Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria quickly won the hearts (and stomachs) of Mancunians when it launched in the city last year.
Now, just a year into its journey and already many thousands of slabs later, owner Danny Keko is preparing to open a new sit down site for the eatery right in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Moving into the basement of garden-themed bar and kitchen Alvarium, formerly Cord Bar, Lazy Tony’s will be taking over the kitchen from the fine dining vegan concept Black Leaf serving up its popular lasagnas, giant mozzarella sticks and espresso martini tiramisu.
Whilst Lazy Tony’s has been hinting for the past few weeks about a new site, the location wasn’t confirmed until this weekend when Black Leaf and Alvarium both shared the news to their social media channels.
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
Speaking on Lazy Tony’s imminent arrival Lazy Tony’s, Alvarium said: “From Friday the 29th April, we will be welcoming Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria into our restaurant downstairs.
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“Lazy Tony’s are hyped for this opportunity and we’re excited to bring them in and see where we can take the Alvarium brand alongside their partnership.
“Although we will be sad to part ways with Black Leaf, our space has always been one which allows small brands to grow into their own.
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“Lazy Tony’s started in lockdown and immediately gained a great following. Each section of their menu has both veggie and vegan options and they, like ourselves and Black Leaf, are focused on becoming a concept that you know and love.
“We look forward to seeing what Black Leaf will become in the future, and what Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria have in store for us!”
Image: Alvarium MCR
Sharing the news of its departure, Black Leaf restaurant said this will not be the end of the road for the concept and that they’ve now got plans to find a new site of their own.
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They wrote: “Having been hosted in the Alvarium kitchen for over a year now, we’ve loved our subterranean home. However, we believe that we are now ready to find a new site of our own.
“Although we will be sad to leave Alvarium, and what we have built together, we are going to take some time to fine tune our concept and hope to find a new space that works better for us.
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
“This is not the end for Black Leaf, although closing for now, we will be returning as soon as possible, and bigger and better than ever.
“We are so grateful for all of the support from you and have loved every moment of our time here at Alvariumm however we now believe our brand is strong enough to fly the nest and have a space of our own to grow Black Leaf further into everything we aspire to be.
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“In the meantime, we are happy to be able to free up the space for a local, independent business who aren’t able to have their own site. This steppingstone has allowed us to grow and develop and we are excited to see who has this opportunity next.”
Whilst a date for Lazy Tony’s official opening at the site is still to be confirmed, Black Leaf has confirmed its last day at Alvarium will be 27 April. From now until then, the kitchen will be offering 25% off food Monday to Thursday for those fans who want to give it a proper send off.
Feature image – Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
News
Police appeal after teenage girl reports being sexually assaulted in a Stretford park
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal for information has been issued after a teenage girl reported being sexually assaulted in a park in Stretford.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers attended Victoria Park, in the Stretford area, earlier this week on Tuesday night (21 July) following reports that a teenage girl had been sexually assaulted.
The incident is reported to have happened between 5:30pm and 5:44pm, and the offender is described to be an older white male of a large build who was wearing a black t-shirt.
No arrests have been made at this time, GMP confirmed, and enquiries are ongoing.
As police continue their investigation at pace, a public appeal for information has been issued in the hopes that someone can come forward and provide the details needed to track down the offender.
“Detectives are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry and the victim is being fully supported by specially trained officers,” explained Detective Superintendent Suzanne Keenaghan, from GMP’s Trafford district.
“There will be an increased police presence in and around Victoria Park while officers continue their investigation and provide reassurance to the local community.”
Police say they are ‘particularly keen’ to hear from anyone who was in the park at the time, or who may have CCTV, doorbell, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the area.
Anyone with information can speak to police officers at the scene, call 101, or contact GMP via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3029 of 21/07/26.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues to be slashed by 20% next year
Emily Sergeant
Business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues across England are set to be slashed by 20% next year.
Continuing on with his week of, seemingly, introducing a new measure a day amid the cost of living crisis, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has now announced that he has taken action to cut business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues across England from April next year.
It’s expected that these new business rate cuts will benefit nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues, saving the typical pub an estimated £1,100 in the next financial year.
“For too long, the pubs, social clubs, and live music venues that form the backbone of local high streets have been replaced by boarded up windows and for sale signs,” the Government said in a statement as the cuts were announced today.
Andy Burnham is slashing business rates for pubs, clubs, and live music venues by 20% next year / Credit: John Arano (via Unsplash) | Wikimedia Commons
These changes are set to be fully funded by the Government – including through reviewing reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops for example.
The Government says it also plans to crack down on businesses that sell through online marketplaces but do not comply with their tax obligations, which therefore puts them at an unfair advantage over businesses that do play by the rules.
I’m giving thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues a 20% cut in business rates.
I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs.
They’re the heart of our communities and it’s time we backed them.
“Pubs, clubs and live music venues are at the heart of communities across the UK,” explained Chancellor John Healey. “They help make a place what we love. They bring people together, support local jobs and help keep high streets, and town centres busy, which is why we will back them all the way.
“We are determined to bring hope back, give businesses the support they need and generate growth in every postcode.”
Prime Minister Andy Burnham added: “For too long, Governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets. So today I am changing that.
“This Government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. I said I would protect pubs and local high streets, and that’s what we will do. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th April 2022 
