A landmark photography project
Photography by Charlize Brown & Katie O'Neill
Sean Brett is the landlord and owner of The Old Nags Head, and one of the city centre’s most beloved characters. Often described as the “heart and soul of the city,” the pub is renowned for its warm welcome, DJ nights, Mancunian nostalgia, and strong sense of community.
Sean Brett - Landlord of Manchester's famous 'The Old Nags Head' pub
Being a Mancunian and playing even a small part in this city is truly heartwarming. It drives me to stay at the top of my game and to be the very best I can for everyone around me… especially my staff. Many of them arrive like lambs and leave like lions and having that kind of impact is something I feel incredibly grateful for. And then there are the thousands of people who come through the doors, have a great night, and leave without us ever meeting, yet knowing we’ve played a part in their experience is just as rewarding - Sean Brett
Sean was born in Blackley, North Manchester, in 1962. After exploring several different career paths, he unexpectedly became a landlord in 2011 when the pub was offered to him. Seizing the opportunity, Sean set out with a clear vision: to restore the building to its former Victorian splendour.
With remarkable dedication, he has curated and installed more than 5,000 photographs and decorative pieces celebrating Manchester’s rich musical heritage, local history, and sporting legends. These adorn every wall and ceiling across the pub’s three floors and roof garden, leaving scarcely an inch untouched.
Among the pub’s most distinctive features is the “George Best Room,” a tribute to the iconic footballer who was a regular visitor during the 1960s and 70s
Beyond the décor, Sean is widely admired for his generosity and community spirit. He actively supports numerous organisations, working closely with charities such as the NSPCC and Childline by hosting fundraising events at the pub.
The Old Nags Head continually supports the homeless through the sale of George Best T-shirts popular both at home and around the world. In the past he has thrown open the pub’s doors to the homeless on Christmas Day to offer a Christmas meal and bring much needed cheer to those sleeping rough in the city centre over the festive period.
The Old Nags Head
Over 5000 photos and poster fill every inch of the pub's walls & ceilings
The Old Nags Head, Jackson's Row, Manchester
One of the city centres most famous and welcoming pubs. A classic Victorian-style “proper boozer”
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Student reflection: Charlize Brown
I felt confident going into the shoot with Sean, seeing it as a valuable opportunity to further develop my photography skills. Sean was extremely approachable and made the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable. He was more than willing to follow my direction during the shoot and was open to the ideas I wanted to explore. He also took the time to show us around the entire building, sharing its history and explaining how he transformed it into the incredibly popular pub it is today.
The main technical challenge I encountered was lighting. The building was quite dimly lit, so we had to rely on our own trusty LED lighting wand throughout the shoot. Achieving the right balance of angles and lighting proved difficult at times, but I regularly reviewed the images on my camera to ensure they met a high standard and made adjustments where necessary.
Overall, I was very pleased with many of my final images which I believe successfully capture Sean's personality and the amazing character of the pub. I look forward to hopefully working on future Greater Mancunians shoots.
