A new alcohol-free pop up bar experience is opening at Kampus next month, promising a series of events that don’t rely on booze.
This thriving neighbourhood, which is packed full of bars, restaurants and cafes, will soon welcome Love From to its ranks.
The pop-up, open between 12 and 22 October, is founded by Karl Considine, who hosts the What Next podcast and shares stories of sobriety.
Love From will help to pave the way for the rapidly-growing alcohol-free market as more and more people turn their backs on booze.
Events will include a tasting masterclass with alcohol-free spirit brand Lyres, an art workshop and cocktail tasting with local artist Caroline Dowsett, and loads more.
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Over the two weeks, Love From will be supported by pioneers including Sober Girl Society, So Let’s Talk and Manchester Pride, hosting a mixer, open mic night and a queer film screening respectively.
Karl hopes Love From will attract those who are already sober, sober-curious, or just looking for something outside of their norm to try, and will challenge the narrative that alcohol-free living can be just as fun-filled as drinking.
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Karl Considine at Love From, a new alcohol-free bar pop-up at Kampus. Credit: SuppliedKarl Considine at Love From, a new alcohol-free bar pop-up at Kampus. Credit: Supplied
He is an Alcohol Change UK (ACUK) Ambassador and has recently left his 15 year corporate job to pursue Love From full time.
Karl has now been sober for more than two and half year, having previously lived a life that involved heavy drinking.
He described Love From as ‘very much a passion project’ and added: “We’re creating a space for people to connect in a setting that serves super tasty alcohol-alternative drinks coupled with hosting awesome events.”
He also hopes that he can use feedback from the pop-up to create a more permanent space in Manchester.
Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital&Centric, said: “Karl’s a massive champion for change and this run of unique pop-up events is something different for the city to coincide with Sober October.
“It offers a real alternative for those who want to meet up and connect with people in a space that doesn’t revolve around alcohol.”
The menu will consist of cocktails developed in partnership with Lyre’s, Everleaf and Caleno, and alcohol free beers from Lucky Saint and Beavertown. There will also be original cocktails available throughout the two weeks at Kampus where the team at Love From will be testing out some unique styles and flavours ahead of opening a permanent space.
You can follow Love From and Kampus on Instagram for the latest events and tickets.
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Daisy Jackson
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
Indie food and drink festival to return to popular Greater Manchester town for second year
Emily Sergeant
A food and drink festival shining a spotlight on independent businesses is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving later this month, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
Organised by Love Urmston and hosted by Urmston resident and food and drink presenter, Matty White, this community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Now in its second year, YUM! continues to shine a spotlight on Urmston’s indie food scene and the passion of the people behind it, but as well as local residents, it also invites the rest of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester community to come together.
So whether you just live down the road, or you are discovering the town for the first time, everyone is welcome to pop down.
“Bringing YUM! back for a second year is incredibly exciting,” commented Fred Davids, who is the Chair of the Love Urmston committee.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate what makes Urmston special – its community, and fantastic food and drink scene, welcoming people from near and far to experience the town at its best.
“And as a committee, we’re proud to support our incredible local independent businesses who put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
YUM! is returning to Urmston for another delicious festival this month / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Just some of the independent businesses you’ll find at the festival throughout the day include English Rose Bakery, Inforno Pizzeria, Dan’s Cookies, Banga Curries, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen, The Greek Village, Pomona Island Brewery, Kelder Wines, and so many more.
The festival is also proudly sponsored by Gecko Homes – a north west property developer that specialises in creating affordable and shared ownership homes across many of Manchester’s most popular suburbs.
You can read more about what Gecko Homes is doing across the region here.
Daisy Jackson -
25th September 2023 
