There's been lots of pub chat on the M.E.N website this week - The Old Grapes closing after more than 30 years to make way for a new office foyer; The Sir Ralph Abercromby being sacrificed for the decidedly uninspiring St Michael's development , and Mother Mac's being handed over to new custodians after three decades under the same manager.

People get upset when pubs close. Even more so when, like the Abercromby, the reasoning behind it seems flawed. This is a popular pub being scrubbed from the city's landscape due to a development plan rather than poor management or lack of demand.

Those who argue that Manchester is losing its heritage have a point - to a degree. Cities continue to develop and evolve. Pubs, like everything else, are prone to the same 'use them or lose them' tag as restaurants, shops, or anything else. A city's history is found in more places than at the bar - although rarely is it more entertaining.

Nostalgia is fine, but it doesn't pay the bills. Ask yourself - when was the last time you actually went to any of the places you're so sad are closing?

And when you actually stop to think about it, Manchester has plenty of old school 'proper pubs' - many situated in the hustle and bustle of the city centre. There are loads of them, actually - and plenty of the city's older pubs have been revived by younger, fresher managers who want to carry on Manchester's great pub history.

The loss of the Abercromby is a needless waste, and in the case of The Old Grapes, the city is losing a pub that may hold many treasured memories of yesteryear but which has become less relevant in recent times. It should have been a pub that cashed in on the growth around Spinningfields. That made itself vital - unclosable. Spinningfields is crying out for a great gastropub. That was the gap in the market, yet the Grapes failed to fill it.

Same for Mother Mac's. Yes, it had a certain charm based around 'characters' and its backstreet location, but again, here is the tale of a pub sat in an area with an expanded audience of thirsty customers that it simply didn't take advantage of.

A hidden Northern Quarter backstreet boozer - on paper - should be pulling in customers left, right and centre.

The reality is, those customers want craft beer, real ale, interesting spirits, decent food. Sadly, you wouldn't find any of this at the Mother Macs of old. The new managers will have a chance to make it relevant - as much as the pub company that owns it will allow - but they need to embrace changes in the wants and need of pubgoers young and old, or they'll continue to be ignored by the majority.

The reality is that drinkers in Manchester have moved on from Fosters, Kronenberg, Strongbow and Guinness on draught. And so have the best pubs.

Manchester pubs will never die. In fact, they should go on to define the look and feel of the city in the same way they've always done. By being relevant, by embracing trends and by making sure the offer is compelling.

Just like restaurants, competition has increased . The stakes are higher. Age is nothing but a number - and having history in your corner just isn't enough these days.

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