News

A massive Greggs megastore is coming to Greater Manchester

Plans to bring a new Greggs 'megastore' to Greater Manchester will see the retailer open a massive 1,500 square foot site at Salford's Media City.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 26th May 2022

Manchester’s Greggs fans are in for a treat this summer, as the popular bakery chain has revealed it is preparing to launch a massive new site.

The retailer is planning to bring a huge new Greggs megastore to Greater Manchester, taking over a former supermarket space spanning a whopping 1,500 square feet.

The same size as Gregg’s new flagship megastore in the capital, it will stock all our freshly prepared Greggs favourites – including sausage rolls, steak bakes, and their well-loved vegan alternatives.

Fans will also be able to get their hands on freshly-made sandwiches, savouries, sweet treats, and hot drinks when the new megastore opens in Salford’s Media City this summer.

Image: Greggs

The brand-new Greggs megastore will open in the former Booths supermarket unit next door to the new Co-op store and is set to become one of the bakery chain’s most prestigious new openings this year.

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The retailer is set to open 150 new stores in the UK this year, taking its UK total to just under 2,500.

A number of these will be in London, as the company has been focusing on expanding its reach there – perhaps because it’s been proven to be the only place in the country that seems to prefer Pret. Madness.

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Image: Greggs

Speaking on the new opening at Media City, Gillian Long, Retail Operations Director for Greggs, said: “We are delighted to be opening a new shop at MediaCity this summer to provide customers with a modern, convenient and new place to experience their Greggs favourites on the go.”

Chris Reay, MediaCity Property Director, added: “We know there’s a dedicated Greggs fan base across MediaCity and after listening to feedback we’re thrilled to secure Greggs who will be opening a significant sized store here this Summer.

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“It will provide a good value, convenience food offering which will be in demand from our growing numbers of workers, residents and visitors alike. It will be an incredible success here.”

Feature image – Greggs

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Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Roukaya B | February 2026

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

The North is full of amazing artists, and we’re spotlighting one every single month – get ready for Roukaya B to bring the ‘Heat’.

Salford soulstress Roukaya B needs no introduction, but we’re giving her one anyway, as you might not be aware of her sheer musical power.

Self-proclaimed “soul enlightener” and ‘Manchester’s Queen of Soul’, this artist has been uploading music to streaming platforms since 2022.

Rou doesn’t conform to one genre; instead, she deliberately fuses them, blending R’n’B, soul, rap, afrobeats and even jazz to create some of the freshest sounds.

Now, Roukaya B sits down with Audio North after discovering her ‘Artist of the Month’ title to discuss exciting projects, personal stories and her artistry.

An interview with Roukaya – Audio North’s Artist of the Month

What has your journey in music looked like so far?
My journey has been quite hectic, but in the best way. I’m a singer-songwriter and all-around creative, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and what my voice can do. I’ve developed my writing and ability to perform on stage, throwing myself into collaborations too.

I’m constantly evolving just like the music I’m putting out.

“Singer, writer, rapper, dancer, actress, drama queen, you can’t compete here” – We couldn’t put it any better ourselves.

Where did you grow up, and what music were you listening to?
I was raised in Salford, and music for me was very different as I come from a multicultural background. My Dad is Algerian, my Mum is Jamaican-English; they met in the South and settled up North [great choice] to have a family.

I grew up on a lot of ‘raï’ music – a North African genre with really cool drum patterns, reggae and 90s hip hop. My Mum loved that soul tune, ‘I Believe in Miracles’ by Hot Chocolate, and my Dad absolutely loved M People, especially Heather Small; they made some iconic classic anthems.

I was raised on lots of different genres, and I think that’s showcased in my music today.

When did you realise singing was something you wanted to pursue?
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a singer from a really young age. It’s what I said I’d do in primary school, it’s what I wanted to do in high school, and I did it in college.

Roukaya B - Audio North Artist of the Month Interview
Roukaya B - Audio North Artist of the Month Interview
Salford singer-songwriter Roukaya B claims our inaugural ‘Artist of the Month’ title (Credit: Audio North)

When I was growing up, it wasn’t accessible to the younger generation to see it as a viable career, so I was sort of teased and laughed at for it, so I never really dived into it. I could sing, and I studied music in high school, but I missed my opportunity on YouTube when it was fresh.

