Your bumper briefing of news and what to look out for
Porta Tapas taking over Greens Didsbury site
Following the closure of Greens Didsbury at the start of this year, the brothers behind Porta Tapas have announced they will take over the site on Lapwing Lane, and plan to open in November.
Ben and Joe Wright opened the first Porta in Chester in 2012, before launching in Altrincham in 2016 and Chapel Street, Salford in 2018.
As at the other locations, the menu will be a tour of Spanish tapas classics - all home made - and daily specials. Porta is also importing some of the finest produce from across Spain.
Ben said: “We’d had our eyes open for another site for a while but really struggled to find the right thing. Then, just when we weren’t looking, this amazing spot came along! We love the sense of community here and of course the lovely building. We can’t wait to get to know everyone.”
Joe added: “It’s an amazing building, and its history is fascinating. We’ve visited Greens a few times over the years and are big fans of what the two Simon’s have achieved. The pressure is on us to do it justice!”
Lunya to be staff-owned
Liverpool tapas restaurant Lunya has shown the dining world how its done by announcing that it will be operating as an Employee Owned Trust (EOT) following the decision by owners Peter and Elaine Kinsella to begin stepping back from the business.
Here’s a brief explanation of an EOT: “An EOT is a Government backed scheme with the aim of increasing employee engagement to ensure the long term future and stability of a businesses, whilst allowing the previous owners to retire over a period of time. The business is valued by independent accountants, HMRC approve this valuation, and the founders (Peter and Elaine) shares are gifted to a specially created Employee Owned Trust.”
In a statement on their website the couple said: “With this transition to an Employee Owned Trust, we are ensuring that Lunya’s core values, our mission to showcase the very best of food and drink from Spain and commitment to quality throughout remain intact.
“The move to employee ownership reflects our belief that the people who have been integral to Lunya’s success should have a stake in its future. This new structure not only rewards the hard work and dedication of the staff but also empowers them to play a direct role in the restaurant’s continued growth and innovation as we retire gradually. Importantly, in the future, they will financially benefit from Lunya’s success.”
The Trading Route to open November
St John’s will see its latest addition in November as The Trading Route will open on Good Yards Street.
A collaboration between Trof, Manchester Union Brewery and fine wine purveyors Wandering Palate, it promises “cold beers and hot chicken” and will kick off with a day-long party of free beer and chicken for mailing list subscribers.
Jamie Scahill from Manchester Union said: “The Trading Route is an unofficial tap room for us, and it feels like this has been a long time coming. Working with our friends at Trof and Wandering Palate has been great, with our offerings and expertise perfectly complementing one another. We can’t wait for people to come down to experience our very own lagerhouse over a few pints this November.” To sign up for the mailing visit their website.
Fenix and Louis' to land in London
Permanently Unique, them of Tattu, Fenix and Louis’, have announced plans to open outposts of both Fenix and Louis’ in London. What with their genuinely impressive revenue and profit performances from this year and their reputation as a sort of film set for Saturday nights out, it was surely only a matter of time.
But where in London? Soho? Dalston? The banks of Victoria Park duck pond? Let’s wait and see.
MTV auditions local dancers ahead of EMAs
This week in Salford, MTV and Dancers Inc auditioned dancers to take part in the upcoming MTV EMAs. Hundreds of dancers took part to be in with a chance to perform on stage at what is surely another feather in the cap of Manchester’s status as a global music city.
It’s great to see local talent involved, and congratulations to those that pass the audition.
Dementia Cafes open on Monday
Following its successful bid earlier this year to launch the UK’s First Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia, Manchester Camerata is bringing its ground-breaking Music in Mind programme for people living with dementia to all ten Greater Manchester boroughs from Monday (15 October) in partnership with The Alzheimer’s Society and the University of Manchester.
Having secured major financial support from Mayor Andy Burnham, the NHS in Greater Manchester and The Power of Music Fund from the National Association of Social Prescribing, Music Cafés for people living with dementia and their carers will run weekly in community centres, church halls and dementia support groups in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh.
Each Music Café provides in the moment’ person-centered care for people living with dementia based upon Camerata’s award winning Music in Mind techniques. For further details of timings and venues please visit MusicinMind.org.
Womex 24 festival
From 24-26 October this year’s Womex 24 Festival, a worldwide music expo, hosts a mix of musical genres and styles, including folk, roots, jazz and electronic, with artists representing diverse cultures and regions from around the globe.
Spread across six stages, over 50 acts will be performing in venues like Aviva Studios, Manchester Central Exchange Auditorium, Albert Hall and O2 Ritz.
Click here for the full schedule of performances.
Stockroom applications now open
Stockroom, Stockport’s exciting new creative and cultural centre, is set to open next year and to celebrate this, local artists are being given the opportunity to apply for Creative Commissions and Kick Start programming grants.
The Creative Commissions will fund projects including murals and window installations and are open to professional artists, ideally with a personal or professional connection to Stockport.
The Kick Start grants are focused on helping individuals and organisations deliver events which could include music performances, comedy, festivals, or other cultural programming, all designed to engage the community and showcase local talent. Artists and event organisers will work closely with the people of Stockport, emphasising Stockroom’s ethos of being “of, with and for Stockport.”
Cllr Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said: “Stockroom is all about the community, and we want to create this space with the people of Stockport. We’re excited to offer these grants and get local people involved in creating art and also delivering events that will engage and inspire the town. I can’t wait for Stockroom to open next year and show everyone what it’s all about.”
Applications are open until October 28, 2024.
To apply and find out more visit their website.
Ray Harryhausen exhibition
Great news for fans of Jason and the Argonauts and the magical special effects created long before the days of digital technology; Sale Waterside will be hosting a free exhibition of trailblazing special effects artist and animator Ray Harryhausen from 26 October to 4 January.
The Lost Worlds of Ray Harryhausen: Creatures, Martians and Myths at Waterside, Sale from Saturday 26 October to Saturday 4 January.
Sale to have new cinema from Rex and Savoy
Sticking in Sale, here’s a mockup of The Northern Light cinema that’s due to open in Sale’s Stanley Square.
From the team behind The Savoy in Heaton Moor and The Rex in Wilmslow, it will be a welcome addition to the scene in Sale.
Picture of the Week
Grinslow Knoll, near Edale
You know you’re properly in your 30s when your friend celebrates their birthday with a big old walk. I spent a Sunday walking with friends in Edale, followed by a nice lunch at The Old Nag’s Head (est.1577)
The appetite was fired up from getting to the top of this bloody thing, and it was lovely.
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