If you love yourself a good chippy tea (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t), you won’t want to miss out on this – because next week there’ll be a van handing out a load of free chippy teas in the centre of Manchester.
On Tuesday 21 September, Green Flag is teaming up with The Frying Squad to give away free portions of fish and chips to 300 lucky people from a food truck on Piccadilly Gardens.
The breakdown cover provider first began life above a fish and chip shop fifty years ago. Now, in homage to their humble salt and vinegar-filled office beginnings, the company is celebrating half a century in the game with the ultimate fish and chip collaboration.
Having begun life above a fish and chip shop in 1973, the company is taking things back to its roots to celebrate its 50th anniversary / Image: The Frying Squad
Taking it back to their roots, in honour of the company’s 50th anniversary Green Flag will be offering people a voucher for a free fish and chip lunch from the Frying Squad, who’ll be parked up nearby from 11 am – 3 pm.
You won’t want to hang about, though, as it’s first come first served and they’re only giving away 300 portions.
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The giveaway comes after new research has revealed that fish and chips are the most popular British dish of all time. Of those surveyed, 69 percent voted for the chippy tea, winning out over the full English (60%) and a Sunday roast (57%) significantly.
Green Flag has teamed up with The Frying Squad to hand out free portions of fish and chips in Piccadilly Gardens next week / Image: The Frying Squad
Perhaps unsurprisingly, here in Manchester over two-thirds of people (67%) voted for fish and chips as the most British dish of all time.
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The study also found that well over a third (36%) of people living in Manchester thought that eating with fingers is the best way to enjoy a fish and chips meal, compared with the 19% who preferred using a knife and fork.
The fish and chip van will be parked on Piccadilly Gardens from 11 am – 3 pm on Tuesday 21 September / Image: The Frying Squad
Mark Newberry, Commercial Director at Green Flag, commented:“It’s very exciting to be celebrating our 50th birthday.
“Since founding the business above a fish ‘n’ chip shop back in 1971, we’ve always had big ambitions here at Green Flag, using our network of local independent recovery experts to deliver excellent service and great value breakdown cover some five decades on.
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“We want everyone to come together and celebrate this milestone and enjoy a fish and chip lunch from The Frying Squad, on us!”
The New Didsbury Dozen: the definitive list of boozers on this legendary pub crawl
Danny Jones
Whether you’re a born and bred Manc or simply visiting, ‘The Didsbury Dozen’ is an absolute institution of the Manchester drinking scene.
However, the sad reality of going out post-pandemic is that not every watering hole survived, and unfortunately, some of the original Didsbury Dozen didn’t make it through lockdown. Rest in peace, The Stoker’s Arms (now Dockyard), The Sanctuary (now Head of Steam), The Slug and more.
That being said, while we will certainly miss them, they say every ending is a new beginning; as one door shuts, another one opens — and when we say door, we of course mean the door to a pub.
So, without further ado, we decided to formalise The NEW Didsbury Dozen. At least one drink in each, those are the rules. You can argue all you like, this is the definitive list from here on out, so you’ll just have to deal with it.
1. The Didsbury
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The DidsburyDidsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Didsbury
Where else to start but the beginning? Lucky for us, the consensus has always been that a pub crawl called The Didsbury Dozen should obviously start at The Didsbury. Kicking off the crawl on the curved corner of Wilmslow Road, this traditional pub offers little surprise but signals the start of a great night.
2. Ye Olde Cock Inn
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – Ye Olde Cocke InnDidsbury Dozen pub crawl – Ye Olde Cocke Inn
The best part about the opening two pubs on this list is that not only have they remained literal cornerstones of this crawl, but they are genuinely spitting distance from each other – i.e. just five yards, there’s another old English pub that offers the same as next door, plus a ping pong table. Easy.
3. The Famous Crown
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Famous CrownDidsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Famous Crown
Ok, so now you’ve had a couple of pints, you’re ready for the short walk down the road as you begin the first mobile part of The Dozen toward The Famous Crown. What’s it famous for? Coming back from the dead with solid beer, a cosy interior and some mint food to line your stomach for the bulk of the boozing.
4. The Royal Oak
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Royal Oak
Had some pub grub or at least a butty from the Co-op up the road? Good. Sod that ‘eating is cheating’ nonsense, this is a long old night and we don’t need any heroes — you’ll all be heroes at the end. Next up, another non-nonsense boozer: The Royal Oak. Small and cosy; beer, wine and the rest of it. Simple.
Now we move on to one of our favourites and arguably one of the best bars in Didsbury, let alone on The Dozen, Fletcher Moss. Just 75 yards off the Village high street and offering up live sports, craft beers, plus the beloved beer garden, this hidden gem is just as pretty in the winter as it is in the summer. Iconic.
6. The Nelson
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Nelson
Back toward the high street now; just on the corner of Barlow Moor Road, you’ll find The Nelson. Yes, named after the Admiral and yes, another no-frills boozer owned by Craft Union Pubs. Often serving up Moorhouse beer as its guest and playing host to the local darts league, it’s everything you’d expect.
7. The Dog and Partridge
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Dog and PartridgeDidsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Dog and Partridge
Ok, halfway there and we’re definitely into the busy section now: pubs every couple of yards and, before you ask, yes, we’re skipping The Botanist (formerly Pitcher & Piano), there are loads of ’em. We’re moving on to The Dog and Partridge for some classic ale, Pieminister pies, cheese plates and more.
Now, this one has changed hands more than the Dozen has changed barrels, but the latest iteration of number eight is Manchester’s second Salmon of Knowledge site, which replaced The Dockyard back in March; it’s been a hit in the Northern Quarter, and it’s proved no different in Didsbury. Try it for yourself.
9. The Station
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The StationDidsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Station
Hopefully, you’ve soaked up the alcohol with some well-earned carbs as we’re now at a crucial juncture where many bow out. Make sure you’ve got all your belongings as we pull into The Station. This popular Irish pub has sports, live music three nights a week and a serious love of Guinness. Say no more.
Still standing? Good, because we’re entering the final third of this drunken journey and you’ve gotta walk again. The fresh air might do you good. When you do stop, you’ll arrive at The Woodstock: a beautiful establishment with lots of room and lots of booze. If anything, it’s too nice for your raucous rabble.
The penultimate stop on our alcohol-fuelled trip through Didsbury is The Metropolitan, or as it’s commonly known, ‘The Met’. Once a grand Victorian railway hotel, it’s now a massive bar and restaurant plating up banging Sunday Roasts and hangover-curing breakfasts. But you’re on a mission, concentrate.
12. The Railway
You’ve made it. One more drink and you’ve smashed The Didsbury Dozen. Starting in the Village and ending the night in East Dids, head over the road to The Railway, a simple, British, cask ale tavern, much loved by locals. We don’t need to sell it, you’ll love it too — that’s if you can remember it, of course.
Didsbury Dozen pub crawl – The Railway
Better still, you’re only stumbling distance from the Burton Road tram stop. You’re welcome. Now get yourself home, you absolute mess.
And just like that, you’re done. The only question is, did you make it to the end of the new and improved Didsbury Dozen in one piece? We sincerely hope you did and that there was no man left behind.
It goes without saying that you should always drink responsibly and luckily, the idea of The Dozen is you can pace yourself by spreading it out over the day and grab plenty of food on the way — we don’t need any heroes, only good vibes.
We’ll leave you to squabble among yourselves as to what locations we may or may not be missed off and how exactly you’re going to phrase your strongly-worded letters. If we don’t catch you in the comments, we’ll see you in the pub!
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Georgina Pellant -
15th September 2021 
