Pub with ‘grownup grotto’ nonetheless standing regardless of ‘dancing across the canines***’plea

A Manchester pub famed for its “no smackheads” policy and legendary 5am lock-ins is still standing against the odds.

The Gamecock, a Hulme institution, weathered the storm of lockdowns that saw countless British boozers call last orders for good. Despite eventually succumbing to the same fate, the Booth Street building hasn’t met the wrecking ball yet.

It’s at the centre of a long-running political storm with controversial plans to turn the site into student accomodation, with one councillor declaring it is time to “rip the plaster off” and to stop “dancing around the dog s***.”

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Originally opened in the swinging ’60s and shuttered in the ’90s, The Gamecock defied three decades of neglect.

Ex-landlady Julie Maguire reminisced about the good old days with a tinge of sadness at the sight of the now-dilapidated site. She recalls the strict “no smackheads” rule and the after-hours sessions that kept the community’s spirits high and the till ringing.

During her tenure, Julie was no stranger to the police station due to the infamous 5am lock-ins aimed at keeping the pub afloat.

She told the MEN: “When the area was demolished, most of the pubs that were still there had to survive by doing late ones [lock ins]. I was hauled to the police station many-a-time.

“They said ‘we’d had to bang the door Julie because you couldn’t hear us’. I said the music was on. I once told them that I’d gotten engaged – I hadn’t – but I had to use some cock-and-bull story as to why the music was playing at that time.

“But like I said to the inspector, I’d like nothing more than to shut my doors at 11.30 and have made my money. But come Monday morning I’ve got six bills and I’ll only have enough [money] to pay three.

“I said we’re not doing it for greed, we’re doing it because we need to keep the doors open. Some would go on to five o’clock [in the morning]”.

She added: “I used to have signs up saying ‘no smackheads inside or outside’. When I put the sign up outside even the police started laughing at it.”

Despite the rough-and-ready reputation of the pub, Julie said there was rarely any trouble. “Everybody all looked after each other,” she said.

“That was the community. Christmas always used to be good.

“It would take me two days to put the decorations up. We used to call it the adults grotto.”

By the time Julie sold up in 1995, the best days of the pub were behind it. The newly built housing estates didn’t bring with them a new generation of local pub drinkers, and like many others, The Gamecock closed its doors for good soon after.

The building has since become a hot potato at the centre of a planning row. The site it occupies has been subject to several attempts to get planning permission for a new tower block, this time to house university students.

The block, which would be taller than neighbouring residential buildings, received criticism from some residents objecting and a petition was launched.

But during the long drawn-out saga which saw the planning committee discuss the plan for the fifth time, one councillor urged fellow members to “rip the plaster off” and stop “dancing around the dog s***.”

His encouragement earlier this year meant the Gamecock bid was approved nine votes to three, prompting members of the public gallery to shout “shame on you” after the result was announced.

Plans were first unveiled in May 2021 — 37 months prior to the approval — making it one of the city’s longest-running political sagas.

The episode is still far from over now that the Block The Block campaigners are preparing to take their fight to the High Court.

So for now, the former pub building still stands. One of the last remaining fragments of a community lost to dereliction and demolition.

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