛈️ #WeAreStorm | #RetroNightpic.twitter.com/yWTW6NP9hP
— Manchester Storm | #WeAreStorm (@Mcr_Storm) March 2, 2023
It was always going to be a night of fun and excitement but as the Storm are currently on a roll of five consecutive victories and just as many league games remaining in the season, it’s all set up to be a blockbuster as coach Matt Ginn and his squad look to continue their winning streak!
With forward Anthony DeLuca third in the race for top scorer with a total of 23 goals and Jeremy Brodeur fourth in the league for goaltending with a huge 91.88% save percentage, fans could be in for another blockbuster.
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Knowing that nearly 15,000 have piled into the Storm Shelter at Planet Ice, Altrincham in 2023 so far, they’re expecting another bumper crowd this weekend.
If it’s anything like the turnout and the atmosphere produced for the ‘Air the Bear’ event at the end of last year, you really don’t want to miss this one.
If you fancy bagging yourself a ticket for Manchester Storm’s Retro Night, doors open at 6pm and the face-off is set for 7pm. The best part is, tickets will cost as little as a tenner — you can grab yours HERE.
£10 is the standard price for adult admission but family tickets are also available not only is parking free after the doors open, but the travel links are right on the doorstep too.
Luxury Manchester gym and pilates studio mysteriously closes
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most premium fitness facilities appears to have closed down, leaving members and instructors in the dark.
A forfeiture notice has appeared at the entrance of Blok, a boutique gym and pilates studio in the city centre.
Members have been arriving for classes this week to find the luxury facility at Ducie Street Warehouse closed up.
Native Places, which owns the beautifully restored mill building near Manchester Piccadilly and operates the upper floors as an aparthotel, has confirmed that it’s taken ‘formal possession of the ground floor gym’.
Blok has said they believe that the forfeiture of their lease by landlords is ‘illegal’ and that the team are ‘working to get this resolved as a matter of urgency’.
The gym also stressed the Manchester is a ‘profitable site, which we have collectively worked hard to grow into a thriving, healthy business’.
With three different studios, Blok opened in Manchester in 2019 offering classes ranging from dumbbell-based weight training to barre and pilates, as well as boxing, calisthenics and HIIT workouts.
Last year, the gym introduced reformer pilates to its premium offering.
And just last week, Blok had been running a Crowdcube campaign selling shares in the business in exchange for exclusive investor rewards.
Blok Manchester is inside Ducie Street Warehouse, owned by Native Places
Their investment campaign cited 175% growth in membership over the last 12 months, and promised four new flagship sites forecast to generate £1.5m in profit annually.
Alas, it appears Blok Manchester is now closed. Members have been leaving comments on their Instagram posts asking for updates, and several people are posting TikToks saying they were unable to attend their class.
One person wrote: “Hello I’ve lost my personality as Blok is closed *cry*.”
She added: “You can still book but it’s all locked up, no one can enter the premises … I got one email that they’re having ‘trouble accessing the building’, confused why they’re still allowing people to book??”
Hello I’ve lost my personality as Blok is closed *cry* Good Pilates/Mat/Barre/ reformer studios in Manchester. Also please no say a place that costs the same as my kidney, because that’s not cool 🙂 #BLOK#manchesterpilates#MCR#FYP
A statement from Native Places said: “Native Places has taken formal possession of the ground floor gym following the sustained non-payment of rent by the tenant.
“This action marks the end of a six-year relationship during which Native has consistently supported the tenant in their occupation of the space.
“Unfortunately, due to continued non-payment, we have had no option but to follow the appropriate legal process. The premises have now been secured, and access is restricted.”
In a statement provided to The Manc, Ed Stanbury, CEO and Founder of Blok, said: “The closure of BLOK Manchester is due to the forfeiture of our lease by our landlords, an action that we believe to be illegal. We are working with our lawyers to get this resolved as a matter of urgency.
“Whilst there has been speculation around financial pressures that may have led to this situation, we want to be clear: BLOK Manchester is a profitable site, which we have collectively worked hard to grow into a thriving, healthy business.
“We’re incredibly proud of the team and community we’ve created in Manchester, and our focus right now is on supporting them as we navigate this.”
Patrice Evra issues passionate plea to Manchester United as he must miss the Europa League final
Danny Jones
Ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra has issued a passionate appeal to his old club ahead of the Europa League final, as he reluctantly prepares to miss the game.
Evra, 44, has remained an avid Man United fan even since he left the club back in 2014 and doesn’t miss a game if he can, often lending his punditry services to the likes of Sky Sports of TNT Sports.
However, despite the biggest game of their season coming up this Wednesday, 20 May, the Frenchman has been forced to skip the match due to a recent bereavement.
Nevertheless, Evra has taken time to issue a rallying cry to Ruben Amorim and his Red Devils, urging them to “be United” and “fight” just like his loved one.
As explained in the short video, the retired left-back’s sister recently passed away at just 56 after a long battle with cancer.
Visibly emotional but determined in the clip, Evra starts by sharing his “positive energy” before trying to inject some defiance.
Noting that his sibling fought for her life for more than two decades, he goes on to add, “That’s what I want from you [United players and fans] tomorrow: just fight — bleed for this shirt, for the fans, the staff, for the people of Manchester.”
Stating that there is “no excuse” for failure and that winning their first European trophy in seven years is their “duty”, he called on the team to channel the commitment and dedication of those travelling from all over the world to see them take on Spurs in Bilbao.
As for the former French international himself, he will be making his return to sport only in an entirely different arena, with a combat sports debut coming very soon.
Wait until you see who he called out… To be fair, I think we’d prefer to watch the Evra fight even more than the Europa League final.
While the comments underneath the post are obviously filled with lots of condolences for his loss, lots of supporters are also taking further faith and motivation from his competitive spirit.
It’s a big game for the club and so many across Greater Manchester; you only have to glance at social media to sense the palpable tension. For instance, if you’re a Red, you don’t want to scroll past the video down below.
Go on then – do you think United are going to do it?
Danny Jones -
3rd March 2023 
