The Alchemist has teamed up with Grey Goose and social enterprise Foodinate to gift customers a cocktail in exchange for food to raise awareness of rising food poverty.
The Swap Shop initiative invites you to “swap a tin of food for a free cocktail”.
According to the Trussell Trust 1, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has seen an increase in people relying on food banks across the country, with 100,000 households using them for the very first time over the lockdown period.
Foodbank usage is expected to increase even further over Christmas.
The Swap Shop initiative – which is now in its second year – will once again aim to raise awareness for rising national food poverty and will do so by encouraging guests to exchange a “non-perishable food item” in return for a cocktail.
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Every guest donating a non-perishable food item will receive a much-loved colour changing cocktail, although The Alchemist has said that larger donations are welcomed.
All donations will then be taken to The Mustard Tree charity ready for those in need.
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The Alchemist Spinningfields, New York Street and Media City will accept food items throughout the day, and will also be respecting necessary social distancing measures by offering a takeaway cocktail for those unable to enjoy in the venue.
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Tackling food poverty has been a long-term passion for The Alchemist.
Last year’s Swap Shop initiative saw over 3,000 donations collected, and the brand has been partnered with Foodinate since May 2018, helping to provide hot and nourishing meals for those in need in local communities when guests order any menu items marked with the Foodinate fork logo.
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To date, The Alchemist has provided 65,000 meals for the social enterprise.
Speaking on the initiative, Hannah Plumb – Culture and Talent Director at The Alchemist – said: “We love the work carried out by Foodinate. It’s a truly fantastic initiative tackling food poverty across the country which is an issue we’re passionate about at The Alchemist.
“The Swap Shop is a fun and engaging way to encourage customers to donate to their local food banks, who need our support now more than ever.”
The Swap Shop 2020 will take place for one day only on Tuesday 13th October.
Eats
Manchester dessert hatch receives two-star review for ‘smiling too much’
Daisy Jackson
A dessert hatch in Manchester city centre has spoken out after receiving a two-star review – in which the main criticism was that they ‘smiled too much’.
Layr, a tiny tiramisu spot in Ancoats, has publicly addressed the review, which said the staff’s friendliness was ‘almost creepy’.
The reviewer wrote: “Came today, had alright tiramisu but the staff were smiling too much it was almost creepy. Also felt interrogated, just wanted to get my tiramisu and leave, don’t think ill be back.”
Layr – which was also the victim of ‘hostile hate messages’ earlier this year – has now shared a response to the new two-star review.
They’ve said that while they will always take feedback on board, they refuse to change ‘the warmth & smiles you’re greeted with’.
Layr posted: “We absolutely recognise, and know that every customer experience matters. We never want anyone to feel uncomfortable visiting us, and always take every bit of feedback on board.
“Smiling is just who we are. Layr was built to feel warm, welcoming, and to be a memorable part of your day, week or month. We all need that little pick-me-up no matter what.
“Our amazing team all work incredibly hard, GENUINELY enjoy meeting so many of you and hearing about your day.
“If being too friendly gets us two stars, we can live with that.
“We’ll always choose warmth, no matter what. Great tiramisu matters, so does good people and amazing energy.
“A message to our team. Please don’t stop smiling. Ever.”
Huge beer hall in ‘up-and-coming’ Manchester neighbourhood announces shock closure after two years
Daisy Jackson
A huge beer hall and rotisserie chicken restaurant that opened just two years ago in Manchester has announced its shock closure.
Trading Route was a joint venture between some of the city’s most established hospitality figures, including Trof, Manchester Union, and Wandering Palate.
The brilliant local business has described how difficult it has been to operate as the only independent business in St John’s, ‘an area that is still described as ‘up-and-coming”.
They said that not enough footfall has not come to the area to support what they were building, which – combined with rising costs in the industry – has made it too difficult to continue operating.
They added: “We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.”
They then urged people to sign the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality, saying it could help to save your favourite places.
The Trading Route in Manchester has closed with immediate effectThe bar served great local beers and rotisserie chicken
Trading Route will close in Manchester with immediate effect.
Their full statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Trading Route with immediate effect.
“Rising costs and stagnant footfall have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with trading conditions particularly challenging over the previous three months.
“We spent our first 12 months operating amid ongoing construction in an area that is still described as “up-and-coming”. As the only independent business in the area, we needed footfall to grow to support what we were building. Unfortunately, that growth hasn’t materialised quickly enough.
“We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.
“It’s too late for us, but you could help save your favourite places by signing the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality to 10%. Independent bars, restaurants and pubs need your support to keep their doors open.
Emily Sergeant -
8th October 2020 
