Manchester could lose the beloved ‘pop-up’ beer gardens in the city centre this month

Dozens of bars and restaurants across Manchester could lose their ‘pop-up’ beer gardens as Covid legislation comes to an end later this month.

Following the lifting of lockdown and Covid restrictions last year, a number of establishments located at central locations such as Thomas Street, Stevenson Square, Dale Street and Edge Street spilled out into the streets to maintain social distancing restrictions.

The move proved to be a roaring success and enabled several restaurants to not only stay open throughout the uncertain aftermath of the pandemic, but to expand their cover count and serve more customers safely.

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However, thanks to emergency Covid legislation coming to an end later this month, the beloved outdoor spots could very well disappear with twenty-five city centre roads due to reopen to vehicles – though councillors and business owners alike have been attempting to oppose the decision entirely.

Jonny and Charlotte Heyes, the co-owners of Edge Street bar Common, said the outside spaces have kept them going this year and have totally changed the atmosphere in the city, telling the Manchester Evening News: “We’ve seen a huge benefit from the closure of Edge Street, essentially we wouldn’t have been able to trade across the majority of last year without it.

“And then the change in atmosphere down the street when all of our, and our neighbours tables have been filled with people. The council turned it around so quickly which was a massive help in an incredibly stressful moment for all of us.”

Though fear not – it is believed that Manchester city council is currently setting out plans to launch a public consultation on whether to make the closures permanent by the end of the year, with plans to close much of the Northern Quarter to cars for good already being well underway.

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At the start of the year, Manchester Council approved a £2.3million plan to permanently close certain streets to car traffic in the Northern Quarter.

The temporary closures on Ducie Street and Thomas Street will be made permanent under the plan, and new footpaths will be built in a bid to encourage walking and cycling.

A statement by the council read: “Our plans would make Manchester’s brilliant Northern Quarter streets even more dynamic, lovely to look at and pleasant to use. They would be safer, greener and better for everyone – especially for those enjoying this buzzing quarter of our city as it should be enjoyed: on foot and by bike – as well as other transport users.”