opened

GARY “MANI” MOUNFIELD’s legacy lives on thanks to a huge vault of unreleased music.

The rocker was laid to rest in December following his sudden death the month before.

I’m told there have been talks with his Stone Roses bandmates about releasing a song dedicated to him.

A source said: “Tracks Mani recorded with the band after their reunion in 2011, along with songs he made with Primal Scream, are all in a vault which could soon be opened.

“Mani was one of the most prolific musicians around and as well as playing with The Roses and Primal Scream, he was involved in numerous side projects.

“There are tracks featuring him by The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, Free Bass and Mantra Of The Cosmos.

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“The hope is that these tracks will come out in tribute to him, possibly even as a compilation. It’s all early days but there are ongoing discussions about how best to pay tribute to his music legacy.”

After The Stone Roses reformed for concerts in 2011, they went into the studio to record new material and released two singles, All For One and Beautiful Thing.

But a third album never materialised, despite there being more songs.

Zak Starkey, son of Beatle Ringo Starr, revealed Mani agreed to be the bass player for Mantra Of The Cosmos but had to walk away after initial sessions to care for his wife Imelda, who died in 2023.

Drummer Zak said: “Due to his amazing strong woman Imelda being very sick, he couldn’t commit to Mantras.

“There was no substitute for Mani so we never had a bass player, it just wouldn’t have been right.”

Bella in nightclub hold-up

IT’S not often we see celebs falling out of nightclubs these days, given they’re more prone to neck a protein milkshake than a martini.

But Bella Hadid almost took a tumble outside the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Los Angeles.

Luckily for Bella, all those years walking in heels on catwalks means she’s a pro at keeping her balance – and she grabbed on to a handily parked 4×4 car to keep her upright.

Bella shared snaps from her night out at the trendy haunt and revealed she was with New York designer Noah Ruttenberg and her stylist Mimi Cuttrell before making this spectacular exit.

EX-Coronation Street actor Adam Rickitt is relaunching his solo career.

He got the part of Nick Tilsley in 1997, and went on to have a No5 song with his debut single I Breathe Again in 1999.

But after album Good Times limped in at No41, he was dropped from his label.

Adam said online about going back into the studio: “We did a version of Breathe Again, which was nice. We’ve got a really good song idea. We’re going to record a new song.”

SCAM FEAR CUT SHORT J-LO HAIRDRESSER GIG

CELEBRITY hairdresser Chris Appleton thought Jennifer Lopez was a scammer when he first got an email from her.

He told Roxie Nafousi’s Rise With Roxie podcast: “I remember I got an email from J-Lo’s team.

“It was like, ‘Jennifer Lopez is doing her Vegas tour and she would, you know, want to work with you.’ I remember I ignored the first email because I thought, ‘Oh this is probably just spam or something’. And then I got another one and I remember thinking, ‘How does J-Lo know who I am?’.”

Unluckily for Chris, who counts Kim Kardashian among his famous clients, he ended up missing the boat because he failed to respond.

BANDS including A Day to Remember, The Primals and Creeper have joined the list of rock gods playing Download Festival.

The mega event taking place at Donnington Park from June 10 to 14 will also feature acts such as headliners Limp Bizkit, Guns n’ Roses, Linkin Park, plus Cypress Hill, Trivium, Bad Omens and Pendulum.

Tickets for the festival in Leicestershire will go on sale at 10am tomorrow.

JAIL JOB STIRS UP MARCUS

MARCUS MUMFORD says working with jail inmates gave him inspiration for new album Prizefighter.

The Mumford And Sons frontman said: “Alley Cat, I wrote in a prison actually. I go into prison and do poetry workshops and that came out of one of those sessions with the lads.

“I felt slightly conflicted about it to start with.”

While the track hasn’t yet been picked as a single, the record is going down a storm.

Prizefighter is on course to give Mumford And Sons their fourth UK No1 album on Friday, after topping the chart in the midweek update.

Marcus has been volunteering in prisons since the end of lockdown.

The singer added: “If all of us were defined by the worst thing we ever did, we’d all be f***ed.

“I believe in grace, I believe in mercy, I believe in responsibility, choices, consequences, of course.”

Good for him.

CRUZ GETS HIS BREAK IN EUROPE

CRUZ BECKHAM AND THE BREAKERS are making waves with sold-out shows in London, Brighton, Southampton and Leeds.

