Michael’s back at the bar after photo fame
A FAMILIAR face was back enjoying a tipple as pubs reopened yesterday
At The Glue Pot in Newton Heath the M.E.N. bumped into Michael Deveney – of The Creation of Manchester fame.
The 52-year-old was pictured in a viral photo several years ago in which he was snapped lying on the road next to a pint of beer on New Year’s Eve.
“It’s one of them things, innit”, he says, unfazed by his local fame.
“It was very messy. Two pints I’d had, that’s all I’d had.”
“Two pints of Bacardi”, a friend jokes.
Friends who have gathered outside say the photo was ‘epic’ and they begin chanting ‘Manchester Picasso’.
At the Shiredale in Harpurhey one regular couldn’t wait to sample a pint.
Jimmy had just come off a night shift laying Tarmac on the roads.
He had a quick shower after work before heading straight to the pub for 10am to taste his favourite beer – Carling – on draft.
Staff at the Shiredale had been busy rearranging the boozer to make sure it complies with new safety requirements.
Customers must give their names, numbers and addresses at the door, there’s a one-way system marked on the floor, and it’s table service only.
Landlord John Malone says making the pub Covid-safe has taken a lot of effort – and money.
They had to pour away 27 barrels of beer when the pub closed at the end of March, they have lost a lot of revenue, and they’ve had to employ more staff for the reopening.
If they didn’t open now, they would have had to close for good next month.
“It’s been hard work, very hard work, very stressful. The amount of dos and don’ts, it’s a lot to follow,” he said.