'It's the end of an era' - Popular Irish pub closes its doors for a final time after 32 years

A popular Irish pub that’s been at the heart of its community for 32 years will close its doors for a final time tonight.

Earlier this year, Levenshulme favourite Fiddlers Green confirmed it would be shutting up shop some time after St Patricks Day. The announcement was met by an outpouring of love online with the pub's loyal customers left 'gutted' after branding it the "best pub" in Manchester.

Owners Bridie and James decided to sell the the pub and retire in order to spend more time with their family. The couple first bought the pub, formerly known as Dicey Riley's, in 1990 and despite planning to only run the pub for five to ten years, have stayed for over three decades.

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The name of the Stockport Road boozer is in reference to 19th-century English maritime folklore. In the old tales, believed to have been first mentioned in Frederick Marryat's 1856 novel ‘The Dog Fiend; Or, Snarleyyow’, the Fiddler’s Green was described as a sort of after-life for sailors.

Announcing the news on Facebook at the start of January, Bridie and James wrote: "Well the news is finally out Fiddlers Green has been sold and both of us are retiring. We’re emotional, we're happy ,and sad and probably confused but we’re pleased that we finally made the big decision.

"We’re overwhelmed with the response we’re getting from Levenshulme and the wider community. Levenshulme has been our home for so long it’s going to be hard to breakaway. St. Mary's Parish has always been our parish and will remain so.

"My amazing staff, we were always very lucky to have the best staff ,something I was always very proud of, they’re staying with us until the end. My locals, my regulars you have been