Salford Rum open the city’s first rum garden under the railway arches
As well as hosting the brilliant-sounding rum garden, the new space will also be home to the company's first proper distillery and bar - giving fans of their Salford Docks-inspired spiced rums the chance to drink straight from the source.
Today, Salford Rum is a well-known brand in the city – but like many popular craft enterprises, it started from humble beginnings.
Founded by two lads from Leigh, today Salford Rum Company is stocked nationwide in supermarkets like Morrisons and Co-Op but it first began life as an idea conceived during a drunken night out.
Rugby-league-playing high school friends Tommy Gaughan and James Harrison were sat watching their wives sip from a list of gins as long as their arm when they had their very own ‘eureka’ moment.
Founders Tommy Gaughan and James Harrison run the business alongside their 9-5 day jobs / Image: Salford Rum Company
Based upon the logic that if there’s a market for craft gin, surely there might also be one for craft rum, the pair spent the following eight months researching everything they could about distilling their own concoctions whilst continuing to work their day jobs.
Drawing inspiration from the history of the local area and ingredients imported to the old Salford Docks, they went on to create two core expressions since launching in 2018: a golden Salford Spiced Rum and Salford Dark Spice.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now, they’ve revealed plans to open Greater Manchester’s very first rum garden as part of a new expansion into the railway archways on Viaduct Street.
The new distillery will be housed on Viaduct street in a former Martial Arts centre, with the rum garden on accompanying land under the railway line / Image: Google Maps
As well as hosting the brilliant-sounding rum garden, the new space will also be home to the company’s first proper distillery and bar – giving fans of their Salford Docks-inspired spiced rums the chance to drink straight from the source.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here, the pair plan to create some new small-batch expressions and unique blends using a shiny, new craft copper still which will be on display for all to see.
It’s exciting times for the duo, who continue to work their 9-5 jobs whilst running Salford Rum Company alongside using all the free hours they can find.
Speaking on the new opening plans Tommy Gaughan, one half of the duo responsible for launching Salford Rum, said: “The support we’ve had locally for Salford Rum is nothing short of incredible.
ADVERTISEMENT
“When looking for somewhere to take the brand to the next level, it was always going to be in Salford, and always going to be a place whereby our supporters can come and feel like they’re part of the Salford family.”
“We’ve got so many ideas and can’t wait to see the distillery space, bar and rum garden come to life over the next couple of months,” added James Harrison.
Salford Rum’s first expression Salford Spiced Rum is infused with vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and dried Caribbean fruits / Image: Salford Rum
With the opening date set for early 2022, we expect to see some enticing new additions added to their repertoire – which currently spans core expressions, as well as some special editions like their new Honey Rum, made with honey from local beekeepers.
Aptly named The Dirty Old Town Distillery after the song ‘Dirty Old Town’ which featured on The Pogues 1985 album Rum Sodomy & the Lash, the distillery will be located in Arch 33 on Viaduct Street, Salford.
Opening date finally confirmed for new Uniqlo store at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Uniqlo is preparing to open its second store in Greater Manchester, and the official launch date has finally been confirmed.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but it was revealed earlier this year in April that Manchester was set to get a second helping.
Uniqlo announced that it would be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre this autumn, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store is set to make Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
When news broke that the hoardings had officially gone up inside the shopping centre, elated shoppers raced to the comments to say things like: “No way! I’ve been waiting years for this.”
Uniqlo is preparing to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: | The Manc Group
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like ‘finally’ and ‘can’t wait’.
And now, we officially have an opening date to share with you.
Uniqlo will open in the Trafford Centre for the first time on Thursday 15 October, with plenty of events happening across its extended opening weekend.
Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performances will be happening throughout the day on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 October, while the first 300 customers to spend over £69.90 in store on the Thursday (15 October) will get a special Uniqlo Manchester goody bag.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
News
‘Do not let Britain’s independent businesses disappear on your watch’ – Manchester bakery makes heartbreaking plea to Andy Burnham
Clementine Hall
A beloved Manchester bakery has issued an open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget begging him for help.
Barbakan Deli in Chorlton is basically an institution at this point.
The legendary bakery and delicatessen has been serving the community for 62 years, famed for its freshly-baked loaves of bread, its handmade sandwiches, and its pastries and cakes inspired by bakes from across Europe.
Posting on Instagram last night on Thursday 18 September, Frankie Dyer the director of Barbakan, issued an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Images: The Manc Group
It read: “Dear Mr Burnham, As an independent business owner in the hospitality sector, I am begging you to please read this.
“Really read it. And seriously consider what businesses like mine are telling you before the upcoming Budget.”
It continued: “In just the last two years, we have self-funded new bakery machinery, new catering kitchens, essential repairs and renovations and opened a second retail site, creating another six local jobs. We have won more than ten national awards for the quality of what we do.
“We have invested. We have grown. We have employed more people. We have worked harder than ever. In short, Prime Minister, we are doing everything you keep asking British businesses to do.
“And our bank balance is finished. That is the reality.”
The letter finished by Dyer inviting Andy Burnham to come visit the bakery and pleading for a ‘fighting chance’ to save the business: “We need action. We need meaningful reductions in the tax burden placed on employers.
“We need Employer National Insurance looked at urgently. We need a business-rates system which allows independent high-street businesses to survive. We need VAT reform for hospitality. We need Corporation Tax to reward businesses which reinvest, employ and grow.
“And we need proper grants and incentives that help established independent businesses invest and expand — not schemes with endless criteria which most ordinary businesses can never access. We need you to do something.
“And we need more than one token gesture in the Budget. A band-aid for a bullet wound. So I am asking you, Prime Minister, to come back to Manchester and see it for yourself. Pop an apron on and stand behind our counter.
Images: The Manc Group
“Come into our bakery in the middle of the night and meet the people making Manchester’s bread while most of the city is asleep. Look at our payroll, our energy bills, our rates, our supplier increases.
“Look at what leaves our bank account every single week simply for the privilege of keeping 50 people employed and our doors open. You said you wanted a government that understood the regions. You now have an opportunity to prove it.
“Independent businesses across this country are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a fighting chance. I sincerely hope your next Budget gives us one”.
Georgina Pellant -
13th September 2021 
