Your bumper briefing of weekly news and what to look out for
Eat Well MCR invites venues to Do Good this October
From 21 to 27 October restaurants will be taking part in Eat Well Do Good, a week-long city wide festival aiming to raise vital funds to support Eat Well MCR’s ongoing efforts to provide meals to those in need. As part of its fundraising efforts, the collective is encouraging hospitality venues across Greater Manchester to get involved.
They are inviting venues to participate by, for example:
- Hosting a special ticketed event, such as a collaboration with a guest chef or another restaurant
- Offering a special dish or drink which includes a donation to Eat Well
- Adding an optional £1 donation on every bill
- Organising sponsored events, eg distance runs
Deadline for inclusion in the programme is Sunday 1 September.
Sign up here
No pictures, no problem?
Louis' to open Friday 13 September
Louis', the Italian-American inspired restaurant from Adam and Drew Jones, the brothers behind Tattu and Fenix, has announced it will open on Friday 13 September.
The marketing and branding that has so far emerged shows a clear nod to all things New York's golden age of mafioso glamour and the trappings of the cosa nostra - 'this thing of ours'.
This sense of secrecy even extends to the restaurant's photography policy, which is simple - you can't take photos. This is quite a departure from their previous two restaurants, which have made a reputation out of being something close to photography studios with the odd plate of food whizzing by.
If you've been to Louis' for a meal and it's not documented on Instagram, did it happen? Let's see.
Let the Old Abbey get even older
Old Abbey Taphouse Fundraiser Weekend
The Old Abbey Taphouse, community favourite for everything from easygoing pints to DJ nights and Sunday jazz sessions, needs your support.
Following the announcement of the closure of their kitchen last month, they're hoping to raise £15,000 to convert their now unused kitchen space into a dedicated venue that can host gigs, club nights, community meetings, art programmes and talks, and secure the future of the pub throughout the winter months when their outdoor space is unusable.
This bank holiday family-friendly festival will include an array of live music, DJs with some big headliners to be announced, food traders, market stalls and more, with a creative input from promoters such as Earthly Pleasures, Nossa!, Steam Radio, Calm Sessions, Bangers & Mash, Breaking Bars, Raise The Bar, Seamus Presents, Step Ladder Records, Do It Ourselves and more.
Raising the target of £15,000 will secure the future of a community hub and one of the city's gems.
There's an array of tickets to be bought, which you can find here
The transformation continues...
Holt Town Regeneration: Have Your Say
Manchester City Council has begun gathering feedback around the proposals for transforming Holt Town, situated in the east of the city centre towards Sport City and the Ethiad Campus.
Here's the council's proposal:
"Holt Town presents an opportunity to create a new town within the city, developing 74 acres (30ha) of underused, brownfield land that has the potential to deliver thousands of new homes – including significant affordable housing – alongside an exciting new cultural offer, new high quality green and play space, and new commercial space.
"Bound by the city centre one side and Sport City and the Etihad Campus the other, major investment in this area will finally create a link between these two key economic drivers for Manchester and continue the long-term regeneration of Ancoats and New Islington into east Manchester."
The consultation will be open for six weeks from 19 August to 29 September 2024.
Respondents can provide feedback via www.holttownwoodtown.com
Local people can also attend two in-person drop-in events at Church of the Apostles & St Cuthbert's, Ridgeway Street, Miles Platting, Manchester M40 7FY.
- Wednesday 18th September 1 - 5 pm
- Thursday 19th September 3 - 7 pm
The Next Generation of Olympians...
'Find Your Greatness' Campaign
Now that Paris 2024 is finished and we look ahead to the LA 2028 Games, the search is on for the next generation of TeamGB and ParalympicGB athletes.
High performance sport agency UK Sport has launched its 'Find Your Greatness' campaign to find young athletes who could represent their country in Los Angeles.
Here's UK Sport with some more information:
"Targeted at active and sporty 16-24-year-old UK nationals, including those with physical, visual or intellectual impairments, applications are now open until 14 October 2024.
"With 39% of Brits aged 18-24 thinking they could make Team GB at the LA 2028 Games, this is an opportunity for some of those dreams to become a reality.
"The campaign is seeking young athletes for a range of disciplines, including skeleton, cycling (track, mountain biking, BMX freestyle and BMX racing), rowing, modern pentathlon, weightlifting, climbing, shooting, volleyball, handball, and all para sports."
To find out more about Find Your Greatness and how you can get involved, visit its website
Picture of the Week: Strangeways Tower
We've chosen an easy one this week. Firstly, it was taken by our own Hayden Naughton. Secondly, who can't be impressed by the imposing majesty of the iconic Strangeways tower, especially against a red sky.
If you've got a photo you'd like us to consider for Picture of the Week, send it to davida@confidentials.com
Fancy Gaffs
This week's fancy gaff comes from the land of fancy gaffs, Bowden.
It's a £3m subterranean home on St Margaret's Road, built by footballers' favourite developer, Huntsmere.
Could you spend three million to live underground? Let us know in the comments.
Bits and Bobs
National Burger Day - Thursday 22 August
It's National Burger Day on Thursday apparently, so why not join in the festivities and treat yourself to something beyond the confines of the McDonald's saver menu?
Why not go one better and support a local business that's been regionally recognised, in Salford-born Burgerism?
National Bao Day - Thursday 22 August
It's also National Bao Day on Thursday apparently, and Suki Suki on Deansgate are offering £1 bao buns from midday to 6pm. It's another local business so swerve the chains and give Suki Suki a go.
Get the latest news to your inbox
Get the latest food & drink news and exclusive offers by email by signing up to our mailing list. This is one of the ways that Confidentials remains free to our readers and by signing up you help support our high quality, impartial and knowledgable writers. Thank you!
Join our WhatsApp group
You can also get regular updates on news, exclusives and offers by joining the Manchester Confidential WhatsApp group.