It was only after college that I decided to post covers to my Instagram, where people engaged, and it was cool for people to find and discover me. So I did college again as a music student, and the rest is history. All of this has become a part of my musical journey, and everything happens for a reason.

How did you come to this realisation?
In short, the realisation was that I wasn’t focusing on my inner drive and trust me, it wasn’t just calling me, it was essentially shouting at me: ‘Hi, babes. Use your voice, whether it’s spoken, whether it’s singing, just use it. This is a healing tool and healing force.’

What is your ultimate dream as an artist?

I want to do a ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ or ‘COLORS’ show, and I’d love to make music with Sasha Keable – if you’re reading this, Rouyaka B wants to collab, haha!

Being true to myself and remaining authentic as I progress in my career is part of that dream. I don’t want to bang out a tune every single month; I want to make sure my work is always consistent. Being a genuine artist is my ultimate dream.

Are there any fellow up-and-coming artists you’re listening to?

Remée, or ‘That Remée Girl’, as she goes by on socials. She’s a Liverpool-based alt-grunge act and let me tell you… She. Is. COOL. There are some festival dates lined up, so if you get the chance, go see her.

Roukaya B - Audio North Artist of the Month Interview
Roukaya B - Audio North Artist of the Month Interview
This Manc creative champions the city wherever she can. (Credit: Liam Heeley)

What’s next for you in terms of your music career?

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There’s a handful of live shows coming up, and they’re going to be very experimental. I also have a collection of work coming out in the future, which I can’t say too much about just yet.

There’s even a youth music project which I’m really, really, really excited about. So much is coming!

It was a pleasure chatting with Rou, and we have every faith that big things are coming for her in 2026 and beyond.

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Featured Images – The Manc Group/Press Shots (supplied via Liam Heeley)

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‘Ambitious’ new plans to tackle fly-tipping and litter across Manchester revealed

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

An ambitious new plan to tackle flytipping and litter across Manchester has been revealed.

Developed with extensive input from residents, partners, businesses, and schools all across the borough, Manchester City Council has this week unveiled and formally approved the Fly-Tipping and Litter Strategy as a long‑term plan to significantly reduce the improper disposal of waste and its drain on public money, all while improving neighbourhood cleanliness across the city.  

The strategy sets out a framework over nine years, backed by targeted enforcement, service improvements, and behaviour‑change campaigns to drive significant impact for thousands of Mancs.

As it stands, the Council removes litter as part of its scheduled services – with 6,563 reports responded to and 11,952 fines issued in 2024-25 – but is having to take things up a notch due to a consistent rise in littering incidents, as well as the ever-present issue of fly-tipping.

‘Ambitious’ new plans to tackle fly-tipping and litter across Manchester have been revealed / Credit: oatsy40 (via Flickr)

Nationally, England saw 1.15 million incidents of flytipping in 2023/24, with household waste accounting for more than 60% of cases, while here in Manchester, the city recorded a whopping 14,963 fly‑tipping incidents in 2024/25.

According to the Council, fly-tipping in Manchester usually occurs on roads and pavements (59%), and alleyways (22%). 

The Council’s new Fly-tipping and Litter Strategy will be formally launched next month to coincide with the beginning of the Great British Spring Clean, and is hoped to signal a commitment to creating ‘cleaner, safer, and greener’ neighbourhoods for everyone. 

“The Fly-Tipping and Litter Strategy is a significant step towards improving the long-term health of Manchester’s communities,” explained Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, as the plans were unveiled this week.

“We recognised how important it is to hear from residents, people who live and work in the city, themselves and so we have developed this strategy in close consultation through their lived experiences and advice. 

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“While we already have key initiatives we work under, in addition to several other strategies and projects, this new strategy sets to galvanise and advance the work our services and communities are doing to ensure Manchester becomes cleaner and greener for everyone.”

Featured Image – MJ Richardson (via Geograph)

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