The indie rockers are performing at the legendary venue to celebrate the launch of their new album, Ribbon Around The Bomb.
The Manchester Evening News has reported that a member of staff inside Stockport Plaza asked people to leave ‘due to circumstances beyond our control’ adding: “Unfortunately I’m not joking.”
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Blossoms posted on Twitter: “Sorry about the fire alarm that went off at @StockportPlaza1. All sorted now. False alarm. The venue’s letting everyone back in now so we’ll see you on stage very shortly x”
One person said: “The most British fire evacuation ever as everyone piles from Stockport Plaza and straight into the pub opposite.”
Someone else Tweeted: “Couldnt make it up! Cant wait to see you!”
The hotly-anticipated homecoming gig for the Stockport five-piece comes just days after their intimate concert at Band on The Wall.
Featured image: Publicity picture / Flickr
Stockport
Stockport has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023
Emily Sergeant
Stockport has officially been crowned Greater Manchester Town of Culture for 2023.
It’s no secret now that in recent years, Stockport has been celebrated as an emerging hub of culture and creative activity in Greater Manchester, with the area producing some big-name stars in the arts, entertainment, and sporting spheres, as well as seeing significant new residential and commercial developments popping up, a food, drink, hospitality, and nightlife scene that continues to prove popular, and even being named as one of the best areas to invest in 2022.
But now, the town has got itself a fancy title to prove it – and along with that, a £50,000 grant to support arts and creativity in the wider borough.
Stockport will officially take on the title of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2023! Take a look at the photos from our fantastic launch event at the Hat Works this afternoon 📸👇 pic.twitter.com/Kt7Zc1VA0f
— Stockport Town Of Culture (@SKTownOfCulture) May 23, 2023
Up against several other Greater Manchester areas all vying for the crown, Stockport’s bid was centred around the ‘One Stockport’ vision, which Stockport Council says sets out to support the local economy, connect communities, and promote health and wellbeing.
According to the Council, ‘One Stockport’ will be underpinned by four elements that “celebrate arts and creativity in the broadest sense”, as well as the town’s diverse cultural heritage.
These elements are Stockport Makes, Stockport Moves, Stockport Sounds, and Stockport Tastes.
Stockport has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2023 / Credit: Stockport Market | Stockport Foodie Friday
Stockport’s year as Town of Culture also coincides with a number of major public redevelopments and investment in the town.
These include the Town Centre West regeneration, the refurbishment of the legendary Hat Works museum, “cutting-edge” digital arts opportunities to be opened up through the £2.6m Stockport Creative Campus Cultural Fund, and the development of the £14m Future High Street Stockroom discovery centre.
The town’s new title was announced at a presentation yesterday attended by famous faces such as local indie band Blossoms, and Stockport County defender Macauley Southam-Hales, as well as Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Stockport Council Leader Cllr Mark Hunter, and representatives from across the town’s cultural scene.
It’s third town in the region to claim the coveted crown / Credit: Stockport Council
“It’s a real pleasure to be able to announce Stockport as our third ever Town of Culture for 2023,” Andy Burnham said at the presentation yesterday.
“The town put forward a strong case for the accolade, backed up by some really exciting plans for events and activities that celebrate Stockport’s identity, its history, but also shine a spotlight on everything that’s happening right now.”
Stockport follows in the footsteps of Stalybridge, which held the title in 2022.
Bury was announced as Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture for 2020, and held onto it into 2021 after the pandemic put a number of events and activities on hold.
Featured Image – Stockport Foodie Friday (via Facebook)
Stockport
Inside Stockport’s coolest new cocktail bar as Blossoms frontman opens Bohemian Arts Club
Daisy Jackson
Tom Ogden, of Blossoms fame, and his wife Katie are preparing to open the doors to Bohemian Arts Club, a new cocktail bar in Stockport.
The stunning speakeasy has taken shape in a formerly derelict three-storey building on Coopers Brow, transforming a run-down space into a luxury and intimate venue.
While the ground floor is occupied by a new Bohemian hair salon for stylist Katie, the top two floors have been given a stylish makeover, all soft terracotta walls and marble window frames.
Set to open this weekend, the couple’s personalities and tastes are stamped all over Bohemian Arts Club, from the mirror-tiled doors and ceilings to the heart-shaped chairs hand-made by Katie’s mum and dad.
Even the concise 12-strong cocktail menu has been inspired by the people and places who are special to Tom and Katie, like the ‘Feral’, which is a tribute to Katie’s dad, and ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’, named after their dog.
The couple met and married in Stockport, so it was a natural choice for their first bar together.
Katie told The Manc: “We’ve been so inspired by all these cool little speakeasies we’ve been to across the world. We love all those bars hidden away down a little alleyway or a secret door.
“For us, we’ve lived in Stockport all of our lives, and for me it felt like a gap in the market to have a really nice cocktail with a decor that matched.”
Speaking of this weekend’s opening, Tom added: “We feel excited… slash relieved. It’s been a long two years. You go from being really excited and dreaming up this idea, visiting all these other bars for inspiration – and then your life becomes an episode of Grand Designs for ages.
“I’ll be excited to get back to writing songs again after this!”
The entire space, hidden up a small flight off stairs off the historic cobbled streets of Underbanks, has been designed by Katie. There are marble surfaces, tainted mirrors, plush fabrics and dim lighting.
Alongside the core dozen cocktails is a selection of classics, plus wines and beers, all delivered via table service.
Cocktails at Bohemian Arts Club. Credit: The Manc GroupTom and Katie Ogden outside Bohemian Arts Club in Stockport. Credit: The Manc GroupA selection of Bohemian Arts Club cocktails. Credit: The Manc Group
Tom added: “Katie and I met and married in Stockport, it’s where everything started for the band, it’s our home town; the place means a lot to us.
“There’s something special in the air at The Underbanks; the shops, restaurants and bars opening here have a certain charm about them, as do the people visiting.
“When we found this spot we knew it was perfect for the vision we had in mind and we can’t wait to welcome in guests to our own little gem in the heart of the town that holds such a special place in our hearts.”
Bohemian Arts Club opens on Saturday 27 May. It will be open 5pm-11.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-1.30am on Fridays, 2pm-1.30am on Saturdays, and 2pm-11.30pm on Sundays.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd May 2022 
