Manchester’s tiniest tapas bar is taking over Chorlton Green
Diners can expect to find tried-and-tested tapas favourites, alongside lesser-known dishes adapted from family recipes passed down through generations.
Manchester’s tiniest tapas eatery has just revealed plans to take over the kitchen at Chorlton Green over the Jubilee weekend.
Abeja chef Ana Villegas will bemoving into the charming independent wine and cocktail bar, run by local couple David and Lucy, for four days – cooking up a southern Spanish menu, with a focus on fine Andalucian produce.
A biochemist for the past twenty years, she first launched Abjea in 2019 ahead of the pandemic – starting life from a tiny unit hidden underneath the Mancunian Way.
This was Ana’s first foray into the world of hospitality – not that you’d be able to tell – and whilst she no longer has her unit at Hatch, she’s continued to do pop-ups around the city every now and then whilst she looks for a new home.
Image: Supplied
Now, she’s bringing Abeja to the Chorlton Green for a limited time only – giving fans a chance to sample some of their favourite dishes once again when she pops up in the south Manchester suburb this June.
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Starting from 2 June, fans will be able to tuck into gorgeous sharing platters of painstakingly-sourced Spanish cheese and charcuterie from chef Ana Villegas’ hometown, alongside special nibbles like piquillo pepper hummus canapes and olives.
On the tapas menu, meanwhile, diners will find blistered padron peppers sat alongside handmade serrano ham and spinach and cheese croquettes, as well as Olla Gitana – a special stew you must try that comes from Ana’s hometown of Granada.
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Image: Supplied
Other must-tries include her classic Spanish tortilla, which comes served with aioli and piquillo peppers, and the Pincho Maruno – a dish of marinated Iberico pork skewers, served with padron and piquillo peppers.
Elsewhere, you’ll find the tapas staple patatas bravas with customisable add-ons like chorizo and fried eggs, alongside grilled, juicy shell-on prawns and crisp, lightly battered calamari.
As for dessert (if you’ve got room), think freshly-fried churros served with a chocolate dipping sauce. The perfect way to finish off an afternoon or evening of indulgence, if you ask us.
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Alongside Chorlton Green’s great selection of drinks, Abeja will also be serving up glasses and jugs of classic sangria to help locals celebrate this Bank Holiday with a Spanish twist.
The southern Spanish kitchen became hugely popular during its time at indie food and drink village Hatch, where it carved out a niche for itself as the tiniest tapas bar in the city.
With room for just 15 covers at a time, its fans would all squish in to devour plates of charcuterie and cheese, as well as Ana’s more unusual dishes – like aubergine fries served with molasses.
When the team announced plans to close their Hatch site in January this year, they wrote on social media that it had been ‘an incredible journey […] despite opening a few months before Covid’.
Having begun the business with zero experience in the hospitality industry (Villegas left a career as a research scientist to open Abeja), it was with heavy hearts that they decided it was time to move on from Hatch.
However, they also hinted towards plans for a new site all of their own, adding “this is far from the end for Abeja – we are moving on to bigger and better things… We will be announcing some very exciting news about a new, independent venue very soon!”
More information on the new opening is yet to be released, but in the meantime, Abeja fans should make sure to go and enjoy Ana’s inventive cooking over in Chorlton.
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You can find Abeja at the Chorlton Green between 12-9pm from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.
Feature image – Supplied
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Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.
The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.
A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.
Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.
“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.
“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”
Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps
In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.
Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for tour
Thomas Melia
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are bringing their Together At Home tour to Manchester, here’s everything you need to know for their AO Arena gig.
The boys are back in town, and by the boys we mean multi-million selling vocalists Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, who are heading to Manchester this month.
This duo are no stranger to each other’s company making six collaborative albums since 2016 covering songs from The Greatest Showman, The Lion King and New York, New York.
Their latest release ‘Together At Home’ which doubles as the name for the tour sees the pair back to their good old tricks covering hits like ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ and ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’.
These two powerhouses know how to sing in style and that’s why they’ve chosen the impressive AO Arena to host their brand new show.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe UK tour dates
Sat 29 March – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 30 March – Bournemouth, UK – International Centre
Tue 1 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Wed 2 April – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
Fri 4 April – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sat 5 April – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Mon 7 April – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live
Tue 8 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 10 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Fri 11 April – Birmingham, UK – BP Pulse Live
Sun 13 April – London, UK – The O2
Mon 14 April – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe tickets for AO Arena gig
Anyone looking at tickets for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s upcoming tour have plenty of opportunity to see these two singing their hearts out.
Fans of the duo better act fast as these tickets are very limited, starting from a reasonable £47.75 and reaching £98.75.
If you want to go all out on this occasion tickets are also available for The Mezz, which is the arena’s fine dining experience covering you before and throughout the show at a fixed price of £206.25.
What are the stage times for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe in Manchester?
AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you’ll still be able to make it home and pop the kettle on before you get your forty winks.
Their support act comes in the form of another duo, however these two mighty performers are magicians rather than singers.
The Conjurors are a worldwide renowned act famed by audiences and A Listers for their talents which they will be showing off in Manchester on the night.
How to get to AO Arena
Tram
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily it’s in Manchester Victoria Station and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route such as the 2 bus which stops a one minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena have their own official parking partners CitiParkwith 958 spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
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About the AO Arena
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Georgina Pellant -
26th May 2022 
