A new restaurant in Hull has come under fire after it was accused of stealing Manchester pasta kitchen Sugo’s menu and using some of the restaurant’s social media images to promote itself online.
The Ancoats restaurant uploaded a post calling out newcomer Mancia in Hull after its owners allegedly copied the restaurant’s entire pasta menu – with Mancia even listing Sugo’s signature dish ‘Sugo Scoglio’ under the same name.
Mancia owner Angelo Romano has since apologised for what he acknowledged was a “mistake”, and said that he’d been “impressed” by a visit to Sugo, but didn’t mean to “open a pasta war”.
The East Yorkshire restaurant shared images taken from Sugo’s Instagram and Facebook pages to its own social media in now-deleted posts, which attempted to pass the dishes off as Mancia’s own.
Angelo said there “simply weren’t enough hours in the day” for him to take his own pictures and admitted he used Sugo’s, “not realising it would create such an uproar and a social media war”.
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Side-by-side shots of the dishes by Sugo and Mancia / Credit: Sugo Pasta Kitchen | Mancia
Mancia also shared an image of its handwritten menu, which had a number of similarities to Sugo’s own – including a dish called ‘Sugo Scoglio’ – though the Hull restaurant owner said “no one can claim ownership” of what he called classic Italian recipes.
Sugo’s version is made with calamarata, king prawns, baby squid and mussels, datterini toms, chilli, ginger; whilst Mancia’s dish was listed with similar pasta paccheri, shell-on prawns, mussels, squid and datterini tomatoes.
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Further copycat dishes listed by Mancia included a strozzapretti dish with broccolini, anchovy butter, house chicken stock, chilli, parmesan and pangrattato, and an orecchiette ‘pomodoro’ with san marzano and pecorino.
As well as using some of the restaurant’s images and dishes, the East Yorkshire business has purchased the same crockery used by Sugo, with further similarities including jugs, tiles, plates, dishes and starters.
Image: Sugo
Image: Mancia
Sugo co-owner Michael De Martiis said that whilst they always take a degree of imitation as flattery, he felt that this was “fraud, basically.”
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“Listen, like being inspired and seeing people cook our dishes, that’s great […] we’re flattered when people try and do what we do, there’s no problem with that, but this guy’s tried to set up a commercial enterprise by copying and pasting the entire menu…. or one of the menus.”
He added that Sugo had tried to reach out to the restaurant by commenting on the pictures after it was brought to their attention by Sugo’s followers.
The owners of Sugo have also sent across a formal email to Mancia, said Michael, as the business doesn’t have a listed phone number.
Sugo’s Instagram post read: “Some new little gaff in Hull called Mancia thought they could get away with stealing our pasta menu, social media pics and launching their entire business on the back of it.
“Borderline hilarious. They forgot (like liars do) that you actually have to be able to do what you said you would.
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“KARMA. We appreciate the #SUGOARMY for bringing these lil’ schivos to our attention.
“Angelo >> probably best that you don’t repost post this image too. People of HULL, you want the real deal hop on the M60.”
Sugo released a statement on social media / Credit: Sugo Pasta Kitchen
It appears that Mancia has now taken down its social media pages, following Sugo’s tell-all post, which has been liked over 1,000 times since it was shared on 11 November.
The full statement from Angelo Romano said: “I’m Angelo Romano as the proprietor/chef of the newly opened eatery/cafe, “Mancia”, Hull would like to make this statement in response to the recent criticism from “Sugo” (Manchester).
“I have been in the catering trade since leaving school 15 years ago and have extensive experience cooking Italian food Earlier this year I decided I wanted to open a small and intimate dining experience in Hull. I spent months looking for inspiration, visiting many Italian restaurants in the north of England. My elder sister who lives near Manchester introduced me to Sugo. (Italian for sauce and a classic Italian pasta dish, recreated by restaurants all around the globe) I was impressed by the their pasta menu and the atmosphere created.
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“When I eventually found the right property in Hull for my new venture I decided to add a few of the classic Italian pasta dishes I had enjoyed at Sugo, adding my own personal twist by changing some of the ingredients. I also liked the crockery at Sugos, sourced it online and promptly ordered it, not realising this would cause offence. I certainly have not launched my whole business off their back. My menu includes pizzas and is more varied. Wednesday 10th November I opened my small 20 seater restaraunt/cafe.
“I needed to establish my social media presence, namely my Facebook page which had been receiving a lot of interest prior to opening. I wanted to add some fotos of some of our dishes which yes we’re very similar to those of Sugos. There were simply not enough hours in the day for me to do this myself so I did use a few of Sugos fotos not realising that it would create such an uproar and a social media war. However I don’t want to battle and acknowledge this was a mistake for which I most humbly apologise.
“The photos I used were deleted within 1 hour of the complaint been made and have been replaced with my own. Regarding using some recipes from the Sugo menu. These are classic Italian recipes that no one can claim ownership of. It’s like saying I have lasagna on my menu so no one else can use it. I have as mentioned previously in this statement added my own twist by changing some of the ingredients. It certainly was not my intention to open a “pasta war”.
“These dishes should be enjoyed by anyone wanting to sample classic Italian dishes. As a final statement I would like to add I am just a family guy trying to provide for my family in challenging times. Apologies for anything the “Sugo Army” have taken offence to, and thank you for the publicity this is no doubt bringing us both and please if you want to write reviews on our page come and taste our dishes first.
“Ben venuto a nostra cucina” (welcome to our kitchen) we look forward to feeding our customers old and new.”
Featured Image – Sugo Pasta Kitchen | Mancia
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A local baby bank is holding a vital fundraiser to stop it from closing for good
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester baby bank is holding a vital fundraiser in hopes of preventing it from closing for goodimminently.
