Altrincham’s vegan bahn mi sandwich bar is coming to KAMPUS for a pop-up, it has been revealed.
The team will be taking over the KAMPUS bungalow from the most recent residents, Tine, from Friday 8 October.
Serving up hot Vietnamese sandwiches filled with pickles, plant-based pate and Asian-style vegetables and proteins, they’ve been doing a roaring trade down in Alty for the past two years – and now they’re going to be popping up in the centre of Manchester at a new waterside venue.
The nasi goreng at Bahn Vi, which is moving into the KAMPUS bungalow from Friday 8 October / Image: Bahn Vi
It’s not all bahn mi on the menu, though, they also cook up some other Asian favourites like nasi gorgeng and Tom Yum noodle soup alongside tasty little plates of crispy fried oyster mushroom wings with pickled fennel and gochujang mayo.
As for drinks, there’s a choice of hot or cold Vietnamese coffee, plus a range of fragrant teas and Asian beers.
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They’ll also be running Pho and summer roll cooking masterclasses out of the space, giving diners a chance to try their hand at mastering some classic dishes themselves.
Co-founded by Harry Yarwood and Jess King, Banh Vi was born from a love of travel and Asian cuisine after the couple packed in work for a one-way-ticket to experience the best culinary experiences Asia had to offer a few years ago.
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The Bahn Vi team at their stall at Altrincham Market (From L to R: Loui, Thao, Cam, Meesh, Harry) / Image: Bahn Vi
Speaking on the upcoming move, Bánh Vì co-founder Harry Yarwood, said: “Hot, sweet, salty, sour, bitter – we’ve always strived for the perfect flavour balance in our creations.
“Since we started, we’ve won over so many regulars who now come back week after week for our take on Vietnamese and Malaysian food.
“Our ethos has always been about using the best ingredients, supporting local suppliers and just delivering amazing, creative menus that people fall in love with, whether they’re used to eating plant-based food or not.
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Soup and a sandwich, but not as you know it / Image: Bahn Vi
“The vibe of the community at Kampus is absolutely perfect for us and we can’t wait to be filling the Bungalow with people who may be experiencing our signature Banh Mi sandwiches for the first time.”
Considering that Altrincham was just awarded the best foodie suburb in Manchester at the 2021 MFDF awards, the arrival is perfect timing – giving city centre residents a chance to sample one of the area’s more popular food traders without having to leave town.
Bánh Vì will open Thursday to Saturday from 12 pm – 11 pm, with food served until 9pm, and Sundays from 2 pm – 7 pm. Kicking off on Friday 8 October 2021, the residency will run through to the end of November.
Diners are advised to book ahead by contacting 07549133392 as there is limited space for walk-ins.
However, following a consortium bid led by a former player, it now looks as though the local community will be starting a new sporting era in 2026. You can read the RFL’s statement in full down below.
As you can see, the English governing body has agreed to grant the new Salford-based rugby league team Championship status in time for the start of next season.
The Red Devils were officially relegated back in October, following months of uncertainty surrounding their unpaid debts and having to rely on loan players to field squads.
It’s unclear whether the new Salford side will carry on under the well-established brand and logo, or whether they fresh start will include a new Greater Manchester moniker.
There is, of course, an obvious choice as retired winger Mason Caton-Brown has been confirmed as one of at least three key investors following his ‘Phoenix Bid’ to resurrect the club earlier this month.
Speaking in an official press release, Caton-Brown stated, “This is for the fans. They are the heartbeat of this club. Today’s announcement is the result of countless hours of hard work, honesty, and unity. We’re incredibly proud to bring rugby league back home to Salford. But now the hard work really begins.”
Following the official announcement on Monday (22 Dec), fan group The 1873 have now expressed their gratitude and support regarding the new investment, adding: “The strength of this club has always been its people and that must remain true in this new chapter.”
We would like to congratulate The Phoenix Bid on being awarded RFL membership and becoming custodians of Salford Rugby League 👏
Fans must fully back the new board as we move into 2026. We have a responsibility to ensure that this is as successful as it can be. pic.twitter.com/BZEwzS0zC6
Caton-Brown had already insisted that the new leadership group had reached multiple pre-contract agreements with players and a new head coach.
Meanwhile, ex-Salford Red Devils stars Paul Rowley and Adam Sidlow have now joined the coaching staff at St Helens.
While it’s obviously a big result to be gearing up just a few weeks after seemingly folding as a competitive side, the owners are now racing to get a full squad ready to face Oldham in their season opener on 16 January.
The 32-year-old went on to add: “The next month will be crucial. We’re asking supporters to stand together with us, to get behind the rebuild, to volunteer, to spread the word, and to help us make sure Salford rises again stronger than ever.” Happy, Salfordians?
Elsewhere, the national rugby community are similarly uniting to give a Super League legend some long overdue recognition…
Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)/Publicity picture (supplied)
News
Two men jailed after series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester totalling £1m
Emily Sergeant
Two men have been handed prison sentences following a series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester.
An investigation into the actions of Eidmantas Sadauskas and Vytautas Ceponis, both of no fixed abode, by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) began back in January of this year.
Described as being ‘sophisticated’ operation, the pair used equipment and tools to disable the vehicle security alarms and gain access to them, before they would then clone the vehicles, using different registration plates to allow them to slip under the radar.
In total, 25 Porsches – estimated, in total, as being approximately £1 million – were linked to the theft series and identified as having been taken by Sadauskas and Ceponis.
The thefts occurred across Greater Manchester – including in Salford, Bury, Trafford, Manchester, and Stockport – and it’s believed they were being stolen to be sold on for illegal gain.
The thefts occurred between January and October 2025, according to police, before the investigation began.
A comprehensive investigation Stockport’s Neighbourhood Crime Team (NCT) found that Sadauskas and Ceponis were mapped out as being in the areas of the crimes as they occurred, and the vehicles involved in the thefts were additionally identified as being linked to them.
The pair subsequently pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal motor vehicles at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in late November, before their sentencing last Friday.
Ceponis was jailed for four years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles, while Sadauskas was jailed for four-and-a-half years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
Several of the Porsches have since been recovered, and police say work remains ongoing to locate the outstanding vehicles and reunite them with their owners.
“No one should have their property taken from them,” commented PC Chris Hopkins, from GMP’s Stockport NCT. “As officers in the Neighourhood Crime Team, we work proactively to tackle these sorts of offences and punish those responsible.
Georgina Pellant -
29th September 2021 
