Manchester’s original dirty burger bar Almost Famous is set to open a new restaurant inside a Withington pub.
With its eyes firmly on the suburbs, the longstanding local burger brand will move into the South Manchester student hot spot this summer – taking over the space vacated by Withington pub The Libertine at the end of 2022.
The Libertine closed just six months after it was opened by the Cottonopolis team inside a historic old bank on the village’s High Street, with bosses citing energy costs as one of the reasons for its departure.
Almost Famous will now move into the newly renovated Grade II-listed building this May, serving up its ever-popular combination of loaded burgers, flaming cocktails and winning fries.
Promising a ‘neighbourhood friendly vibe’ with movie and quiz nights, the new site will launch at the end of the month with a week’s worth of parties and its own special burger ‘The Southside ’, which will be exclusive to the Withington branch.
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Image: Almost Famous
Image: Almost Famous
Owners also plan to launch reach out to local community organisations to create new partnerships with the neighbourhood, which is home to organisations like public art project Withington Walls, and The Christie, which is one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe.
Sharing the news on Instagram in a post that has been liked over 800 times, owner Beau Myers wrote: “ALMOST FAMOUS WITHINGTON. FINALLY we are opening a NEW Almost Famous – we’re moving to the southside suburbs for our latest greatest fantastical burger heaven.
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“NGL last few years have been shit and a struggle for us all so this feels like a real super sherbet dibdab ray of sunshine.
“We’ve got the old Libertine which is the most beautiful listed building (an old bank) right at the top of the high st and we’re decking it out with our usual fun and mischief and a 10ft gorilla.
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“This part of Manchester has always been home for me and like a playground between town and Dids… – kebabs at Abdul’s or Monsoon- the 42bus up and down – the Didsbury dozen – when curry’s in Rusholme were a fiver including a beer – Parklife at Platt Fields – Big Hands – feels good to be going into South Manchester.
“We’ll be open for the end of May so stay tuned and hit us up if you want invites to the opening parties – let’s get back to having all the good times.”
Fans of the burger brand were quick to comment their congratulations, with one person writing: “Amazing news guys , top location. Couldn’t think of a better business to turn it on down there. Can’t wait to come and try. Almost famous have lead the way for so many so its good to hear you are back in the groove . BIG LOVE NS”
Another added: “Congrats mate! I’ll come across for the opening party if I can!”
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A third said: “Fantastic news! I’ve lived in South Mcr pretty much all my life, and loved Almost Famous since the early pop up days in NQ! Amazing that my two loves are finally coming together would love the chance to celebrate at the opening!”
To keep up to date with news surrounding Almost Famous’s new opening later this month, follow the restaurant group on Instagram here.
Featured image – Almost Famous
Eats
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb
Thomas Melia
Much-loved Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five has just unveiled a beautiful refurbishment at one of its Manchester sites, along with a new menu of fresh, handmade pasta.
Gone is the famous yellow colour palette of this Italian eatery as they swap in a sophisticated and regal turquoise blue at their Liverpool Road restaurant.
This establishment is known for its impressive shop-window pasta making stations where you can see your food prepared live in-store and while walking past outside the venue.
They’re continuing their foodie legacy serving carby creations, like a flaming cheese wheel pasta where staff blowtorch the cheese to ensure it’s as melty as possible.
One of the biggest menu highlights at Italiana Fifty-Five is the cappellacci, which comes in two equally gorgeous forms and much like its English translation, emulates tiny hats.
These cute little plates come in two delicious stuffed pairings – the burrata, combined with a tangy tomato and beef filling, and a salmon with cream sauce and fresh lemon for a match made in heaven.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
How can you think of anything more ideal than a table full of hearty and home-comforting meals than one that also features an array of beautiful sides?
Usual delights like the burrata on a bed of rocket, tomato and finished off with a balsamic vinegar glaze area great addition to your already faultless food.
Cheesy garlic pizza bread is quintessential when dining in an Italian restaurant, and Italiana 55’s lovely flavour-packed favourite is a go-to when ordering here.
The Liverpool Road restaurant also has a tonnata pizza which uses toppings that are an exact ingredient breakdown of the Mediterranean sauce, which it shares its name with.
In photos: Italiana Fifty-Five has undergone a refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to wolf down some incredible Italian feasts than with some perfectly paired alcoholic offerings like the classic Aperol spritz, trusted espresso martinis and a selection of fine wines.
Their menu is staying as tasty as ever with their delicious pizzas and pastas, with the new fresh pasta menu available at their restaurants on Liverpool Road and in Didsbury.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Georgina Pellant -
10th May 2023 
