Manchester University Press is inviting readers, pub-goers and anyone interested in Britain’s social history to a special free event celebrating the publication of their new book Pubs for the People.

Taking place at Track Brewing Co.’s taproom in Manchester, the event will bring together sociologists Sivamohan Valluvan and Amit Singh, authors of Pubs for the People, alongside Lewis Bassett, author of The Full English (Verso), for a discussion on England’s eating and drinking culture and the social forces that have shaped it.

Drawing on history, sociology and personal experience, the conversation will explore why Britain’s relationship with food, drink and public spaces looks the way it does today, and what the future holds for one of the country’s most enduring institutions: the pub.

Published by Manchester University Press in October, Pubs for the People offers a fresh examination of the role of pubs in British social life. Co-authored by two sociologists, the book investigates how public houses have helped shape communities, identities and everyday life across generations.

Sivamohan Valluvan is a sociologist at the University of Warwick and the author of The Clamour of Nationalism: Race and Nation in Twenty-First-Century Britain. His writing has appeared in publications including The Guardian, Renewal, Salvage, Red Pepper and Progressive Review.

Amit Singh is a sociologist at University College London and author of Cancelled Futures: Class, Race, and Place in Post-Industrial Britain. He also brings a personal connection to the subject, having grown up in a family with a long association with the pub trade.

Hosted at one of Manchester’s best-known independent breweries, the evening will provide an opportunity to hear from these brilliant authors while enjoying a drink in an informal setting. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing, with copies of both authors’ books available to purchase on the night.

The event is free to attend, but advance booking is recommended.

Event details

Pubs for the People: Sivamohan Valluvan and Amit Singh with Lewis Bassett
Track Brewing Co. Taproom, Manchester
Free admission

• Reserve a free ticket via Eventbrite: Book your place