I was saddened to hear that Oddest on Wilbraham Road has closed.
As ever, the social media sites were quick to home in on its closure, beginning with questions about why it was not open, followed by speculation on what might replace it, along with the inevitable tranche of stories and memories of the place.
What seemed to be missing from the chatter was any appreciation of what its closure meant to the staff who worked, there and at the two other outlets in the Northern Quarter.
And it was left to the Evening News to record that 40 jobs have gone, which is a tragedy in any one’s books.*
There will be more than a few of the uncharitable sort who argue that this is evidence of there being too many bars in Chorlton and call again for a return of the traditional retail outlets.
Sadly in an age of on line shopping, giant supermarkets and the Trafford Centre, the demand for the small independent green grocer, grocer and shoe shop are not high on most peoples’ shopping list.
And that in turn leaves many High Streets chasing a mix of charity shops, niche businesses and bars to fill the void.
The same uncharitable voices may also dismiss my response as nothing more than self interest, given that late last year I co-produced a book on Chorlton’s pubs and bars with the Manchester artist Peter Topping.
Since its publication there have been a few bars which have changed their name, one that was going to but didn’t, another which closed as we were writing the book and the opening of Zitano, that excellent pizza restaurant on Beech Road.
What is more remarkable is that most of the establishments are open and appear to be flourishing, which may say something about Chorlton.
And that brings me back to Oddest which opened in 2009, had a complete refurbishment five years later and always seemed busy when I passed.
Those in the know, or perhaps think they are in the know, may offer up an explanation for its demise, based on the steady decline in the pub trade which may now be biting into the bar business.
But such speculation I will leave to them, who may in their endless pontificating give some thought to the staff of Oddest, the Odd Bar and The Blue Pig which together formed the chain.
Location; Chorlton & Manchester
Painting; Oddest, © 2017 Peter Topping
Web: www.paintingsfrompictures.co.uk
Facebook: Paintings from Pictures https://www.facebook.com/paintingsfrompictures
*Odd bar, Oddest and The Blue Pig have closed down - leaving dozens of staff jobless, Beth Abbit, Manchester Evening News, January 5, 2018, http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/odd-bar-oddest-blue-pig-14118281
What seemed to be missing from the chatter was any appreciation of what its closure meant to the staff who worked, there and at the two other outlets in the Northern Quarter.
And it was left to the Evening News to record that 40 jobs have gone, which is a tragedy in any one’s books.*
There will be more than a few of the uncharitable sort who argue that this is evidence of there being too many bars in Chorlton and call again for a return of the traditional retail outlets.
Sadly in an age of on line shopping, giant supermarkets and the Trafford Centre, the demand for the small independent green grocer, grocer and shoe shop are not high on most peoples’ shopping list.
And that in turn leaves many High Streets chasing a mix of charity shops, niche businesses and bars to fill the void.
The same uncharitable voices may also dismiss my response as nothing more than self interest, given that late last year I co-produced a book on Chorlton’s pubs and bars with the Manchester artist Peter Topping.
Since its publication there have been a few bars which have changed their name, one that was going to but didn’t, another which closed as we were writing the book and the opening of Zitano, that excellent pizza restaurant on Beech Road.
What is more remarkable is that most of the establishments are open and appear to be flourishing, which may say something about Chorlton.
And that brings me back to Oddest which opened in 2009, had a complete refurbishment five years later and always seemed busy when I passed.
Those in the know, or perhaps think they are in the know, may offer up an explanation for its demise, based on the steady decline in the pub trade which may now be biting into the bar business.
But such speculation I will leave to them, who may in their endless pontificating give some thought to the staff of Oddest, the Odd Bar and The Blue Pig which together formed the chain.
Location; Chorlton & Manchester
Painting; Oddest, © 2017 Peter Topping
Web: www.paintingsfrompictures.co.uk
Facebook: Paintings from Pictures https://www.facebook.com/paintingsfrompictures
*Odd bar, Oddest and The Blue Pig have closed down - leaving dozens of staff jobless, Beth Abbit, Manchester Evening News, January 5, 2018, http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/odd-bar-oddest-blue-pig-14118281
As a regular walker on The NQ's Thomas Street it was a bit sad to see Odd Bar and The Blue Pig boarded up the other day.
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