A CAFE which hosts live music is backing Independent Venue Week with two nights of entertainment.

The Snug Coffee House in Atherton started hosting live music around 18 months ago.

And since then the Market Street hub has welcomed bands in sell-out gigs with up to 200 revellers each time.

There will be three bands performing on Friday, January 31, and three more on Saturday, February 1.

Owner Rachael Flaszczak, 43, from Atherton, said: "Independent Venue Week gives emerging bands the platform to be seen and heard. "It was a big success when we supported it last year.

"It is important to support smaller venues because every band starts out at small places.

"We also know how difficult it is for independent venues to stay open and it can be hard for bands to play at places too.

"We offer a place for bands to go before they get bigger."

Leigh Journal:

The Pagans (Shepherds of Humanity) from Birmingham playing at The Snug Coffee House last year

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Music lover Rachael, who remembers seeing Catfish and the Bottlemen and Twisted Wheel perform in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley before they found fame, watches bands play before booking them.

Leigh band Lottery Winners also played there before Christmas in a gig which sold out in 5 minutes.

The first night next week will see Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham's Manc Band of the Month, Stanleys, performing alongside The Lounge Society and Over Oceans.

The Pagans (Shepherds of Humanity), The Salts and Stepford Wives will play on the following night.

Doors open at 7pm on both nights. To book tickets visit dice.com.