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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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“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
Greater Manchester urged to ‘check before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in tonight
Emily Sergeant
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to check before they travel as Storm Goretti prepares to bring chaos this evening.
In case you weren’t aware, yellow weather warnings for snow have been put in place for parts of Greater Manchester – including Rochdale, Oldham, Tameside, and Stockport – from 5pm this evening until around midday tomorrow, and additional amber warnings are even in place from 8pm tonight for some neighbouring areas like Derbyshire and Yorkshire.
As a result, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), is understandably warning locals that there could be disruption to journeys this evening, including by rail, trams, buses, and on the roads.
Trams on the Oldham, Rochdale, and Ashton lines are most likely to be disrupted by the weather, as are buses in the north and east of the region, TfGM has warned, and due to the expected impact, no trains will run on the following routes from 6pm this evening:
New Mills Central – Sheffield (no trains between Manchester & Sheffield)
Hazel Grove – Buxton
Guide Bridge – Glossop/Hadfield
🌨️ Storm Goretti will hit parts of Greater Manchester from 5pm tonight to midday tomorrow [8 and 9 January].
If you're making a journey, please check before you travel to see if your route is impacted and take extra care when travelling.
Train ticket acceptance will be in place on the 237 and 341 bus services tonight and tomorrow to help passengers get to where they need to be, although disruption could be on the cards here too, once again.
All train routes are planned to reopen after midnight on Saturday morning.
Interchanges, platforms, and crossings across the region are being treated with grit and anti-icing measures to make sure they are safe to use, and TfGM has confirmed that ‘ice breaker’ trams are also ready to be deployed to keep overhead lines clear of ice so trams can keep moving.
For those driving this evening, TfGM is also urging people to take extra time and make sure you are driving ‘appropriately’ for the conditions.
Greater Manchester is urged to check ‘before you travel’ as Storm Goretti sets in / Credit: rawpixel
Speaking ahead of Storm Goretti’s arrival, Danny Vaughan, who is TfGM’s Chief Network Officer, said: “We are expecting Storm Goretti to hit Greater Manchester as we head into the evening peak travel time and we are urging everyone to check their plans before they travel, leave extra time and if possible to consider if they can make their journey before 5pm before the storm hits.
“Working with our partners and operators we are ready to respond to the storm and help to keep Greater Manchester moving.”
He also warned commuters that there may also ‘be an impact on journeys’ tomorrow morning, so if you are planning to travel, then it’s advised to check before you do so.
Brilliant Boxing Day walks around Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
It’s Boxing Day, and for a lot of us, the only requirement of the day is to sort out (eat) the leftovers and enjoy one last day of vegetating in front of the telly… walking is not high on the agenda.
But all that over-indulgence from Christmas Day can start to creep up on you – waistbands straining, head a bit foggy, bank balance definitely suffering from the Christmas Eve pub session.
Without wanting to sound like your nan, sometimes a bit of fresh air is exactly what you need to get yourself put back together again – not to mention it can help you to build up an appetite again to dive into that cheeseboard for the sixth time this weekend.
Greater Manchester is blessed with beautiful walks in all directions, so we’ve rounded up a handful of beautiful Boxing Day walks to try out.
There aren’t many places in the UK that look so much like a Christmas postcard as Macclesfield Forest, making it one of our favourite winter walking destinations.
Here, huge conifers dominate the landscape like giant Christmas trees – it’s about as close to an alpine wonderland you can get without travelling all the way to actual mountains.
There are a number of walking trails to follow, from a gentle green route all the way to a more challenging red route that takes you deeper into the forest.
Greenbooth Reservoir is one of Greater Manchester’s most underrated beauty spots.
If you tackle a full loop of all three reservoirs, you’ll come across a small waterfall, a stunning view of the Manchester skyline from the dam wall, and paths carved into steep hillsides.
It’s all nestled up in the Naden Valley in Rochdale, just above Norden.
Let’s see how awake your quads are, shall we, with an entirely uphill climb from Ramsbottom village to its magnificent Peel Monument.
The walk’s not too tough if you take it at a slow pace, and it’s well worth it for the views. Trust us.
You can go straight up the hill to the tower and straight back down again if you don’t want to rack up too many miles, or turn it into a circular and stroll across Holcombe Moor instead (beware – it can get windy up here).
There’s a map of the circular route here and some great pubs in the village to relax in afterwards.
Dovestone Reservoir is a beloved gem among many Mancunians – it might be busy on Boxing Day, but thanks to its mostly wide footpaths and circular route, it’s still easy enough to have your own space on your walk.
