Former pub ‘The Footage’ to be sold for only £1
By Dylan Sangha
The Footage pub was renowned for its lively atmosphere, affordable drinks and continuous streaming of live sports events.
Earlier this year, it was reported that numerous Manchester pubs, including The Footage, were at risk of closure.
The pub was managed by Crafted Social, a subsidiary of the larger Stonegate Pub Group, which operates thousands of pubs throughout the UK.
The site first opened as the Grosvenor Picture Palace in 1912, later being converted into The Footage, which remained open for over 30 years.
Commercial estate agents at Christie & Co said:
“Originally known as The Grosvenor Picture Palace, this former cinema underwent a transformation and became The Footage, a popular student pub. For over three decades, it served as a bustling hub for university students and city centre locals alike. This is a noteworthy opportunity to secure one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings in the city centre”.
The two-storey building features double frontage on Grosvenor Street and Oxford Road and retains some original elements from its days as a movie theatre, including intricate ceiling patterns.
Buyers have been warned that the annual business rates, which took effect in April 2023, are currently £41,250.
It is not uncommon for central properties like The Footage to be sold for low listing prices, with the primary incentive being supporting and maintaining the local community and getting business back to normal.
Members of the local community and Manchester’s student scene have been devastated by the news, with some mourning the closure of a beloved establishment which shaped the identity of the city.
Harry, an English Literature and History student at the University of Manchester, says the closure of The Footage marks “a closing chapter on their first year meet-ups and break-ups, memories cherished and those still hauntingly irking”.
No official response has been issued by Stonegate or the management of The Footage regarding the sudden closure.