A popular Thai restaurant called Giggling Squid is opening its doors in Manchester next year, bringing Thai-style tapas, curries, salads and cocktailswith it.
Popular restaurant chain Giggling Squid first originated in Brighton under the name Mai Ped Ped Ped before rebranding when it opened its second restaurant in Hove.
Now, 41 sites later, it has revealed plans to open its first northern restaurant in Manchester’s Spinningfields district over on Hardman Square.
The new Thai restaurant will open opposite The Ivy in a vacant Spinningfields unit at some point in the new year.
It will serve a selection of Thai dishes, ranging from the likes of Phuket mussels in a red curry broth to Samui zingy prawns, Betel beef on sugar cane skewers, salt and pepper squid and chicken satay.
Whoever wrote the menu here is clearly fond of an adjective, as elsewhere you’ll find the likes of ‘delicious’ Thai chicken wings, ‘yummy’ duck spring rolls and ‘big flavour’ mushroom larb.
You’ll also find Thai staples like Paneang curry, pad Thai and lamb shank massaman on the menu, which is split into seven sections – starters, from the land, from the water, stir fry, curry, noodles and sides, and rice.
Founded by couple Andrew and Pranee Laurillard, the restaurant has grown significantly from its early beginnings in a fisherman’s cottage in Brighton.
That cottage, once the couple’s home, is still the base of their restaurant today – with diners down south able to book in to enjoy dinner in the same space where the concept was conceived.
The initial concept was to cook ‘simple, rustic, fresh Thai food’ and create a menu that ‘people could eat like they do at home’, say the couple, explaining that ‘in Thailand, mealtimes are all about lots of dishes that everyone shares’.
Whilst they acknowledge that the menu has ‘moved on a bit now’, the pair state that some of those original dishes are still guest favourites today.
To date, Giggling Squid has restaurants across the country – all located in various towns across the south of England. The new Manchester site will be its first proper northern opening, joining fellow Thai newcomer Rosa’s Thai Cafe and longstanding Thai favourite Thaikhun in the glittering business district.
To find out more and keep up to date with any new developments, make sure to follow the Giggling Squid on social media here. Check out the restaurant’s website and menu here.
Feature image – Giggling Squid
News
Fire service thanks Manchester public for cooperation while they worked to extinguish Hotspur Press fire
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s fire service has now thanked the public for their cooperation after crews worked under ‘very challenging conditions’ last night.
One of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left destroyed this morning after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press building, which is on Cambridge Street beside Oxford Road train station, late yesterday afternoon (Monday 23 June).
It was subsequently declared a ‘major incident’ by authorities.
Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
BREAKING 🚨 Huge fire in Manchester city centre right now – historic Hotspur Press is ablaze with major disruption to trains out of Oxford Road #manchester#mcrpic.twitter.com/SnA52oiqxm
At the height of the blaze, two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters were working at the scene in warm and humid conditions.
Formal statements addressing the incident have already been made by Manchester City Council Leader, Cllr Bev Craig, and the UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the latter of which provided relevant health advice.
GMFRS has thanked the Manchester public for their cooperation as they worked to extinguish the Hotspur Press fire / Credit: The Manc Group | Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)
But as of 9:40am this morning, with much of the fire extinguished despite crews still working at the scene, GMFRS has now issued a statement providing the latest updates on the incident and thanking the public for ‘allowing us to get on with the job’
“The fire spread to several balconies at the two tower blocks at number 1 Cambridge Street, and we took the decision to evacuate all residents,” explained a spokesperson for GMFRS. “Firefighters worked tirelessly to ensure all occupants made it out of the buildings safely and there are no reports of any occupants suffering ill health.
“Shortly after 9pm, once the major incident was lifted, the occupants of one of those blocks was able to return home, while the other remains closed as we work with Manchester City Council and the building owner to make the building habitable again.
🚨 Crews remain at the Hotspur Press building to monitor and dampen down remaining hotspots
🚒 Oxford Road train station and the railway lines have reopened but Cambridge Street remains closed
🧑🚒 Thank you to the public for your support while we tackled this incident
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) June 24, 2025
“Oxford Road station and the railway line have now reopened. Crews are still working on Gloucester St and the main area around the mill, but the main roads of Whitworth Street and access off the Mancunian Way have reopened.
“Crews will be joined by specialist fire officers later this morning to begin investigating the cause of the fire, as well as assessing the extent of the structural damage to the building.
“We’d like to thank the public for allowing us to get on with the job last night under very challenging conditions.”
Featured Image – GMFRS (via Twitter)
News
UKHSA issues health advice following huge fire at derelict Manchester city centre mill
Emily Sergeant
The UK’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is just one authority to release a statement following a derelict mill in Manchester going up in flames yesterday.
Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
BREAKING 🚨 Huge fire in Manchester city centre right now – historic Hotspur Press is ablaze with major disruption to trains out of Oxford Road #manchester#mcrpic.twitter.com/SnA52oiqxm
Around 180 residents in two neighbouring apartment blocks were evacuated, and had to either be put up at hotels, or stay with family and friends overnight.
Train lines were also blocked throughout the night at Oxford Road station after smoke and flames billowed onto the tracks, but as of this morning (Tuesday 24 June), National Rail said all lines had reopened, but did however warn commuters to expect ‘residual disruption’ to services throughout the morning.
Now, the morning after the fire with much of it extinguished, some wider road cordons have been lifted around the Whitworth Street West area, however many do still remain in place, and a significant police and fire presence can also be seen.
LATEST: The blaze looks to have been extinguished after some incredible work by @manchesterfire.
A large cordon is still in place; Whitworth Street is currently closed for the foreseeable and there are major rail delays/cancellations surrounding Manchester Oxford Rd Station.
Appealing to any local residents or members of the public who were in the vicinity of the scene of the fire yesterday, including those spectating as smoke billowed, a spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a statement offering some advice and guidance: “The general advice is people should remain out of the smoke. Smoke is an irritant, it can make people’s eyes and throat sore.
“Some substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain.
“Chemicals in the smoke can worsen existing health problems like asthma. People with asthma and other respiratory conditions may be particularly susceptible to the smoke and should carry and use their medication, such as inhalers, as usual.”
The statement then concluded by urging anyone who may have concerns about the smoke’s impact on their health to contact NHS 111 service, either online or over the phone.
Health advice has been issued following a huge fire at a derelict Manchester city centre mill / Credit: Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)
Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, has also issued a statement following the major incident.
“We’ve been working closely with emergency response colleagues following the major fire incident at the Hotspur Press building,” her statement begins.
“Evacuated residents are now being supported at a nearby rest centre.
“A cordon remains around Cambridge Street along with local road closures, and we thank people for taking fire service advice to avoid the area while crews continue to work at the site. Those living nearby should also continue to keep windows and doors shut to avoid smoke.
“A final thank you to the city’s emergency personnel for their ongoing efforts, acting quickly to keep the fire under control and keeping our residents safe.”
Georgina Pellant -
7th December 2021 
