Manchester’s got a lot to be proud of, and Vimto is one of those things.
Vimto is a much-loved Manchester-born soft drink that contains the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants – each in a 3% concentration – which is then flavoured with a selection of delicately-balanced herbs and spices.
If you’re unfamiliar with the backstory, Vimto was created in 1908 at 19 Granby Row in Manchester city centre – now part of The University of Manchester’s grounds – by John Noel Nichols, who was a wholesaler of herbs, spices and medicines that saw the market opening for soft drinks, due to the temperance movement and the passage of the 1908 Licensing Act.
It was originally sold under the name Vim Tonic, which Nichols shortened to Vimto in 1912.
It’s hard to believe it now, but Vimto was originally registered as a health tonic or medicine when it was first created, but was then re-registered as a cordial in 1913.
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As well as its continued popularity throughout the 20th and 21st century, Vimto has even taken on a life of its own as a flavour too in more recent years, and has spawned a number of other popular fruity variations, so it’s really come a long way from its origins.
But the history of Vimto is something that will always be rooted in Manchester.
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Nichols PLC
And so, to celebrate this impressive history, two furloughed friends have launched a “historical Manchester” Vimto-themed virtual escape room that takes you back to 1908 and challenges you to solve the theft of the city’s most iconic and top-secret recipe.
Mystery Escapades provide online escape room adventures “packed with puzzles” for groups of any size, so whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or simply looking for a bit of lockdown fun, this is a unique way for friends, families and colleagues to virtually “work together and flex that grey matter”.
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All escape rooms can be played by teams across households using video conferencing software, such as Zoom and Skype, but there’s one in particular that Mancunians might be most interested in.
The description for 19 Granby Row reads: “It’s 1908 and you’re in Manchester to investigate the theft of a secret recipe. John Nichols has spent his life perfecting the recipe to his new health tonic, and it has been stolen on the eve of its launch. Your job is to track down the thief by following his path around historical Manchester. Each puzzle you solve will give you a clue to unlock the next room, complete them all and get the recipe back to its rightful owner. You can get clues to help you along the way if you get stuck but everything you need is within the game”.
19 Granby Row is suitable for as many participants as you wish, but anywhere from two to six is advised for optimum game play.
There’s no time limit for this particular challenge either, making it perfect to play along with friends.
Speaking on the launch of 19 Granby Row, Mike Lee – co-founder of Mystery Escapades – told The Manc: “We started Mystery Escapades as a bit of fun, but actually we think they’re quite good and we’ve had great feedback from players [so] we’ve set one in historical Manchester, taking in the sights of streets and buildings that remain in the city today.
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“We’ve created this because we love the city,
“It’s where I was born and grew up and like any Manc, I’m staunchly protective of its place in the world”.
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19 Granby Row will set you back just £15 for a pass valid for one month.
You can book your tickets, find more information about the escape rooms and access the all-important FAQs via the Mystery Escapades website here.
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Featured Image – Greggs (Supplied)
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A Greater Manchester neighbourhood has been named one of the ‘coolest’ in the UK
Clementine Hall
A neighbourhood in Great Manchester has been crowned one of the coolest in the country – and this time, it’s not Ancoats.
Every year, we wait with bated breath to see which UK neighbourhoods have made the cut in Time Out’s annual ranking of the coolest places in the world.
But, as it turns out, Britain is just so damn cool that we’ve earned a list of our own.
In its latest guide, ’11 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK’, Time Out has rounded up the places across the country that are really making a name for themselves.
Images: The Manc
And one neighbourhood here in Greater Manchester has made the cut, and although you’d immediately think of Ancoats that has made its way to similar lists before, this time there’s a newbie on the block.
Coming in at a very respectable fourth place, Stockport and the Underbanks received a glowing report in the coveted list.
Images: The Manc
Are we surprised? Not one bit.
We love Stockport for its flourishing food scene, cool community vibe and ever-growing roster of independent businesses – not to mention its brilliant mix of old-school charm and new-school cool.
It’s a place that feels like it’s constantly evolving, without losing the character that made people fall in love with it in the first place. And clearly, Time Out agrees.
Images: The Manc
Kyle MacNeill, contributing writer, said: “If you live anywhere near Manchester, you may have heard this one on the rumour mill: ‘Stockport is The New Berlin’. It’s a gag, alright: the humble market town hasn’t got a club, let alone the most hedonistic nightlife scene in the world. But it is true that SK is rapidly becoming the place-to-move-to for the Second City’s creatives, thanks to cheaper rent and some serious suburban tenacity.
“The Underbanks, a cobbled high street once home to hat-makers and hosiers, has been transformed into a bustling hub of forward-thinking vendors, while various local institutions have embraced Euro-style cafe culture, midcentury decor, sustainable fine-dining, small plates snacking and chic drinking dens. All of which, actually, come to think of it, is very Berlin… “
High praise indeed, you can read the full list of the UK’s coolest neighbourhoods here.
Emily Sergeant -
11th March 2021 
