It’s over: Manchester’s most iconic student bar Squirrels won’t be reopening

At least 60 student jobs have been lost due to its closure

2 hours ago

One of Manchester’s most iconic student-only bars, Squirrels, won’t be reopening after its closure last year.

In September 2024, Squirrels was permanently closed by the University of Manchester and Manchester’s Students’ Union to make way for shiny new accommodation as part of a big campus redevelopment. At the time, students were promised a temporary replacement bar, but that plan has now been scrapped.

At least 60 student jobs, once kept alive by Squirrels, will be lost due to the bar’s closure, with current staff jobs on the line too.

The University of Manchester and Manchester Students’ Union told The Manchester Tab redevelopment plans will create a “brand-new, high-quality student accommodation”, alongside a hub providing a new bar and areas for students to socialise.

Last year, Squirrels was closed along with Oak House, a student accommodation, and the temporary replacement, Bars on Campus, was expected to open in its place.

But between September 2024 and August 2025, costs for Bars on Campus have spiralled from £1m to £1.5m, while capacity has been slashed from 550 to just 270 students.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, students aren’t impressed. Many have called the closure a move that ignores both their population needs and the cost of living crisis in Fallowfield.

Students and staff alike have also said they were genuinely excited for the iconic bar to return.

One student told The Manchester Tab: “Squirrels is a massive part of my life and uni experience and I am disgusted with what the university and SU are doing.”

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A post shared by Squirrel’s Bar (@squirrels_bar)

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The University of Manchester and University of Manchester Students’ Union jointly said: “Squirrels closed in June 2025, in line with plans regarding the Fallowfield campus redevelopment. This redevelopment will see the creation of brand-new, high-quality student accommodation, and a new Central Amenity Hub, which will provide a new bar facility and spaces for students to socialise and study on the South Manchester campus.

“While the redevelopment work is underway, temporary options were explored to ensure that students’ demand for an on-site bar were met. It has been decided that the existing bar at Uttley House will be expanded, allowing the university to sustainably invest, and also ensuring that the bar will be open for the September intake of students.”

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A post shared by Squirrel’s Bar (@squirrels_bar)

The university and union continued: “We will continue to find all possible part-time employment opportunities for students, as the number of students seeking employment has surged over the past few years.

“Squirrels has had an amazing history and leaves behind a strong legacy, which the Programme Board is doing its utmost to ensure is upheld within the new Central Amenity Hub.

“Following a consultation process, students said that they want the Central Amenity Hub to be a multifunctional space which has affordable price points, retains the character of Squirrels, and provides students with study and social spaces, much like the Students’ Union. The Central Amenity Hub is an exciting milestone in the partnership between the university and the Students’ Union, who have been deeply involved in creating a hub which serves students’ and societies’ needs.”

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Featured image via @squirrels_bar on Instagram