Now the youngest son of Posh and Becks has announced a European leg including gigs in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Cruz said: “I’m so excited to get out on the road.

“I’ve always been inspired by bands who do it the right way.”
Their run of shows kick off tomorrow night at Mama Roux’s in Birmingham.

A HISTORIC UK pub has reopened after a £1.8million renovation.

The Hoop and Grapes pub in Farringdon, London has reopened after a huge refurb – and all the buildings around it are modern skyscrapers.

The Grade-II listed pub has been closed since 2019 as the surrounding area was redeveloped.

Restored by Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame, the refurbished pub still celebrates its history, whilst also adding vibrant and modern elements.

The pub was originally built in 1721 on land that used to be a part of St Bride’s Church burial ground and is thought to have been a wine merchant’s home.

And the boozer is well known for being the site of illicit ‘Fleet Marriages’.

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These were weddings that took place illegally in the late 17th century and often involved couples wanting to marry fast, for example when a woman was pregnant.

To bring the story to life, the pub has added a swing sign which depicts an 18th-century wedding scene.

There are also hand-painted signs on the outside of the pub that add to the historic front facade.

The boozer also once held a special license to operate from 2am to 5am for printers and market workers.

Across five floors, the building offers three different experiences.

On the ground floor is where visitors will find a traditional London pub with a courtyard garden.

On the first floor, there is then a comfortable seating area.

And the top floor is a more intimate piano room, ideal for private events.

The menu features dishes with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce.

There are buffet feast boards as well, such as a beef burger sliders platter for £50 or a pork and sage Scotch eggs board for £45.

When it comes to having a tipple, the pub boasts Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Kentish ales and lagers, English wines and cocktails.

According to the pub’s website, “the name ‘Hoop & Grapes’ likely refers to the metal hoops used to hold barrels together, and the grape-derived wines that will have been the daily business of this 18th century building even before it became a public house.

“However, a possible alternative reading of the name is that ‘Hoop’ could be a corruption of the word ‘Hops’ and the name might simply refer to the availability of both beers and wines within.”

One visitor said: “Best pub in the ‘City’ in my opinion.”

Another simply said: “Beautiful pub.”

In other pub news, here’s a very extensive list of London’s 35 best pubs – by the locals who drink in them.

Plus, the best pubs across the UK – including indoor slides, huge beer gardens and pints cheaper than Wetherspoons.

A NEW budget-friendly hotel has opened up in a major tourist destination.

A 532-room Moxy hotel has just opened in London’s Piccadilly Circus within an old office building in the West End.

The hotel is the largest Moxy outside of New York and inside, decor is inspired by Horses of Helios fountain, which can be found on Piccadilly Circus.

Pictures also show purple interiors, with neon lights and vibrant murals.

Rooms nod to the nearby theatre district too, with names such as ‘Showstopper’, ‘Showtime’ and ‘Spotlight’.

There are eight different room types, but each features a comfy bed, speedy WiFi, motion-activated LED guidelights and walk-in showers.

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One room option is the Moxy Loft, where guests climb up a ladder to a loft bed and underneath is a sofa bed.

However, some rooms don’t have a window.

The hotel has two bars, including House of Helios which is a 24/7 bar serving cocktails.

Then there is Snacks 24/7, where snacks and beverages are available at all times.

But it is worth noting that complimentary breakfast is not currently served at the hotel.

Until March 1, you can also book a Be My Moxytine stay, with accommodation, breakfast for two at Masala Zone, two cocktails and late check-out until 4pm.

It costs from just £55 per person to stay, or £110 per night.

Halima Aziz, head of hotels at Criterion, said: “The opening of Moxy London Piccadilly Circus marks an exciting milestone for Criterion.

“With its fun, energetic and contemporary concept, Moxy is the perfect fit for this global district – right in the heart of nightlife, theatreland, retail and the city’s renowned culinary scene.

“It’s a fantastic addition to our growing portfolio of prime hospitality assets, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Marriott International to bring this building to life in a way that prioritises sustainability.”

Paul Thomas, vice-president, international hotel development at Marriott International, added: “By reimagining an existing building, Moxy London Piccadilly Circus showcases our commitment to bold, lifestyle-led hospitality while honouring the heritage and vibrant energy of one of London’s most iconic destinations.

“Set in the heart of the city, Piccadilly Circus perfectly captures the playful spirit of the Moxy brand, offering guests an immersive West End experience.”

Piccadilly Circus is one of the most-visited and busiest spots in the UK.