The path around the water is mostly flat and accessible, making it ideal if you’ve still got a few generations worth of relatives hanging about.
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You can keep going if you’re feeling adventurous, extending your walk to include Greenfield and Yeoman Hey reservoirs, or heading up to Saddleworth moor and the crags above.
You can find more information about Dovestone Reservoirhere.
This is far and away one of the best winter walks you can do locally, especially on a crisp sunny day (which we hope Boxing Day will be).
The water is surrounded by woodland and meadows, and you can take a stroll along the banks of the River Mersey while you’re out here.
The lake itself is actually an artificial one, and was flooded after gravel was dug up to build the M60 in the 1970s.
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In summer, it’s packed with people doing watersports, but during the winter, it’s a picturesque little local stroll – and as a bonus, you can even get the tram right to the gate.
Right then, if you want maximum bang for your buck (as in soaking in as much fresh air and scenery as you can in as short a time as possible), Reddish Vale is the one.
There’s a really gentle loop that starts from the car park and skirts the edge of the bottom pond, also taking in views of the enormous viaduct that looms overhead.
And if you’re after something slightly more involved, you can keep exploring – this urban oasis spans 161 hectares with the River Tame running right through it.
Rivington Pike is a real gem in the North West, just across Bolton’s border with Lancashire, with loads to explore.
There’s a trio of reservoirs at the foot of the hill, but most people head upwards, towards the historic tower at the peak, where you can soak in views for miles around.
The Terraced Gardens are well worth exploring too, where you’ll find a hidden Japanese garden, lakes, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures and caves.
It might not be the most adventurous of Boxing Day walks – Heaton Park is one of Manchester’s most popular and prominent green spaces and one of the largest municipal parks in Europe – but it’s a perfect option for a family-friendly stroll.
The huge park has miles of accessible footpaths which loop around the boating lake, the Grade I-listed Heaton House, and the ‘Temple’, which stands at the highest point in the city of Manchester.
There are also cows and horses wandering about (even when the animal park itself is closed), and the old tramline to check out.
12. Hollingworth Lake – Littleborough
Credit: The Manc
What’s better than a walk where, after you’re done, you can stop off for a well-deserved Friday night feast: some of the best fish and chips you’ll ever have.
This is an accessible and flat walk suitable for all, and if you’ve worked up an appetite, there’s an ice cream truck courtesy of Northern sweet-treat greats Grandpa Greene’s on Lake Bank.
Located just a nine-minute drive away from Bury town centre, Burrs Country Park is a great chance to be at one with nature while also making sure you’re not too far from home.
This lovely stroll is certainly a-MOO-zing with comforting pub grub at The Brown Cow or nearby ice cream parlour Jersey Girls’ – we may have a little ice cream obsession…
14. Peel Park and Kersal Wetlands – Salford
Peel Park (Credit: Richerman via Wikimedia Commons)
Featuring some vast green spaces and some of the most intricately landscaped paths and patterns, Peel Park is like stepping into a mini Bridgerton-inspired garden, all that’s missing is the keys to your own castle (we wish)…
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Another Salford beauty spot is just a 20-minute walk away, but if the conversation is flowing, the time will just fly by.
Kersal Wetlands is a circular route that offers visitors the chance to see some cute feathered friends, mainly ducks, while burning off some of yesterday’ Christmas treats.
Both these walks are flat, making them accessible for all and ideal for anyone with a pram or people who may struggle with strenuous walks.
15. Fletcher Moss Park – Didsbury
A Didsbury gem, Fletcher Moss Park is a 15-minute tram ride away from Manchester city centre and just under a 15-minute wander from Didsbury Village tram stop.
This is more than a park; it’s a hidden oasis with well-maintained and lush garden spaces, to a fascinating rock garden that’s simply awe-inspiring.
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Grab a coffee or hot chocolate from the retro food and beverages truck and take a minute to appreciate this quiet spot before making your return to the usual hustle and bustle.
Ever wanted to ‘hover above a huge gorge’while getting all your steps in? Well, this Peak District town has got you covered.
Situated directly next to the River Sett, the impressive 175-yard walkway can be incorporated into various walking trails and routes that surround the area.
New Mills has it all, whether you’re after a walk that admires some grand architecture in the shape of the impressive railway arches, or the lovely forest trails and greenery, there’s something for every type of walker – and let’s face it, we all move a bit slower on Boxing Day.
Daisy Jackson -
10th August 2023 
