Manchester is to get its first-ever bar dedicated to sake, it has been confirmed, with an opening date set for next month.
Whilst the likes of Cottonopolis, Yuzu and The Sparrows are all well known for stocking a (more than) decent selection of premium sakes, this will be the first time that a bar completely dedicated to the fermented rice wine drink has opened up in the city.
Called Monkey Trio, it will offer drinkers a range of different Japanese sake styles, as well as various Japanese-made whiskies and craft matcha beers.
Monkey Trio will open next to the popular match dessert tea house Tsujiri beneath Vita Living North sometime in May.
Details of the exact sake brands are being kept under wraps for now, but we hope to see a selection of sparkling and flavoured sakes on offer alongside more traditional styles like Junmai daiginjo as a minimum.
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The new sake bar comes amidst a bevvy of new food and drink arrivals at the Circle Square development, and will be joined by a new chicken wing specialist and a bubble tea cafe with a Manchester twist.
Image: Supplied
Chicken wing specialists Bird of Prey will bring its superior fried chicken to the Oxford Road site, offering up platters of fiery wings on their own or loaded on top of waffles, American-style.
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A secret dredging and frying method is said to put this chicken as a cut above the rest – although with some serious competition already in Manchester it remains to be seen if Bird of Prey can seriously take on the likes of Kong’s Chicken Shop and Chimaek.
Elsewhere, the development will also welcome a new traditional bubble tea cafe with a localised Manchester menu, featuring classic milk and fruit teas, alongside unique specials like Iron Goddess fresh milk tea and sweet potato boba.
Circle Square also houses Hello Oriental – a three-storey Asian food hall where diners can feast on everything from Chinese roasts to dim sum, baos to noodles, and fried rice to seafood.
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Speaking on the new arrivals at Circle Square, Max Bielby, Chief Operating Officer from Vita Group, said: “Circle Square is fast becoming Manchester’s go-to destination with new restaurants and retailers opening each month, there’s a real buzz surrounding this new community and what’s to come.
Read more:Inside Hello Oriental, Manchester’s giant new three-storey Asian food hall
“We can’t wait for Manchester to get its first Japanese sake bar with Monkey Trio and Tsuiri, showstopping fried chicken and waffles thanks to Bird of Prey and Pan-Asian teas and cosmetics with Uncle T and Momo.”
Feature image – Unsplash
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A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford, as police hunt ‘answers’
Daisy Jackson
Floral tributes have begun to pile up outside the Salford park where the remains of a baby were found earlier this week.
The child, who is being called Baby A, was discovered near Ashtons Field on Wednesday 20 November.
Their identity is not yet known, and police are trying to determine ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
In an update shared last night, GMP said their investigation was continuing and the force will do ‘everything we can to get answers’.
They also shared images of cuddly toys, flowers and letters that have been left at the snowy scene by officers and by the local community.
In the latest update, GMP said: “Our investigation continues after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Little Hulton yesterday.
“The thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Police are with Baby A, and we will do everything we can to get answers.
“We would like to thank the community for their tributes to Baby A and their support and compassion at this time. We are truly grateful.”
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford. Credit: GMP
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood said: “Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Georgina Pellant -
11th April 2022 
