Hulme, Greater Manchester: The Old Abbey Taphouse, a beloved and award-winning pub in Hulme, has announced the immediate closure of its kitchen for daily use, citing economic pressures as the driving force behind the decision.
The venue, renowned for its multifaceted role as a pub, music venue, catering kitchen, radio station, workspace, and youth training center, broke the news on its social media platforms last night.
The closure marks a significant change for the community-focused establishment, which has been a pillar of support in Greater Manchester. The Old Abbey Taphouse has a history of leading community initiatives, including opening as a ‘warm bank’ during the winter energy crisis to offer locals a place to stay warm.
Another notable effort is the Taphouse TV dinners program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has provided over 12,500 pay-as-you-feel meals to underserved areas by utilizing unharvested foods and donations.
Despite the kitchen’s daily operations ceasing, the pub reassured its patrons that the Taphouse TV dinners initiative will continue. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the pub expressed the difficulty of the decision: “We are sad to announce our kitchen is closing for daily use effective immediately.”
“This was a really tough decision for us and one made after a lot of attempts to rectify the situation. In 2023, there were 125 closures of grassroots music venues, and with the current state of the UK economy, 2024 isn’t looking to be much better.”
The post also revealed plans to bring in an independent trader to use the kitchen space in the evenings, ensuring that some food services remain available.
The pub will continue catering bookings and remains committed to running its TV Dinners program, which provides free meals to local families in need.
The Old Abbey Taphouse called for community support, encouraging patrons to buy tickets to events and visit the pub. “More than ever, we need your support. Please buy tickets in advance to our events where you can and pop in for pints. We want to continue our community hub Inna pub journey, but we need your help to do so,” the post read.
Followers of the pub were quick to offer support. One user commented, “So sorry to hear this, I hope business picks up soon as it’s a wonderful venue, especially during the summer.” Another added, “Damn! I definitely need to get along to as many events as possible. You are awesome and unique.”
The Old Abbey Taphouse is the last remaining building from the Greenheys Estate and holds historical significance as the site where Len Johnson overturned the Colour Bar in 1952.
As a Community Interest Company, it has hosted various community activities, including mental health and movement classes, spoken word and poetry events, and open mic and barbecue sessions.
In 2022, the pub was named Community Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and was shortlisted at the Great British Pub Awards. Last year, the Music Venue Trust’s Pipeline Investment Fund awarded the venue £4,704.67, securing its ability to continue hosting live music events.
Co-director Rachele Evaroa emphasized the pub’s commitment to the community: “We’re always going to work for the community regardless of any awards, but I’m really proud of what everyone has done here.”
As the Old Abbey Taphouse navigates these challenging times, its community remains hopeful and supportive, rallying behind the venue that has given so much to them.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
