Boozy independent ice cream slingers A Few Scoops have revealed exciting new plans to settle down in a permanent parlour in Sale next month, bringing their trademark treats to the Trafford town.
Epic cocktail-inspired sundaes, sorbets and milkshakes will be the order of the day when the artisans open inside Sale Foodhall next week on 3 February.
Flavours like espresso martini, pina colada, old fashioned and mojito, all lovingly made by the team, will be served in cones from the Antonelli Brothers in Eccles, or coupled with brownies, sugar waffles and cookies as part of more elaborate ice cream sundaes.
The new sundae menu has been put together especially for Sale, and the team are currently developing some new flavours too -including cocktail-inspired white Russian and cherry bourbon ice creams – ready to debut when they open the parlour next week.
These boozy ice creams will also be used to make indulgent shakes, or as 600ml tubs for ice cream lovers to enjoy at home.
It’s not all booze and cream, though. Non-drinkers and vegans will have something to enjoy too, with a range of straight-up alcohol-free ice creams, sorbets and shakes also on offer.
They will join the likes of Basilico Pizza and What’s Your Beef as residents at Sale Foodhall on Stanley Square in the town centre.
Image: Sale Food Hall
Having already built a large and loyal following touring Greater Manchester (and beyond) with their cocktail-inspired puds, all served out of their beloved baby pink tuk tuk (Jolene) and vintage bike (Dolly), the move to Sale marks an exciting new chapter.
Open Sunday – Thursday 12pm – 9pm, and Friday and Saturday 12pm – 10pm, .to celebrate their arrival on 3 February A Few Scoops will be giving away a free scoop of ice cream in a cone between 5 and 7pm.
They also plan to serve up ice cream for breakfast from 9am on Saturday 5 February to mark Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, which doesn’t sound like a real thing – but we’re absolutely here for it.
Speaking on the new opening, Alanna, founder of A Few Scoops, said: “We’re delighted to be joining the Foodhall family and to bring our scoops over to Sale.
Image: A Few Scoops
“Both Foodhalls and the General Stores have been so supportive of A Few Scoops since we launched in May last year and we can’t wait to call Sale Foodhall our home.”
Maisie Chow, a spokesperson for the Foodhalls, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome A Few Scoops to our Foodhall community.
“We have been looking for the right person to complete our wonderful independent street food family over here in Sale and the innovative, local and independent spirit of what Alanna and her team do fit perfectly with us. Get ready for some seriously good ice cream Sale.’”
Feature image – A Few Scoops
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More than 1,300 Clean Air Zone signs to finally be taken down across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A saga is finally coming to an end… the saga of Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone, that is.
The Clean Air Zone was to initially hand motorists daily charges of up to £60 for some of the most polluting vehicles on Greater Manchester‘s roads.
The Government agreed to delay the deadline for the scheme until 2026, but local leaders wanted to scrap all charges and help to fund vehicle upgrades instead.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) then set out evidence supporting an investment-led, and, crucially for residents and motorists, a non-charging Clean Air Plan back in June 2022 – which it said was ‘the best solution’ to address the roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) problem.
More than 1,300 Clean Air Zone signs to finally be taken down across Greater Manchester / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr
And then, back in January of this year, it was confirmed that Greater Manchester’s plan for the introduction of a non-charging clean air zone had been backed by the Government.
More than 1,300 Clean Air Zone signs were installed across Greater Manchester at the start of the controversial scheme being initially proposed, as well as a total of 407 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
But while it was initially thought that this technology may go to waste, it was revealed in March 2023 that they were actually being used for an entirely different reason all together – detecting crime.
While the cameras are intended to stay in place and in use, the more than 1,000 signs are to be taken down.
“We’ve always been focused on doing what’s right for Greater Manchester, and by accelerating investment in our public transport network, we’re showing that it’s possible to improve air quality faster than if a charging Clean Air Zone had been introduced,” commented Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, who is the Clean Air lead for Greater Manchester.
“As we deliver our Clean Air Plan alongside the Bee Network, with support from the Government, we’ll roll out the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by the end of the decade and improve the air we all breathe for generations to come.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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A charity match is being held in memory of late footballer Joe Thompson
Danny Jones
A fundraising match is being held in memory of late footballer and charity champion, Joe Thompson, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
The former Manchester United academy product and Rochdale AFC legend famously faced a long battle with cancer, being sadly diagnosed with nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma for the first time back in 2013, being forced into a prolonged period off the pitch and, eventually, early retirement by 2019.
Bath-born Thompson, who also played for Bury at the end of his career, was tragically struck by the illness on three different occasions; after stage four lymphoma spread to his lungs, he sadly died this past April at the age of just 36.
Just the most heartbreaking story, but in honour of Joe’s life, the two clubs closest to his heart and which she shared the strongest connection to are now set to remember him in a special charity game next month.
Announcing the game via social media on 26 July, Rochdale AFC confirmed it will be hosting the fundraising friendly between the Greater Manchester National League outfit and Man United’s under-21s.
Writing on the club website, Rochdale said: “Both clubs will come together to remember Joe, who meant so much to both Dale and United, on Saturday, 2 August (3pm kick-off).
“A minute’s applause will take place before kick-off, whilst members of Joe’s family, who will be in attendance, are selecting some of his favourite music to be played in the build-up to the game.
“Shirts from the match will also be auctioned off post-match, with proceeds going to Joey T’s Foundation when integrated.”
Detailing how his boyhood club have recently introduced the official ‘Joe Thompson Award’, presented to players who have the traits of not just a United person but, more importantly, Joe: “resilience, honesty, integrity, humility, innovation and a relentless work ethic, with a focus on the community.”
He was a truly inspiring individual.
Even after hanging up his boots, he kept moving for a good cause.
With all this in mind, Rochdale will be a charity exhibition match against United’s U21s squad – a team of players who are around Joe’s age when he left The Cliff to join Rochdale.
The club went on to add that all future fixtures between the clubs from now on will include a special trophy, with the first being the National League Cup match, which is due to be staged at their Crown Oil Arena home ground on 21 October.
As for this touching and heartfelt fundraising fixture, once again, the game will take place on Saturday, 2 August, kicking off at 3pm.
You can find out more details about the ‘A Game For Joe’ charity match in aid of the Thompson family’s foundation and grab your tickets HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
27th January 2022 
