Sale has been given something of a transformation in recent months, with a bevy of new food and drink operators moving into the Trafford suburb.
From a new Green’s opening from celebrity TV chef Simon Rimmer, to the arrival of city-wide favourites Rudy’s and Sugo Pasta Kitchen at the newly-developed Stanley Square, there’s never been a better time to go and eat there.
The once-brutalist 60s shopping centre has been transformed beyond recognition – tempting local residents to stay in their local area, rather than hawking off to Altrincham or into town.
What’s more, the square’s regeneration is redirecting attention to some of Sale’s long-standing local favourites – such as The Fat Loaf, which has just won a big award, and Michelin-recommended restaurant The Perfect Match.
But it’s not all about the food. There’s also some great retail to be discovered here, as well as great walks, cultural activities and more.
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Here’s our guide to this foodie neighbourhood on the rise.
Food and drink
Image: The Manc Eats
GrapefruitCoffee – Opened by the team behind record, zine and live show outfit Comfortable On A Tightrope back in 2019, this cute little cafe next to the tram stop serves up great coffee and freshly-baked goodies, ranging from gingerbread men to chiffon cake with grapefruit Turkish delight, mascarpone cream and grapefruit marzipan.
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Pizza Ammore Napoli – As the name suggests, Pizza Ammore is all about the Napoli-style of cooking, promising a thin base, charred crust and simple but flavourful ingredients.
Cowtown Grill – Cowtown Grill saw huge success in lockdown as one of the few restaurants in the area to stay open for takeaway. Its traditional Canadian poutine, burgers and steaks have proven a hit with locals. Cowtown also claims to be the first restaurant in the UK to serve the national Canadian dish of chips, cheese curds and gravy.
Greens – A fixture in the south Manchester suburb for over three decades, Greens vegetarian restaurant was a trailblazer in its time – and remains so today, as the oldest surviving veggie restaurant in Manchester. Its owners have just opened a second site in Sale.
The Fat Loaf – The winner of the 2022 Restaurant of the Year – North West category at the Food Awards England, this family-friendly eatery is a beloved local gem putting a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. With an open kitchen and al fresco dining in the summer, it serves a light tapas menu, alongside an a la carte feature=ing a white haggis scotch egg and grilled king prawns with nduja and focaccia.
Petisco – Opened by four friends who’ve all known each other since childhood, newcomer Petisco more than holds its own against Stanley Squares’ more established new residents. Here you’ll find all the tapas regulars, alongside some surprise hero dishes.
Petisco more than holds its own against Stanley Squares’ more established new residents. / Image: The Manc Eats
The Perfect Match – A Michelin Guide recommended restaurant, it’s described as a “simple, honest little bistro […] creating tasty, well-crafted dishes from across Europe”.
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Dutch Courage – This craft beer bar in Stanely Square can also be relied on for great cocktails, with outside terrace seating making it perfect for sunnier days.
Draft – Another neighbourhood craft beer bar, at Draft you’ll find a regularly changing menu featuring locally-brewed beers and lagers alongside those from further afield.
Sugo Pasta Kitchen – First opened in Altrincham in 2015, this southern Italian pasta kitchen is known for its Pugliese-style handmade pasta dishes, tiramisu, wine list and thoughtfully-created starters. New to Sale, it is the restaurant groups third Greater Manchester site.
Image: Hops and Boogie
Hops and Boogie – A new bottle shop, tap room and record store in the heart of Sale’s newly rejuvenated Stanely Square. Head down to find booze and beats from around the world.
Sale Food Hall – With a bevy of rotating food traders to be discovered inside, Sale Food Hall currently boasts delicacies from boozy ice cream parlour A Few Scoops, Chinese street food from Dim Sum Su, and Ethiopian cuisine from House of Habesha. From the team behind General Stores, you’ll also find a great convenience store and coffee shop inside.
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Roti – This Indian-Scottish fusion restaurant is unlike anything else in Manchester, with an eclectic menu featuring a roti ‘chip butty’ made with marinated chickpea chips and curried aloo, Haggis pakoras and an Indian twist on the classic Scotch Egg.
Rudy’s – Manchester’s most beloved Neapolitan pizzeria has recently landed in Sale, bringing its award-winning pies with it. Listed in the world’s top 20 pizzerias more than once, it’s a must-visit – and it’s surprisingly cheap, too.
