The founder of Bask, the much-loved bar and music venue in Stockport town centre, has sadly had to step away from the business after being “signed off sick”, letting fans know that he needs to focus on looking after himself.
Music promoter turned bar owner and entrepreneur, Benji Taylor from Heaton Moor, set up Bask back in 2022; the pub, live music space and food spot is now a go-to spot for Stopfordians, becoming a favourite on the local hospitality scene and a cornerstone of the wider community.
Unfortunately, however, Taylor has informed his followers and regular punters that he will no longer be working with Bask – at least not for the foreseeable future, anyway – explaining that the current team will be taking control of the reins from here on out.
Although he didn’t give too many details, the expectant father has always been a huge champion for mental health awareness and recently lost three family dogs in just the last five weeks. Speaking in a lengthy statement on social media, he said this is “the end of an incredible couple of years.”
Benji’s post continues: “What a ride the last few years have been at Bask. Who’d have thought it, a bar in SK doing all those ace things it has?
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“Truth be told I’m struggling right now. For a bunch of different reasons. Signed off sick currently, and I’ll be leaving all Bask projects.” Ben recently opened a second entertainment-focused site in Wigan, Bask. Live, with firm friend and business partner Simon Silcock, who was born and bred in the area.
The former Night and Day, Sound Control and Jimmy’s promoter, who spent more than two decades working in the music industry, went on to add: “Big love to all bar staff past and present, couldn’t have done what we do without you. Warriors.
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“Everyone of you that supported me and the bar from day one to now, coming to an event, popping in for a drink, or just to say hello. Of course, all the artists that have played. Just done a little recap and that’s some memories right there. Very proud to have been able to bring that quality of act to Stockport.
Proper dream come true to have that relationship with [Stockport] County, fans, staff and players. One that will continue. Thank you to Simon who brought me this opportunity, and of course to Gareth.
The outpouring of love for the highly-valued SK figure and director of the You Are Not Alone music festival in aid of Mind (set to return in 2025) was immediate, with countless people replying with equally emotional and touching messages of support.
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Sending love Ben mate! Should be very proud on what you have built x
Setting lots of love mate ❤️ You’ve gotta prioritise yourself above all else so take it easy. What you’ve built at @thisisbask has been great for the town, hopefully speak soon x
You should be unbelievably proud of everything you've achieved pal, including choosing the right time to step away. Look after yourself and you'll be back stronger than ever 💙
Tameside funny man Justin Moorhouse was one of several big comedians and artists who have already graced the Bask to respond in the comments, writing: “Take care of yourself my mate. You have always been there for everyone. Let people be there for you now.”
Even prior to his post, Ate Days Week founder and long-time collaborator Andy James (whose pies are served up to diners and the County faithful every week) recently hailed his impact: “Nobody does it better than Benji Taylor, I’ll tell ya that much. Changed Stockport forever he has.
He signed off by assuring that he knows Bask will continue to “grow from strength to strength”, adding: Thank you to Simon who brought me this opportunity, and of course to Gareth […] Big love to Lewis [James], [the] first-ever time I’ve had someone work alongside me, shame it was so short. One day we’ll go at it again I’m sure.
“It’s time to look after myself tho, as that’s very much overdue. You have to be happy, because without that, what really is the point? And I’m not right now. I’ll be back doing what I do best at some point no doubt. See you all soon.”
As a Stockport-born lad myself, I can personally attest to the transformative influence Bask has had on the late-night and local scene in general. Like everyone else, we’re big fans of what he’s built from what used to be little more than an empty cafe opposite the train station. All the best, Ben.
Marco Pierre White praises Manchester restaurant serving ‘the best pizza’ he’s EVER had
Danny Jones
Legendary chef Marco Pierre White has given his verdict on where he thinks does THE best pizza not just in the UK but perhaps in the entire world, and it’s right here in Manchester
Rudy’s, Nell’s, Double Zero and now this – we really are spoilt for slices in 0161, aren’t we?
Pierre White, who was not only the first Brit to ever win three Michelin stars but the youngest person to achieve the feat in history, recently visited the restaurant in question and was more than happy to share his bold claims, dubbing it “the very best I’ve ever had in my life”.
