Iconic Manchester pub bought for £1 to get huge £1m transformation into 'adult playground'

An iconic city centre pub instantly recognisable with Manchester’s students is set to receive a huge £1m transformation and a new name after being bought for just £1.

In May, The Footage pub, situated on the corner of Grosvenor Street and Oxford Road, closed suddenly without warning. It had been a popular and long-standing drinking spot within close proximity to the Manchester Metropolitan University campus and the University of Manchester for years.

Operated by Crafted Social, which is part of the Stonegate Group, at the time little was said about the decision to close down, but the Grade II listed premises was later listed online for just £1.

READ MORE: Inside the 'wacky' Brassic pub you can visit in real life

It has now been revealed that the pub and former cinema, dating back to 1912, has indeed been bought for the £1 asking price by independent pub operator Blind Tiger Inns, who also own the likes of The Chestergate in Stockport, The White Horse in Irlam and famed United fan pub The Trafford.

Now, the pub is set to reopen next month following a massive £1m refurb. It will be renamed The Grosvenor - in a nod to both its street location and its original roots when the venue was first built as the Grosvenor Picture Palace, which was, for some time, the largest cinema outside London.

The revamp will see the pub offer the ‘ultimate adult escapism experience’ featuring ‘outrageous’ interiors, huge sports screens, a photobooth and even an actual slide - where people will be able to whoosh past the original cinema balcony.

The venue will feature 30 beer taps, and will continue its previous association with social games with pool tables, beer pong, darts and more. Live sports will be showcased throughout the week, with