The Perfect Match in Sale is a must-visit according to the Michelin Guide. / Image: The Perfect Match
Cork of the North – This small bar boasts a heated ‘wine garden’ and offers a changing daily selection of tipples by the glass. Its kitchen, meanwhile, serves complementary small plates and various styles of cheese.
Borello – A traditional Italian restaurant in Sale with a huge menu, Borello’s offering spans bruschetta and antipasti, classic pasta favourites like carbonara, bolognese, lasagne, as well as pizzas, mains like chicken milanese, steaks, salmon and more.
Off The Hook – This popular fish and chip shop began life as a pop-up before coming a Sale mainstay. Head down for all your chippy tea favourites, alongside homemade pies, pakora-style sweetcorn and halloumi fritters, and locally-made Grandad’s Sausages.
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Shopping
Image: The Manc Group
Maker’s Market – Popping up in Sale on the third Sunday each month, the Maker’s Market is a great place to find gems from local traders in Mancheser – ranging from foodie goodies to plants, homeware, records and more.
Emporium M33 – Home to 37 local independent businesses, Emporium M33 is a true hidden gem. Set across three storeys, it’s drawn a number of comparisons to Affleck’s Palace with traders selling everything from fashion items ad antiques to candles, cakes, buttons, jewellery, pet accessories, bags and art.
Ashby’s Greengrocer – Opened in February 2022, Ashby’s is a new groceries store opened with the mission of bringing back the ‘traditional greengrocer’. Selling a range of organic, fresh produce, this is the place to go for all your fruit and veg.
Idaho – First opened in Altrincham, this charming little shop houses the very best indie brands from all over the globe – from homeware to cards and more.
Nightlife and hotels
Image: Booking.com
As a densely residential suburb of Greater Manchester, Sale’s nightlife tends to wrap up rather promptly around 11pm.
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It does boast a number of popular bars, with locals recommending The Steamhouse, The Brooklands Tap, and Jackon’s Boat down the road in Stretford as all being good for a night out.
Alternatively, you can always hop on the tram and be in the city centre in under 20 minutes.
As for hotels, on the budget end, you’re looking at either a Travelodge or Premier Inn, whilst on the slightly more premium side of things, there is The Belmore – a charming real ale pub with rooms upstairs and a cracking Sunday roast.
Culture
The canal in Sale, with the Waterside Arts Centre on the left. Credit: Geograph
Sale’s cultural hub is right in the town centre – the Waterside arts centre.
This modern complex combines the Robert Bolt theatre, the Lauriston Gallery, a library, studios and workspaces.
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Throughout the year, it hosts a massive range of dance, theatre and comedy suitable for all ages and interests, with something to do just about every day of the year.
The waterside location of Sale is also a massive draw for locals and visitors alike.
Walkden Gardens in Sale. Credit: Geograph
You can rent kayaks to cruise along the canal, or do the same over in Sale Water Park, with the added option of stand-up paddleboarding.
Sale Water Park is home to one of the prettiest park runs in the region, which loops along the River Mersey too.
Then there’s Walkden Gardens, a stunning bit of green space featuring an arch of wisteria, a Japanese Garden, and a theatre lawn.
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Property
A mansion for sale in Sale. Credit: Rightmove
Sale is definitely on the pricier side of the scale in Greater Manchester, though it pales in comparison to some other parts of Trafford.
According to the Land Registry, the average house price around here is £346,324, and majority of homes sold were semi-detached properties.
Terraced houses average a bit cheaper at £289,340 and if you can find a flat in Sale, the average for those is £185,196.
Sale is helpfully on the Metrolink line, with Altrincham-bound trams taking about 15 minutes to get there from the city centre.
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There are buses too, but the tram really is the quickest way to get around from here.
Cyclists can take advantage of the traffic-free canal towpath that goes all the way to town, passing Old Trafford.
Sale is also one of those suburbs that’s right next to the M60, so drivers can get on the ring road in mere minutes.
Feature image – The Manc Group / Hops and Boogie
Boroughs
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 29 May – 4 June 2023
Emily Sergeant
We’re saying goodbye to May, and giving a big Greater Manchester welcome to June this week.