And around 100million people visit the giant LED screens each year.

The landmark is great base to explore central London from, with Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, Leicester Square and Soho all within walking distance.

The brand behind Moxy – Criterion Capital – also recently opened a Zedwell hotel, which is the largest capsule hotel and can be found in Piccadilly Circus.

Travel writer Helen Wright stayed recently and said: “Inside, decked out with a modern concrete and timber design, there are nearly 1,000 individual sleep capsules over five floors.

“It’s a twist on the traditional ‘dorm style’ hostel set up as each guest gets privacy and security of being tucked up in your capsule, with the ability to lock it from the inside.

“On first glance, the dorm rooms, which are minimalist and dimly-lit looked a bit like a car park or a storage locker.

“However, inside, I was surprised to find a cute little space, with mood lighting and welcoming interiors.

“Each capsule is made from oak and come with a single Hypnos mattress, Egyptian cotton bedding, individual mini aircon or heat, smart climate control, noise reduction, and ambient lighting.

“There is also a plug socket inside, two USB plugs and a mirror.”

In other hotel news, these are 12 of our favourite UK hotels to visit this year – from cosy farm retreats to £55 all-inclusives in London.

Plus, is this the UK’s fanciest Premier Inn? New hotel opens inside former Victorian police station.

IT’S 9AM in Spain and I’ve just taken my first cold sip from a foam-topped pint of lager as the enthusiastic buzz of holidaymakers fills the airport’s departures lounge.

When in Rome… Except I’m actually west of there, in the Spanish city of Alicante, where the first international Wetherspoons has just opened its doors.

I’m one of the lucky few getting a slightly advanced preview of the boozer on opening day.

But I can already see a queue forming at the door – mainly all Brits who are excitedly posing for snaps under the large sign.

What’s not British, however, is the pub’s name: Castell de Santa Barbara, after Alicante’s glorious 9th century castle which is perched high on a hill, with impressive views of the coastline and sprawling city.

The first punter to order a Guinness is Sun reader Kelvin from Salisbury who says that the opening of the British boozer was “a nice surprise” when he turned up today. 

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“When the taxi dropped me off, I saw the Wetherspoons sign from the outside and thought: perfect. I headed straight here.”

He visits his local ‘Spoons a couple of times a month and an 11:30am pint isn’t out of the ordinary for him.”

Kelvin’s usual: “a small breakfast and a pint – easy peasy”, is on this international menu.

In fact, all the familiar favourites are, bar a few nods to stereotypical Spanish cuisine like the garlic prawns and Spanish tortilla, priced at a reasonable price of €12.45 and €4.95 respectively.

“It’s nice to get something different when you go abroad,” Kelvin says, eyeing up the European selection of beers on tap.

The man sat opposite us is sticking to the classics, though – burger and chips, washed down with a pint of lager.

Another couple, stood at the bar – admittedly not mega Wetherspoons fans, but familiar with the chain – say: “We saw the sign and said ‘we’ve got to try it’.

“We’ll definitely be telling our friends, who fly here regularly, about it”.

It would make sense that most of the faces here are British.

The pub has pitched itself in the non-Schengen area, close to the gates for UK flights to draw in the near 650,000 Brits that pass through this airport monthly.

The decision to open here feels like a wise move, especially with last year being a bumper year for UK travellers to this Spanish airport, which sits a 45-minute drive from the popular resort town of Benidorm.

Last October saw a surge of 5.9 per cent of British passengers passing through the airport compared to the same month the year before – and that number is expected to grow even more.

And what’s not to love about an airport Spoons?

It certainly feels much brighter than other airport Wetherspoons I’ve visited.

Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the small space with light, while candy floss, glossy tiles give it a warm atmosphere.

There’s a tea and coffee station in the corner, while behind the bar there’s not a whiff of scampi fries or walkers in sight.

These have been replaced by the European holiday favourite, Lays.

This one boasts something that all other airport Wetherspoons do not, however – an outdoor terrace, where you can catch those last glimpses of Spanish sunshine before jetting off home to drizzly England.

The only thing it’s missing is that familiar smell of well-trodden carpet and old chip fryer oil. Give it time, though.

And keep your eyes peeled for the appearance of more Wetherspoons, internationally.

Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin says: “We aim to open a number of pubs overseas in the coming months and years, including those at airports.”

Cheers to that.

Here is the airport Wetherspoons named the best in the UK.