Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
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In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
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Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
A tiny tiramisu hatch is opening in Ancoats this week
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new dessert spot is set to open its doors (or should that be windows) in Ancoats later this week.
Layr is a new business that is selling just one thing, and doing that one thing really well – tiramisu.
The tiramisu hatch is set to open on Thursday 29 January, with a menu of three different tiramisu flavours, each served individually portioned.
This new addition to Ancoats will be serving freshly-made, alcohol-free, Halal desserts, starting off with a classic tiramisu where sponge is soaked in espresso, then layered with vanilla marscapone and cocoa dust.
Layr has also created a new matcha tiramisu, where the sponge is soaked in matcha instead of coffee.
And completing the menu is a pistachio Layr, with pistachio marscapone, nuts, and pistachio sauce.
Layr’s tiramisu hatch on Radium Street is the latest dessert spot to open in this corner of Ancoats, in a building that’s become a bit of an incubator for sweet treats.
Pistachio tiramisu from the Layr dessert hatchA trio of tiramisu
The building is perhaps most famous for launching The Flat Baker, who operated out of a corner unit for years before becoming too successful and jumping down the road with their own proper bakery and cafe.
Layr also neighbours Baby Mayhem, famed for its extravagant doughnuts, including its bakes topped with ice cream ‘spaghetti’.
Layr will be open from 5pm until 10pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 4pm until 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The best restaurants and bars in Manchester have been named at the MFDF Awards 2025
Daisy Jackson
The winners of this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards have been named, in a night of celebration of our city’s hospitality scene.
The prestigious awards have highlighted 18 winners across Greater Manchester tonight, including the best restaurant, chef, newcomer, bar, and loads more.
In a glittering ceremony held at New Century, hundreds of hospitality insiders gathered together to toast one another and to celebrate another year of brilliant work.
The MFDF Awards, sponsored by Therme Manchester, had a whopping 130 nominees this year, with categories that recognise both the businesses and the talented individuals who shape the region’s culinary scene.
Therme Manchester will be a huge wellbeing destination with pools, saunas, waterslides, and wellbeing therapies – and they’ve sponsored the new Community Food and Drink Project of the Year, which recognises initiatives making a real difference in Greater Manchester.
The winners of this award will receive a £1000 funding boost from Therme, as well as a further £2000 to kick off a joint legacy project.
The awards were handed out based on a combination of public votes, and anonymous visits by a judging panel made up of food and drink experts, writers, and critics.
Alexa Stratton-Powell, Awards Director of Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards commented: “We’re incredibly proud to announce this year’s winners, who together represent the excellence, creativity and resilience of Greater Manchester’s hospitality sector.
“At a time when the industry continues to face tough head winds, it’s more important than ever to recognise and celebrate the people and venues doing exceptional work every day.
“We’re hugely grateful to Therme for their support of the awards, and for backing a sector that plays such a vital role in the life of the city. Manchester continues to lead the way as one of the world’s most exciting food destinations, and we hope this year’s winners and nominees inspire food lovers to go out and support the brilliant venues right on their doorstep.”
Ben Dutson, Head of Food Operations at Therme RPC, added: “We’re delighted to have sponsored this year’s awards and play a part in supporting and celebrating the brilliant food and drink businesses that make Manchester such a phenomenal place.
“It’s been fantastic to also recognise those incredible organisations that give back to the community with our brand new award – we’re looking forward to working with the winner and creating an ongoing legacy.
“Therme is all about living well and having fun – and making wellness more accessible for the community, so I can’t think of a better way of embodying that than by supporting all the great businesses and community groups that we have recognised tonight.”
All the winners in the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2025
Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
WINNER: Double Zero
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Noodle Alley, Pho Cue, Cafe Sanjuan, Hong Thai, Seoul Kimchi, Wow Báhn Mì, Rabbie’s Thai
Takeaway of the Year
WINNER: This & That
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Ceresis, Ad Maiora, Home Chinese, Viet Deli, Pancho’s Burritos, Rack, Mughli Charcoal Pit
Café or Coffee Shop of the Year
WINNER: Something More Productive
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Cafe Sanjuan, Oscillate Coffee, Federal Cafe Bar, Just Between Friends Coffee, Sipp Coffee, à bloc, The Old Fire Station Bakery
Double ZeroRackPollen
Wine offering of the Year (new for 2025)
WINNER: Flawd Wine
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Ad Hoc, Higher Ground, The Beeswing, Salut Wines, Reserve Wines, Where the Light Gets In, Kerb
Food Trader of the Year
WINNER: Rack
SHORTLISTED VENUES: The Little Sri Lankan, House of Habesha, Baity, Rita’s Reign, Taiko Ramen, Thatziki, Little Scarfs
Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year
WINNER: Stockport
SHORTLISTED NEIGHBOURHOODS: Urmston, Levenshulme, Chorlton, Monton, Salford, Altrincham, Sale
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Independent Drink Producer of the Year
WINNER: Track Brewing Co
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Balance Brewing & Blending, Pod Pea Vodka, Stiff Tea Brewing Company, Sureshot Brewing, Runaway Brewery, Seven Bro7hers, Weekend Project Brewing Co
The PearlStretford CanteenStow
Independent Food Producer of the Year
WINNER: Pollen Bakery
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Long Boi’s Bakehouse, Holy Grain Sourdough, Littlewoods Butchers, Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Cuisine, Wong Wong Bakery, Half Dozen Other, Mayya Bakery
Neighbourhood Venue of the Year
WINNER: Stretford Canteen
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SHORTLISTED VENUES: Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop, The Pearl, Lupo, Cantaloupe, Tawny Stores, The Perfect Match, Gladstone Barber and Bistro
Pub or Beer Bar of the Year
WINNER: The Marble Arch
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Victoria Tap, Runaway Brewery, City Arms, The Magnet Freehouse, Café Beermoth, North Westward Ho, Track Taproom
Great Service Award
WINNER: Maray
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Tast Catala, Atomeca, Higher Ground, Adam Reid at The French, Federal Cafe Bar, Blacklock Manchester, Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar
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Low or No Offering of the Year (new for 2025)
WINNER: Nell’s Pizza
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Cloudwater Brew Co, Dishoom, Red Light, Blinker Bar, Hinterland, Lina Stores, Speak in Code
Bar of the Year
WINNER: Speak In Code
SHORTLISTED VENUES: Stray, Schofield’s Bar, Red Light, Pray Tell, Renae, Libero, Flawd Wine
Newcomer of the Year
WINNER: Stow
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SHORTLISTED VENUES: Cantaloupe, Bangkok Diners Club, Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar, Café Continental, Winsome, Royal Nawaab Pyramid, Kung Fu Noodle
Chef of the Year
WINNER: Matt Bennett (The Pearl)
SHORTLISTED NAMES: Rosie Maguire (Higher Ground), Shaun Moffat (Winsome), Adam Reid (Adam Reid at The French), Mary-Ellen McTague (Pip), Patrick Withington (Erst), Jamie Pickles (Stow), Jack Fields (Restaurant Orme)
Restaurant of the Year
WINNER: Skof
SHORTLISTED VENUES: mana, Adam Reid At The French, Winsome, Higher Ground, Stow, Erst, Cantaloupe
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Community Food & Drink Project of the Year (sponsored by Therme)
WINNER: Platt Fields Market Garden
The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
Daisy Jackson -
17th April 2025 