For anyone unaware, baby banks are crucial organisations run largely by volunteers who help provide supplies to families in local communities, with more than 300 in use across the UK at present.
Through delivering much-needed aid such as clothing, prams, nappies and baby food, right through to direct financial support, they help keep parents and their children in good supply of essentials and much more – hugely important work at any rate, let alone during the winter and a cost of living crisis.
However, the Little Green Sock Project over in Trafford is at risk of permanent closure and was initially given until the new year to raise £200,000.
As seen in this moving video, the baby bank based over in Stretford Mall is in dire need of support and, crucially, the funds for a new premises.
They’ve been deeply moved by how Greater Manchester united in reaching into their pockets and sparing whatever they can to contribute to their fundraising target thus far – and they really are nearly at the finish line, which would mean safety for the genuinely life-saving service.
Fundamentally operated as a non-profit and volunteer-led charity, they naturally don’t have the means to just take over a new space on their own and with the current site set to be demolished very soon, a minimum of £200k is needed to find and fund a new location.
Having amassed over 90% of the amount needed, they’ve already bought themselves extra time, they just need one last push from us.
Urging people to donate what they can and share their fundraiser where possible, as well as welcoming corporate sponsorships should other local businesses wish to back them or get stuck through volunteering days, time is of the essence.
The Little Green Sock Project was only started back in 2022 and has already supported over 1,300 children, redistributing more than £240,000 worth of essential items like clothing, cots, prams, and stair gates to local families, as well as saving 20 tonnes of items from landfills.
It’s no exaggeration to say that they’ve changed and saved lives, both parents and children, and with the often difficult festive period approaching, their work is needed now more than ever.
There are just under a dozen baby banks in all of Greater Manchester, many of which are facing similar pressures. (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking on their efforts and the fundraiser, founder Catherine D’Albertanson said: “We believe that essentials needed for the health and wellbeing of children should not only be for those that can afford them. Our work ensures that no child in our community goes without essentials, but without new premises, we will have no choice but to close.”
Moreover, Little Green Sock Project is the only baby bank in the Trafford area and of the families it serves, 58% are single-parent households already struggling with the cost of raising children, while 29% are fleeing domestic abuse, often leaving their belongings behind to protect their family.
With their circular economy model, they also help reduce waste whilst providing “a trusted link between the families that have items to give, to those that need them the most”, with D’Albertanson adding, “If we lose this charity, we lose a vital safety net for many in our community.”
A service user commented: “It was a truly terrifying time when I was pregnant with my first child. I found myself completely alone, with a baby on the way, wondering how I could possibly provide for my son.
“Then I found Little Green Sock Project, and everything changed. Everything was carefully chosen, colour-coordinated, and presented in such a thoughtful way. It felt so special—like someone truly cared about me and my baby. That feeling is indescribable, especially for someone in my position.
“There are so many people like me with stories like this. It breaks my heart to think that the Little Green Sock Project might have to close its doors. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without your help, and I hope with all my heart that the community comes together to keep this lifeline alive.”
Manchester parents need this much-loved baby bank – let’s not let it fall away on our watch. (Credit: Andy Bate at Royal Foundation)
Every pound donated goes towards helping find the Little Green Sock Project a new home, but people can help contribute in other ways, once again, by spreading the word or getting their hands dirty in person.
Greater Manchester never fails to amaze when it rallies behind causes like this, and we’re sure you won’t let us down this time either. Let’s keep the lights on the lifelines for local families intact.
You can donate now, or to find out other ways to do your bit, click HERE.
Featured Images — Little Green Sock Project/Andy Bate – Royal Foundation (supplied)
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Government to begin giving millions of UK workers ‘significant’ pay rises from this week
Emily Sergeant
The Government is to begin giving more than three million workers across the UK a ‘significant pay boost’ from this week.
Announced as part of last year’s Budget, and in a bid to ‘put thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working people every year’, the Government confirmed back at the beginning of February that a new National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10 per hour would take effect from April onwards.
Ministers said the 6.7% increase to the National Living Wage – which is now worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a ‘significant step’ towards delivering the manifesto commitment to deliver a ‘genuine’ living wage.
Today, millions of working people will get a pay rise as the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increase.
New rates:
🔹 from £11.44 to £12.21 if you’re 21 and over 🔹 from £8.60 to £10.00 if you’re 18-20 🔹 from £6.40 to £7.55 if you’re under 18 or an apprentice
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 1, 2025
On top of this, the National Minimum Wage for 18-20-year-olds is also set to go up by a record increase of £1.40 an hour, which means full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 a year.
The minimum wage pay boot has also been called the first step towards removing the ‘unfair’ age-bands that see a 21-year-old getting paid more than a 20-year-old for doing the same job.
According to the Government, this is also the first time the National Living Wage has taken into account the cost of living and inflation.
Three million UK workers will be getting a ‘significant’ pay rise from this week / Credit: Pexels
“In the last Parliament, living standards were the worst on record and sky-high inflation was crushing working people’s finances,” commented Chancellor Rachel Reeves, explaining why the pay boosts are being introduced.
“Making work pay is good for workers, will strengthen businesses’ workforces, and will grow our economy for years to come.
“It’s a key milestone on my number one mission to get more money in people’s pockets as we deliver our Plan for Change.”
Not only that, but the minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also set to be boosted later this year too, with an 18-year-old apprentice seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18% to £7.55 an hour.
As a result of these particular changes, a further four million workers also could benefit from the positive spill-over impacts of the rate increases.
Georgina Pellant -
12th November 2021 