That’s saying quite something, not only from one of the most famous chefs in the world, but given his own family heritage. He even saw fit to sign the menu and write the man in the kitchen a thank-you note.
A recent London export, which only just launched in spring 2025, the 63-year-old chef, entrepreneur and TV personality says that Forbici is now his number one, stating simply: “Let the pizzas do the talking.”
Noting that he’s been all over the world and eaten at some of the most highly-rated venues in the world (especially given the fact that he is of Italian heritage on his mother’s side), including some of the most authentic you’ll find in the likes of Naples, Rome, and so on, he still seemed confident in his declaration.
Citing other famous names in the world of cooking, like Nancy Silverton of Pizzeria Mozza fame, as well as fellow TV chef and restaurateur Mario Batali, he says that the creative takes on Neapolitan ‘pies’ that master baker Davide Argentino is currently cooking up are nothing short of “delicious.”
Having first become famous down in the capital for its name, which simply translates as ‘scissors’ – also the chosen utensil given to diners for cutting up their pizzas – it proved a smash hit when it made its way up North, garnering massive opening day queues outside its restaurant on the corner of Cross Street.
Better still, you can now order it to take away, too… Game-changer.
Now, it goes without saying that we’re lucky enough to have many restaurants serving some of the authentic food from various regions all over Italy, not to mention a plethora of incredible pizza spots in the city centre and the wider boroughs.
It’s no exaggeration, therefore, to say that we struggle picking our absolute favourite from week to week at this point.
What we will say is that we bloody love Forbici, too, and are glad to see them getting so much recognition since arriving in the region.
You can get 25% off your bill when eating out at this well-known Italian restaurant with a secret code
Danny Jones
Fancy going out for tea but still trying not to spend too much money at this time of year? Well, Manchester, you can get 25% off your bill at an already affordable British restaurant chain by simply saying a special phrase.
This deal is only available this week, though, so we wouldn’t wait around.
We’ve all been there: you’re fed up of getting home after working and having to cook, so you start trying to justify ‘just one‘ night out, but it can be a real pull between enjoyment and ease versus trying to save those pennies – especially with the festive period looming.
Luckily, well-known Italian restaurant group Carluccio’s, who have a site right here in central Manchester, is offering a significant discount by simply asking for the bill in Italian. Simple as.
As a recognisable name on the UK high street, the authentic Italian eatery dates back nearly three and a half decades, the London-born deli and food shop going on to open its first-ever sit-down venue called Carluccio’s Caffè back in 1999.
In addition to their long-standing Manchester location in Piccadilly Station, the brand was also a shop-window establishment for the Trafford Centre, sitting front and centre as one of the first places to eat as you walked in the Orient entrance.
Now, as for how you access this welcome bit of money off your bill, it’s very straightforward and can be secured as fast as you can say “The bill, please”; well, actually, you need to ask for it in Italian, as it is this phrase that Carluccio’s has dubbed the ‘secret code’.
Following a study by language learning app, Preply, which recently carried out research into menu anxiety and struggling to make a decision when dining out, they’ve teamed up with Carluccio‘s to help push people to feel more confident ordering dishes not in their native tongue.
They found that almost half (49%) have felt embarrassed about not speaking another language, with one fifth of those surveyed lacking the confidence to try and pronounce foreign words, while one in six worried they’d be judged for getting it wrong.
Well, there’s no getting it wrong in this instance, as the Carluccio’s and Preply are giving you the specific keywords not only to ask for the bill in Italian – “Il conto, per favore” – but to unlock the bonus of a quarter off the final sum.
Anna Pyshna, spokesperson at Preply, says: “People may know how to say gnocchi in theory, but when the waiter’s standing there, confidence can vanish. We want to show that getting things wrong is part of learning and sometimes, even worth a discount.
“By turning a simple phrase into a real-world reward, we’re helping people take that first, brave step to speak up. It’s a reminder that the language learning process doesn’t start with perfection, it starts with the willingness to try.”
So, that really is it: dine at any of their restaurants across the country (including here in Manchester) and ask for the bill in Italian to get 25% off your bill; once again, the offer is only on until 9 November. You can find your nearest Carluccio’s location HERE.
Danny Jones -
28th August 2024 
