Sportswear giants Nike, size? and the We Love MCR Charity are launching an exclusive new rendition of the classic Air Force 1 to celebrate and support the City of Manchester.
The new collaboration pays homage to the Manchester ‘Worker Bee’.
The well-known ‘Worker Bee’ has been an emblem for the city since the Industrial Revolution and a symbol of Manchester’s hard work, resilience and unity.
As part of the launch, footwear company size? is donating 10% of sales from the Nike Air Force 1 Manchester shoe to the We Love MCR Charity and its ‘Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund’, which helps ambitious young Mancunians from disadvantaged backgrounds take their next steps to success in work, qualifications and entrepreneurship.
The Air Force 1 Manchester design has a premium leather and suede upper – featuring a neutral colour palette of tan and brown tones, with a sail midsole and a grey outsole – and, in a nod to the bee and the city of Manchester, the tongue is decorated with a honeycomb-like mesh, and sits alongside an embroidery of the ‘0161’ area code.
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The iconic silhouette is finished off with the ‘Worker Bee’ motif on the lateral as a way of celebrating everyone who is proud to call themselves Mancunian.
Nike / size? / We Love MCR
Speaking on the release of the shoe, Councillor Tommy Judge – Lord Mayor of Manchester and Chair of We Love MCR Charity – said: “This fantastic initiative unites Manchester’s iconic Worker Bee with a world-class product.
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“It is our greatest brand collaboration so far, by far”
“The funds we raise from every pair bought means we can support young Mancunians from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their potential. Our Manchester’s Rising Stars Fund awards grants to ambitious young people, to help them take their next steps to success in work, qualifications or entrepreneurship.
“With this help from size? and Nike, we can give a leg-up to even more talented young people looking to succeed in Manchester.”
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Nike / size? / We Love MCRNike / size? / We Love MCR
Fancy getting your hands on a pair?
With only 3,000 pairs of the shoes up for grabs, the Nike Air Force 1 Manchester size? exclusive – priced at £130 – will be open for raffle entry to reserve a pair from 8am on Sunday 15th November.
This must be done via the size? ‘launches’ app, which you can download here.
The raffle will then officially close at 8am on Thursday 19th November, and the lucky chosen raffle winners will then be given access to purchase a pair of these limited-edition trainers.
To find out more about We Love MCR Charity’s ‘Rising Stars Fund’, and how your purchase of the exclusive Nike Air Force 1 Manchester can truly make a difference to those who need it, head on over to the We Love MCR Charity website here.
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Family-run Greater Manchester business calls out customers for punching cakes
Thomas Melia
A well-known independent Greater Manchester business has taken to social media to call out customers who were caught on CCTV punching their cakes.
Known for everything from cakes and pastries to hot baked goods and custom chocolate designs, Slattery’s in Whitefield has been serving up their gorgeous cake and chocolate creations for over 50 years, all while keeping the business family-run.
Unfortunately, the reason they’re receiving lots of attention at the minute is due to two customers resorting to violence on their pre-packaged sweet-treat products.
The social media account for this Greater Manchester chocolatier has uploaded two images which show the outcome of the fatal blows which struck two of their Victoria Sponge cakes.
Although this punch may have cost them the price of two of their delicious traybakes, later on in the post, Slattery’s issues a big thanks to “All the wonderful families who’ve visited so far this summer.”
“We know cake can be exciting, but a gentle reminder that little bakers should remain under adult supervision at all times – Thank you.”
This third-generation family-run “chocolate wonderland” has brought a smile to many locals’ and tourists’ faces alike with their wide variety of unique-shaped chocolate bars, lollies, grab bags and more.
All throughout 2021, Slattery’s were serving up their moreish Slattery’s Chocolate Lockdown Platters consisting of shortbread, brownies, fudge, pretzels, marshmallows and Oreos, helping Mancs continue to get our sugary fix even during one of the country’s toughest times.
Just look at them – they do the lord’s work:
Slattery’s chocolate shop and bakery has called out customers on social media for punching their pre-packaged cakes / Credit: The Manc Group
As well as attracting visitors with its grand three-storey bakery and chocolate shop, Slattery’s also has its very own restaurant, Mason’s Dining Room, where people flock to attempt the ‘Chocolate Challenge’.
To win, two chocoholics must team up to finish an American-style chocolate fudge cake with chocolate ice cream, a portion of fresh cream and two chocolate pots filled with liquid chocolate sauce – oh and two delicious hot chocolate drinks too.
Any sweet tooth successor will bag themselves one of Slattery’s chocolate medals and a box of handmade chocolates too – in case you needed chocolate anymore.
Lastly, anyone after supporting this Greater Manchester sweet-treat provider can find the chocolatier and cake makers on 197 Bury New Road in Whitefield or via Slattery’s official website HERE.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Slattery’s (via Instagram)
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Plans to build tower next to Manchester’s historic Britons Protection pub scrapped
Danny Jones
Punters, rejoice: plans to build a large apartment tower next to Manchester’s Britons Protection pub have reportedly been scrapped after a long, drawn-out process and widespread protests.
What a relief.
One of the city’s oldest boozers, the Britons Protection was due to be dwarfed by a large development reaching 26 storeys tall, which not only would have encroached on the cultural landmark and storied watering hole, but also blocked out its popular beer garden to the rear.
We’ve seen a similar loss of outdoor drinking space with the recent St Michael’s development, which has essentially removed the equally historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub – though it is at least getting a refurb – but in truth, the ‘Protect the Protection’ fight has been going on much longer.
As per a notice published on Manchester City Council’s website this week, it now appears that the plans for 72 new flats have been cancelled, with developers Arrowsmith Management having officially withdrawn their application.
Run by Bahraini businessman Mohamed Abbas Haji, the company is now said to be reassessing its options for the ‘Apex Tower’ proposals.
Speaking to the BBC, Mark Brennan – who took over the pub back in January 2025 – said: “I’m quite happy to be honest, a lot of people say the pub might be busier with more people about, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to people coming in here.”
“It would have looked horrendous… It’s Grade II-listed, so the pub should always be here. It wouldn’t have been a good look, having a big ugly building on top of our building.”
Countless Mancunians have echoed the sentiment over the past few years, with appeals dating back to post-pandemic and a big awareness push in 2021.
Standing for more than two centuries and holding countless awards, it was never going to go quietly.
It also happens to be quite comfortably on our list of the cosiest pubs in Manchester and has been since day dot.
Anyone who’s been in will know the sense of a warm welcome the place always puts out, and we’re overjoyed to hear that years of petitions and campaigning to save it have paid off.
These stories don’t always end with the right outcome (not often enough, anyway), so we’ll definitely be raising a glass to the Britons Protected this weekend.
Unfortunately, we do still have some other sad news from the hospitality sector, as our oldest Manc publican has passed away at a fellow favourite pub.
Emily Sergeant -
13th November 2020 
