The author

Palace Hotel – put on the red light

The clock tower and red neon is synonymous with sweeping camera shots of Manchester. It used to be, anyway. Whistling Beetham Tower has taken over. And soon, its sister. Its massive sister. In fact red neon adorned buildings used to be the thing. My old employer and first love Granada TV and its lettering usedContinue reading “Palace Hotel – put on the red light “

The Greater Manchester Marathon (it’s not Snickers. Heathens) 2016

This was my third marathon. My hat trick. There, any kind of remote feelings of wonderment towards me must end (only in this regard, of course, carry on for the other reasons). My third as a spectator, bag looker afterer, next of kin, meerkat impersonator as I attempt to spot my partner in crime (theContinue reading “The Greater Manchester Marathon (it’s not Snickers. Heathens) 2016”

The Blue Pig (I like it)

I have a friend. Let’s call him Beer (no I’m not metaphorically telling you I have a drinking problem, Beer is an actual man). Beer, I said (typed), give me three words to sum up your thoughts on The Blue Pig. I like it. Thanks, Beer, I said. Beer wanted to expand on this andContinue reading “The Blue Pig (I like it)”

Pen and Pencil – you don’t have to be Mad Men mad to go there…(you actually don’t)

February 2015, around the same time I arrived fashionably late to the party that was the iconic television drama Mad Men, I arrived early to this bar. Very early. After aimlessly circling a building in pursuit of this exciting new establishment I’d been reading about, some more googling led me to realise I was about 3Continue reading “Pen and Pencil – you don’t have to be Mad Men mad to go there…(you actually don’t)”

Foundation – their coffee casa is indeed your coffee casa

It’s 2pm and I’m sat in a coffee shop, writing about the etiquette of working in a coffee shop. The more I worry, the more I write about the worry, the longer I spend here, the more I worry. The circle of strife. This wasn’t my original intention. I was going to blog about FoundationContinue reading “Foundation – their coffee casa is indeed your coffee casa”

Home is where the art is

I’m often outraged by things. It’s my favourite go to emotion. Question Time – outraged, Making a Murderer – outraged, someone getting on the bus and passively aggressively closing a window without thought of whether already present passengers were happily enjoying the cold relief it was bringing – outraged. When I heard that the CornerhouseContinue reading “Home is where the art is”

All hail Tariff and Dale

Thursdays are my favourite day. You’ve gone through the drudge and tedium of the start of the week. The creation of calling Wednesday hump day and celebrating its middle of the working week ‘ness’ does nothing for me. It’s still not the end of the week and produces nothing more than an internal struggle toContinue reading “All hail Tariff and Dale”

Hotel Football (bloody hell*)

First job is to clarify I’m not a red. I’m not even a blue. I’m a blue and white halves. Declaring yourself as an honorary manc is one thing. Should this be extended to declaring yourself to be an honorary Manchester United fan is simply just… I was going to say ‘glory hunting’ but IContinue reading “Hotel Football (bloody hell*)”

Lost in Tokyo – don’t send out the search party just yet…

I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a cellar, basement, anywhere that involves a descent to a drink, bar. This is one of the latest to hit the Northern Quarter and had me at the title. Three visits in and I’m sold. From the mix of intimate tables and booths (Lord am I a suckerContinue reading “Lost in Tokyo – don’t send out the search party just yet…”

Honorary Manc – Exploring the best Manchester has to offer so you don’t have to. Although you probably should.

I’ve been a lucky resident of the glorious city that is Manchester for nearly 20 years. Since I made my first move here in my first big grown up media job out of uni in 2000 (remember when Deansgate Locks were good?), I’ve made it my business to gorge myself on this fantastic city. IContinue reading “Honorary Manc – Exploring the best Manchester has to offer so you don’t have to. Although you probably should.”