Northern pub group launches crisp butty menu with 7-course crisp tasting option
The menu is split into sections, with choices like "crinkle cut classics", "not crisp butties", "combo butties" and a "special sharing platter", consisting of seven different courses of crisps - dubbed their "7-course tasting menu".
A Northern pub group has launched an epic crisp butty menu that includes a 7-course crisp “tasting menu” option.
Beerhouses Pubs group, whose pubs include the Stalybridge Buffet Bar inside Stalybridge rail station, put together and costed the menu after their followers voted in their masses for it on Twitter.
The idea was first floated at the end of June – now it’s coming to fruition for one week only, starting today, July 12.
Well we made a menu and you wanted it*. So now it's been costed, chefs trained and stock ordered. The Crisp & Not Crisp Butty menu will be live in @Stalybuffetbar and @WestRidingLRR from Monday for one week only.
The menu is split into sections, with choices like “crinkle cut classics”, “not crisp butties”, “combo butties” and a “special sharing platter”, consisting of seven different courses of crisps – dubbed their “7-course tasting menu”.
Rest easy, it’s all going to be on thick white bread with “lashings of Lurpak” – let’s be honest, none of this artisanal bread works as well when it comes to creating the holy grail of crisp sandwiches.
For the “crinkle cut classics” section, Seabrooks crisps appear to be an imperative choice with the menu clearly stating: “Seabrooks crisps obviously”. A choice of flavours, meanwhile, includes plain, salt and vinegar, cheese and onion or Canadian ham.
The “not crisp butties” go down the maize snack route and have the potential to cause a few disagreements this week. That said, there are some iconic childhood favourites featured here – with filling choices including pickled onion Monster Munch, Bacon Fries, Scampi Fries, Wotsits or salt and vinegar Squares.
That said, though, if you really want to push the boat out then you obviously have to spring for the 7-course crisp tasting menu.
Comprised of hot pork scratchings, poppadoms with dip, Monster Munch, Bacon Fries, Scampi Fries and two bags of Seabrook, it’s priced at just £7 – talk about the ultimate crisp feast.
And if it goes well I'm already experimenting on a second version with Nik Naks, Wheat Crunchies, McCoys, Roysters, Quavers, Onion Rings, Space Raiders, Snyders Jalapeno pretzels and Frisps.
Last but not least, we have to talk about the “Combo butties” – all of which have their own special combinations inside.
A “mighty meaty” option features Canadian ham Seabrook and Bacon Fries, whilst a “Surf and Turf” combines Scampi and Bacon Fries in one.
“Cheese and Bacon” combines Bacon Fries with Wotsits, whilst “Double cheese and onion”, looks like it’ll pack a punch, filled with Monster Munch, Wotsits and cheese and onion Seabrook crisps.
Speaking on Twitter, a spokesperson for the brewery added “[if the menu goes down well] I’m already experimenting on a second version with Nik Naks, Wheat Crunchies, McCoys, Roysters, Quavers, Onion Rings, Space Raiders, Snyders Jalapeno pretzels and Frisps.”
It’s good to see the humble crisp butty finally getting the shine it so deserves. Now we just really hope that Beerhouses Pubs introduce a beer pairing menu to go alongside it next.
The Crisp & Not Crisp Butty menu will be live at both Stalybridge Buffet Bar & Beerhouse and Dewsbury’s West Riding Beerhouse from Monday, 12 June for one week only. Crisp butty prices start from £2.25.
Greater Manchester Mayors deliver update on Salford Red Devils situation
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham revealed details from the minutes of his meeting with the Rugby Football League (RFL) over the August bank holiday, sharing key updates from the crucial sit-down in hopes of securing the future of Salford Red Devils.
The Mayor and his Salford counterpart, Paul Dennett, met with chief executive Tony Sutton and other key RFL figures to discuss the ongoing crisis at Salford Red Devils, who remain on the brink of collapse.
Supporters marched on the streets of 0161’s second city in the immediate aftermath, expressing their dismay at the continuing struggles both behind the scenes and off the pitch, and Burnham was quick to call a meeting with the RFL as a result. The fans have remained in full voice throughout.
Posting a joint statement on social media, the pair wrote: “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the RFL and clubs across the Super League for their ongoing commitment to assist Salford Red Devils in fulfilling all other fixtures and get the club to the end of the season.
“Following that meeting, we have requested a meeting this Friday with the Jacobsen Management Group, the current owners, to discuss our serious concerns over the future of the club.
“The impending HMRC court hearing, the failure to meet tax obligations, the delay in payment of wages, and the lack of financial investment have resulted in a complete loss of confidence in the ownership among fans and the wider Salford and rugby community.”
Stating that “Salford Red Devils [still] face an uncertain future”, leading fan group The 1873 confessed that while it has been seen as a “welcome step”, it nevertheless “felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.”
In short, they said: “We will no longer sit back while the club we love is reduced to a shell by those who do not speak to us, do not listen, and do not understand what Salford means.” They also called out the somewhat one foot in, one foot out ownership group and so-called current ‘stewards’ of the club directly.
You can read their response in full down below.
Yesterday’s statement from Andy Burnham & Paul Dennett is a welcome step, but not the one Salford fans wanted.
It felt short of reassurance and commitment we’d hoped for.
The future of the club and community deserves more.
Furthermore, Burnham and Dennett went on to add: “Following discussions between the parties involved, there is clear agreement that Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Salford City Council and the Rugby Football League are resolute in their commitment to safeguard the club.
“We are committed to working together to secure the long-term future of the club, to implement a city-wide rugby strategy, and to honour the generations of players, supporters, and communities who have carried its spirit through more than 150 years of rugby league.”
What about you, Salford Red Devils fans – what did you make of both statements, and how hopeful are you that the storm will clear around the club?
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network progress after £6m funding boost
Emily Sergeant
Plans for new tram and train connections across Greater Manchester have taken a big step forward after a £6m funding boost.
Last month, Mayor Andy Burnham and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in Greater Manchester to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030 – and now, plans to deliver this strategy are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to significant investment.
Transport leaders have now confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future.
£6 million of funding was signed-off by the Bee Network Committee earlier last week, following plans being discussed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
The work is all part of a wider plan, known as the Greater Manchester Strategy, to link every borough in Greater Manchester up the Metrolink network – with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network.
Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network have progressed after a £6m funding boost / Credit: TfGM
Some of the major projects this £6m funding will pay for advancing planning towards include finalising strategies for extending the Metrolink to Stockport from East Didsbury this autumn, with construction to begin in 2030, and beginning strategy work on the completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’ – which would serve a number of ‘key growth areas’ at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Davenport Green.
Another important project the funding will go towards is the preparation of the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and out to the north west of the region – including potential options for links to Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.
Work will also continue on plans for an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route too – with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says its leaders are aiming for construction on the scheme to begin in 2028.
Mayor Andy Burnham says the funding with help connect all 10 boroughs to the Metrolink / Credit: TfGM
“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.”
Georgina Pellant -
12th July 2021 
