Mary D's landlord moaning about City Square

[SWP's back]

Also, how can business be at it's the worst in 20 years when 10 years ago there was no stadium and no City matches?

This

 

[M18CTID]

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/City-Square-gives-East-Manchester-landlord-a-hangover

N THE shadow of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, not everyone is impressed by the club's Abu Dhabi funded revolution.Two weeks after the club revealed plans for a £100m training academy, one longstanding pub owner told Confidential how its new City Square fanzone next to the stadium was hurting his business.“The club are being proper greedy. How much is enough? What’s going to be left for local people?”Michael Kehoe, owner of Mary D’s on Grey Mare Lane, believes the club is taking valuable custom away and trying to cannibalise matchday spend in the area.“Match day takings are down about 25 per cent since the Summerbee Bar opened in City Square,” he said. “If we didn’t have the match day revenue we’d be closed. It’s a real noose around our neck."He said business was currently the worst it had been in the 20 years he took over the pub and he is concerned that the area's traditional pubs could be wiped out, threatening jobs and leaving the area without a community hub.The pub’s extension was opened by Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1971 - the pub still displays a plaque commemorating the event. Kehoe fears all that history could soon be lost.“The club are being proper greedy," he said. "How much is enough? What’s going to be left for local people?”Mark Lee, owner of Tony’s Stadium Chippy and Kehoe's next door neighbour on Grey Mare Lane, was less concerned by the changes in the area however, and believed trade had not been affected.“It’s quite a busy shop on match days,” he said. "Takings have probably risen since I took over three years ago."Lee said the ongoing development of the area could actually improve trade on Grey Mare Lane.“Competition is good,” he said. “It keeps you honest. The more attractions you’ve got, the better it’s going to be for everyone.“Not only does it attract customers it should attract investors too, which will make it a nicer place to live.”Dave Hardman, who runs The Eastlands Bar furtherd own the road, was similarly optimistic about the effects of development in the area.“Beswick is a deprived area and needs the investment,” he said. “Anything that brings money into the area is a good thing.”He said the history of the pub - and its prices compared to City - would keep customers coming back. Hardman, a former property developer, said he thinks the proposed redevelopments could generate further investment and increase the value of property in the area as well as bringing much-needed jobs.“Nobody round here wants to be unemployed,” he said. “I see potential here because the people are great people.”A spokesman for Manchester City FC said the opinions of local residents and businesses had helped form the club's plans.It will also keep 5.5 acres of the site for community use and contribute towards a new swimming pool in the area."During a six week period of public consultation, there was 97 per cent support for the proposals," he said. "The proposed development of up to 80 acres of brown field would create around 160 construction jobs during the project, 70 per cent of them for local people. "Permanent employment for up to 90 people is also likely with up to 80 per cent of positions being made available for local residents. The Club is also committed to local sourcing of materials, equipment and services for the operation and construction of the proposed site."

For me he needs to look at his beer prices the fact he is the same as City Square is the issue. Also I've noticed The Manchester has reopened and it's prices from what I've seen outside appear to be 70p a pint cheaper.

Went in The Manchester before the Birmingham game and the beer wasn't too bad but it was rank when we tried after the Everton match. Hopefully that was a one-off because as you say their prices are under-cutting everyone else in the vicinity.

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

He can get fucked it's a shit hole of a pub and the service there and prices have been taking advantage of us for too long. Serves him right for not making an effort with the place. I'll stick to the Star Bar thanks

 

[LongsightM13]

Also, it was Bradford Labour Club which was opened by Harold Wilson in 1971. Mary D's didn't even exist back then so it was fuck all to do with Kehoe.

 

[bluelady47]

He's making money hand over fist, residents there use his car park through the week at a cost of around £6 per wk, but on match days they have to pay the going rate £10 aprox or pull their cars of the car park till after the game has finished.
GREEDY RED SCUM<br /><br />-- Tue Oct 04, 2011 1:46 pm --<br /><br />

Also, it was Bradford Labour Club which was opened by Harold Wilson in 1971. Mary D's didn't even exist back then so it was fuck all to do with Kehoe.

Bradford Labour Club
Richmond club

then Mary D,s

 

[squirtyflower]

Also, how can business be at it's the worst in 20 years when 10 years ago there was no stadium and no City matches?

Glad someone noticed that, it kinds of pops out in your head and tells you he's a lying little shit

 

[Why Always Ste]

The reason myself and many others don't go in there is because it's a shithole....

Has nothing to do with CitySquare.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

How much is a pint of lager this season in there?

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Wonder if they asked The Townley? Bet they'd have said business wasn't impacted. The implication is that any custom lost has been lost purely from Mary D's.

Any business that provides customers with a decent product with decent service at a decent price will always do ok

 

[Bluemoonbaldboy]

How much is a pint of lager this season in there?

think it's £3.50 not 100 % sure as buy the kids a coke as well when i've gone in