Sacha Lord has long been vocal about the Government’s treatment of hospitality in the UK – and it appears that the last closure in the region has really tugged at his heart strings (and flipped his rage switch).
The Night Time Economy Adviser has demanded a general election after learning of the closure of a popular neighbourhood restaurant in Droylsden.
He said that the news that Industry, which had been at the heart of the Tameside town’s regeneration, had shut down was ‘heartbreaking’.
The restaurant and bar said that they can no longer stomach the ‘crippling’ costs of running a business in 2023 – from energy bills to VAT increases – without charging customers ‘extortionate prices’.
The team behind Industry said it was a decision that hadn’t been made lightly and that they were ‘devastated’ to have to close their doors.
The restaurant had even managed to survive a turbulent first year after opening in 2020 – and we all know what went down then.
Sacha has slammed the current Government once again for their lack of support for hospitality businesses.
He said that the Tories are allowing ‘communities to break up and High Streets to fall apart’.
The Parklife boss wrote on Twitter: “Heartbreaking. I met the team at Industry last year, they were lovely. Again, citing Energy as a factor. This Gov’t don’t care about Hospitality. Under their watch communities are breaking up, our High Streets are falling apart. We urgently need a General Election.”
Heartbreaking. I met the team at Industry last year, they were lovely.
Again, citing Energy as a factor.
This Gov’t don’t care about Hospitality.
Under their watch communities are breaking up, our High Streets are falling apart.
Droylsden restaurant Industry’s full statement said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts we have to say that Industry has closed its doors for the final time.
“Industry started as an idea between three friends of opening a nice little bar where you could have a drink and get a bite to eat….the reality became so much bigger than that and exceeded all of our expectations.
“Opening at the height of a global pandemic was an enormous challenge and we had so many hurdles to jump just to stay open. In our first year, we were only allowed to open 5 months out of 12 but we powered through because we believed in our vision.
“Since then, plenty of blood, sweat and tears, from both us and our incredible team, has gone in to making Industry what it has been to date. Sadly, crippling energy bills, spiralling overheads, lack of government support and VAT/tax increases have made our ‘little’ idea unsustainable, without having to charge extortionate prices.
“Please do not think that this is a decision which has been made lightly. We are devastated and we would be grateful if any negative comments could be kept away. We know we haven’t been perfect, but we can assure you that we always tried our best without any regrets.
“Thank you to all our customers for your support over the last few years. Seeing people come in and enjoy what we created has been the best part of this whole experience.
“Last but by no means ever least, thank you to all of our amazing team, both past and present. We are forever grateful for your hard work, dedication and loyalty to us and to Industry. Mike, Paul and Andrew.”
Featured image: Industry Droylsden
Tameside
Ashton town centre is hosting one of Greater Manchester’s ‘wildest’ street parties this summer
Emily Sergeant
One of the ‘wildest’ street parties is arriving in a popular Greater Manchester town centre this summer.
From giant Star Wars machines to a full-scale wrestling ring, life-sized dinosaurs roaming around, and everything in between, a bold new community celebration hits Market Avenue in Ashton-under-Lyne early next month… and as you can tell, there’ll be something for visitors of all ages to get involved with on the day.
This is Street Life – a brand new one-day community festival taking over the Tameside town.
Free to attend and open to all ages, event organisers are promising that it’ll be an ‘explosion’ of creativity, culture, and big day-out energy, all to celebrate the very best of what Ashton has to offer.
It may sound like something out of a Comic Con, but it’s all happening in Greater Manchester, and at the centre of the spectacle is a rare appearance from a towering eight-metre Scout Walker, which is a jaw-dropping mechanical build direct from the Star Wars universe.
The build was previously exclusive to private exhibitions, but this is the first time it will be appearing at a community event free for all to see.
That’s only the beginning of all the action happening though, as some of the other things visitors can look forward to include a pop-up cinema screening family classics, a performance from Britain’s Got Talent finalist dance troupe of disco stormtroopers, Boogie Storm, live music and DJ sets from a wide range of genres, and so much more.
There’ll be free face painting, festive hair braiding, and temporary glitter tattoos for kids, as well as local businesses showcasing on market stalls, and loads of pop-up street food by local vendors.
“We want to give Ashton something to be proud of,” says the Street Life team.
“This is about creating joy, spotlighting local talent, and reminding people how fun and vibrant a town centre can be. There’s truly something for everyone.
“Following the huge success of a last-minute VE Day street party last month, which brought the community together in the most brilliant, unexpected way, we saw the opportunity to scale it up, dream bigger, and create something beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.”
Street Life will be taking over Market Avenue in Ashton on Saturday 5 July from 10am until late, and it’s free entry for all.
Featured Image – Supplied
Tameside
There’s a midsummer party coming to IKEA with a live ABBA tribute act
Thomas Melia
Swedish household furniture giant and flatpack masterminds IKEA are hosting a midsummer party with a live ABBA tribute, because why the hell not?
I definitely don’t need to be soundtracked by a live ABBA tribute while shopping for new homeware, but hey, don’t threaten me with a good time…
IKEA‘s Manchester branch is hosting a party with a three-course meal, drinks and live music from none other than the Abberettes, a duo which covers classics by Swedish pop icons, ABBA.
Starters include a marinated salmon plate, salmon wrap or a small salad bowl, while one of the mains also features this fish favourite served with a bean mix.
The friendly Ikea team will be able to assist any queries on the day.
There are two more main menu options in the form of their menu highlights: meatballs, which always go down a treat, and veggies get to sample the meat-free alternative, plant balls.
In terms of a sweet treat, there are two dessert choices, both of which are equally delicious. Partygoers can choose from a Daim cake or an apple pie, and all guests are entitled to a hot or cold drink too, yum.
Kids can choose from the famed meatballs, plantballs or a tomato pasta meal, alongside a soft drink and a piece of fruit, a super meal for your little ‘Super Trouper’.
If you’re worried this special midsummer party and live ABBA tribute is going to cost you lots of ‘Money, Money, Money’, fear not as tickets are only £7.50 for Ikea family members and get this – kids eat free.
The Abberettes are doing two performances throughout the day, one from 5:30-6:15pm and a second show at 6:45-7:30pm, ‘Mamma Mia’.
Here’s a taster of the kind of crowds they pull in:
All I have left to say is I’ll have to get my tickets fast before they end up ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ or before ‘The Winner Takes It All’.
The midsummer party with a live ABBA tribute is coming to Ikea in Ashton, Greater Manchester, on Thursday, 19 June from 5pm, with tickets available now.
Daisy Jackson -
10th August 2023 
