A brand new Aberdeen Angus burger restaurant with a church-themed menu is moving into Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton this May.
Setting up shop at the former site of ASK Italian in the Horwich shopping centre, The Confessional has confirmed it will officially welcome its first customers from May 17.
Takeaway will be available from Thursday (April 29).
Owned by the Burger Trading Group, The Confessional borrows heavily from the religious lexicon for its branding – with a slogan inviting customers to ‘join the congregation’ whilst burger names range from ‘The Deacon’ to ‘The Damnation’.
The restaurant puts its 6oz beef burgers (which come loaded with different toppings from chorizo to pulled pork) front and centre, but its expansive menu also features wings, pizza, hot dogs, poutine, garlic bread and mac & cheese.
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A variety of veggie burgers are also up for grabs – including mushroom, beetroot and spicy bean.
There’s even a range of ‘Biblical Salads’ for those who want to get their greens.
— The Confessional – Burger Trading Group (@TheConfessiona4) April 23, 2021
The upcoming Bolton restaurant is set to become the second Confessional venue to open in the UK – hot on the heels of the ‘New York Vangarde Store’ which launched at Vangarde Shopping Park in York last week (April 21).
In celebration of the launch, The Confessional has also posted ‘25% off’ deal for customers that spend £25 or more on takeaway on Bank Holiday Sunday or Monday.
Robert Hallworth, manager of Middlebrook Retail Park, stated: “We are delighted to welcome The Confessional to our lineup.
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“They have a varied and great value menu which compliments the other restaurants on site and further strengthens our restaurant offer.”
Keep up-to-date with new local restaurant openings via The Manc Eats.
Featured image: @TheConfessiona4 / Twitter
Bolton
Bolton man, 22, jailed after his ‘dangerous driving’ kills motorbike rider just days before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A man from Bolton has been sentenced to more than a decade in jail after causing death by dangerous driving.
Cormac Sale, 22-years-old of Ina Avenue in Bolton, has been sentenced at Bolton Crown Court after pleading guilty to causing death by dangerous driving following a collision between a car and motorbike in Horwich, which saw another young man lose his life just days before Christmas (Saturday 14 December 2024).
At around 9:40pm that evening, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to an incident on Chorley Old Road in Bolton.
When they arrived, they found that a Skoda Fabia – belonging to Sale – had collided with a motorbike. Spencer Rothwell-Poole, also 22 and from Horwich, was riding the motorbike at the time and sadly died at the scene.
Following Sale’s arrest at the scene, further testing was conducted and he was found to be almost 10 times over the legal limit for ketamine whilst driving when the incident occurred.
Investigations by GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit led to ‘significant evidence’ being obtained of Sale ‘driving erratically’ throughout the evening, as spotted by multiple other drivers and CCTV footage, and he was also driving on the opposite side of the road when the collision took place.
Sale has been sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison, as well as being banned from driving for 12 years.
“This sentencing reflects the devastating consequences of choosing to drive recklessly and whilst under the influence,” commented Detective Constable James Maskrey, who is GMP’s Roads Police Lead Investigator.
“Nothing can undo the loss suffered by Spencer’s family, but it is our hope that this outcome offers some measure of justice.
“When someone gets behind the wheel under the influence of ketamine, they have no control of their own judgement or body, and even a moment where drivers are dissociated or unaware on the road can be fatal.
“This case is a stark reminder that dangerous driving destroys lives, and I want to reassure the public that our officers remain absolutely committed to tackling dangerous driving and removing those who pose a risk to our roads.”
Featured Image – GMP
Bolton
Man jailed after violent machete attack in Bolton left victim ‘seriously injured’
Emily Sergeant
A man has been jailed after carrying out a ‘violent’ machete attack in Bolton that left another man seriously injured.
Dale Dean appeared at Manchester Crown Court on last Friday (20 February 2026) after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a bladed article, and affray, and was subsequently sentenced to six years behind bars.
The 27-year-old from Manchester was found to be carrying a machete ‘without lawful reason’.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, back on Saturday 5 April 2025, it received reports of a man holding a machete in a shop on Kentmere Road, in the Breightmet area of Bolton, and when officers attended the scene at around 7:50pm, they were told Dean was seen attacking another man in front of staff and members of the public.
The machete was used to attack the victim in the shop, who suffered several serious injuries – including to his head and shoulder.
Dean also caused ‘extensive damage’ to the shop and fled the scene.
In the aftermath of the attack, the victim was said to have struggled ‘to walk out on the street’ and had difficulty sleeping due to the pain and location of his injuries, but he has since recovered well from the attack overall.
On top of the six years in prison, the court imposed an additional 20‑month extended licence period upon Dean’s release due to the seriousness of the offence and the danger he poses to the public.
“This was a shocking and violent incident that left the victim with serious injuries and caused fear within the community,” commented Detective Constable Jordan Brown, of Bolton’s Criminal Investigation Department, following the sentencing at the end of last week.
“Dean’s actions were deliberate, dangerous, and showed a blatant disregard for the safety of others.
“[He] used or threatened unlawful violence, causing significant fear to those nearby, and was found to be carrying a machete without lawful reason.
“We welcome today’s sentence, which reflects the gravity of the offences. Our officers will continue to take decisive action against those who carry weapons and commit violent offences on our streets.”
The Manc -
29th April 2021 
