There’s been a fierce debate raging this week as to whether children should be banned from pubs – but it turns out if we all had our way, we’d be introducing some pretty strict rules to boozers all over the place.
Mancs have said they’d also like to get rid of the presence of mobile phones, animals, TVs, fancy crisps, vapes, and just generally all other people while they’re nursing a pint.
This all kicked off from one Tweet posted over the Easter weekend, when journalist Ava Santina said: “I’m sorry but kids at pubs running around uncontrolled by parents are really annoying and always makes me question why I’m spending money to suffer it.”
Thousands started weighing in with their opinions, including outspoken local chef Gary Usher.
A tweet from Gary’s new country pub The White Horse in Chester said: “It’s the uncontrollable rude adults that cause problems when out not happy kids. Please bring your kids & dogs to The White Horse pub where we have kids menus & crayons & also dog biscuits & water for your four legged family members.
“Some of my best memories as a kid are running around pubs my mum & dad would take us to. Beer gardens help obviously but just being in pubs when you’re younger with family & friends is the good stuff. Learning how to play pool or having a PINT OF COKE! We were all kids remember.”
When we asked The Manc audience what they wanted banning from pubs, kids came up as a pretty popular answer.
Hundreds suggested that children had ‘no place in pubs’, and hated ‘kids running around whilst the parents get drunk’.
Another thing that popped up plenty was mobile phones and social media.
One person wrote: “Social media..people used to go to the pub to socialise now people sit with a drink in hand on their phone on fb telling people who aren’t even there how much of a fantastic night they are having. Put the phones away enjoy the night out with the people who are out with u and then let it all creep up on you the day after what went on the night before then have a laugh about it.”
Another person said that mobile phones are the ‘biggest conversation killers of all time’.
A common gripe seems to be the distance that pub loos tend to be from the bar.
One person said: “Upstairs toilets….. Why’s it always the womens that are upstairs?! Heels, alcohol and stairs DO NOT MIX WELL!!!”
Someone else posted: “Stairs to toilets just put them bar level risky when you’ve had a few J20s.”
And another wrote: “The 5 mile trek to the loo in spoons.”
More common complaints were the increasingly expensive cost of a pint, people who vape or smoke in the doorways, and anyone who kicks off inside the pub after too many drinks.
Someone who definitely works in the hospitality industry said: “People who put empty crisp packets in their empty glass.”
And really specifically, one person wrote: “Anyone playing Mr Brightside on the jukebox.”
Featured image: Unsplash
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Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently
Danny Jones
Everton FC are reportedly already considering signing Jack Grealish on a permanent deal after an impressive start to his spell on loan from Manchester City.
The former Aston Villa talisman has struggled to remain in the starting XI under Pep Guardiola since joining the club in 2021, but since arriving on Merseyside, he’s already been a difference-maker in every match for the Toffees thus far.
Grealish has not only registered four assists in just two starts for Everton but also won the very first player of the month award in the Premier League this season for his contributions.
Safe to say he’s fast made a big impact over in Liverpool – hence why it is now thought that manager David Moyes wants to make his transfer permanent.
Becoming just the 10th Toffee to ever win the accolade, the Birmingham-born creator is now thought to be the primary transfer target, despite the summer window having only recently closed.
He writes that despite the deal between Everton and Man City already including a £50 million option to buy next summer, that number is “not fixed and is more a consequence of accounting than a set price.”
The England international still has two years on his contract in the blue half of Manchester, but the previous valuation (which is half the amount City paid for him in a then record fee for a British player), so it is believed that he could be signed for an even better cut-price offer as his deal runs down.
Put it this way, it looks like the supporters would do just about anything to keep him at the Hill Dickinson.
Jack Grealish giving his shirt to an Everton fan after their brilliant win away at Wolves today.
Bascombe goes on to explain, however, that his salary considerations could be a significant obstacle. Grealish is estimated to be earning approximately £12m a year, which is almost certainly too rich for Everton’s blood.
Taking that into account, it’d be a case of whether or not the Brummy forward would be willing to accept a much lower wage to depart the Etihad Stadium for Everton long-term; alternatively, waiting for him to become a free agent in a few transfer windows’ time would also be an option.
What about you, Blues: would you like to see Jack Grealish stay and fight for his place under Guardiola, or would you understand/support him making his Everton permanent?
Interestingly, there could be yet more shuffling of the pack in the middle of the park for Pep, as a forgotten man is apparently going to be given another chance to revive his City career…
Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Daisy Jackson -
14th April 2023 