Summer is (pretty much) here now, and not only does this week start off with yet another bank holiday, but schools are also for half term across the region, so that means we’ve got an events calendar thats jam-packed full of festivals, family-friendly activities, Spring fairs, museum exhibitions, immersive experiences, and so much more.
Once again, we’ve cherry-picked a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide, so here’s our top picks.
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The Manchester Flower Festival 2023
Manchester City Centre
Monday 29 May
The Manchester Flower Festival / Credit: The Manc Group & CityCo
Manchester has become one of the most picturesque places in the UK as the city is all dressed up in celebration of the annual Flower Festival.
Back by popular demand for its fifth year, the four-day festival – which is often dubbed the “most Instagramable event of the year” – has seen Manchester bloom to life and draped from head to toe in magnificent floral displays, with plants and flowers are covering landmark buildings, shop windows, doorways, balconies, statues, fountains, and more right across the city centre.
And today is your last day to catch all the colour.
Stephen Hawking at Work / Credit: Science Museum Group
Mancs now now get up close to rare personal items of Stephen Hawking’s in a new exhibition that’s now opened down at the Science and Industry Museum.
Stephen Hawking at Work explores the remarkable life of a world-renowned scientist, who passed away in 2018 – with significant objects from his office giving an insight into his life as a scientist, science communicator, and as a person who lived with motor neurone disease.
Highlights include a rare copy of his PhD thesis, and a wager he made with his peers about whether things that fall into a black hole are lost forever, while there’s also a ‘time traveller’ party invitation that he sent to his peers after the party had taken place, to prove that time travel to the past is impossible.
Totally Jurassic / Credit: Totally Roarsome – North West
A new Jurassic-themed trail has opened in Greater Manchester, and you can go back in time to when “dinosaurs ruled Earth”.
Described as being “an immersive dino experience” where families can walk among huge static dinosaur models, all while learning lots of fun facts and snapping photos along the way, Totally Jurassic has now opened in Walkden town centre, and tickets are available from as little as £5 per person.
It’s the latest pop-up family attraction by Totally Roarsome – which is one of the North West’s best-loved immersive events companies.
Keen to escape the usual indoor activities and taking your family on a virtual adventure this half term instead? Fancy saving a few pennies while you’re at it too?
Manchester’s largest virtual reality arcade, DNA VR – which is suitable for thrill-seekers aged seven and over – is offering an extra 10% off all week, and there’s a gaming experience for everyone to get stuck into, with both arcade and longer escape-style challenges across a variety of themes available to choose from.
The critically-acclaimed venue perfect alternative day out in the city, and you can grab yourself 10% off with the code DNAVR10 when you book tickets here.
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Half Term at the Science and Industry Museum
Manchester City Centre
Monday 29 May – Sunday 4 June
Half Term at the Science and Industry Museum / Credit: Science Museum Group
Curious Mancs can explore brand-new science displays, immersive exhibitions, decades of gaming, and more this May half term and beyond.
The Science and Industry Museum is hosting a half term “packed full of digital discovery” – with the unveiling of hotly-anticipated new display dedicated, an extension to one of its most successful world-first exhibitions, the chance to explore the world of gaming, discover groundbreaking ideas that “change the world”, and so much more.
It’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon immersed in science, look forward to the future of tech, or a journey back though Manchester’s industrial past.
Planet Shark: Predator or Prey / Credit: Chester Zoo
The world’s most innovative ‘out of water’ shark experience has now arrived at Cheater Zoo.
Visitors heading to the UK’s largest charity zoo will be some of the first in the country to get to make the most of the brand-new immersive exhibition known as Planet Shark: Predator or Prey – which aims to highlight “the wonder of sharks”.
Working with global creative company, Grande Experiences, the new exhibition at the zoo features an impressive 360-degree underwater digital display, as well as life-sized shark models.
A giant outdoor funfair full of vintage fairground rides and a circus is back at the Trafford Centre.
After several hugely-successful runs in both 2021 and 2022, the UK’s third largest shopping centre’s outdoor space has “sprung to life” once again, and is back with a whole host of thrilling rides, a glittering circus, and lots of delicious treats for the whole family to enjoy.
Spring Escape has popped up outside the Great Hall, and tickets are now available to buy for the wide range of events on offer.
A huge circus tent has been installed onto the roof of Depot Mayfield in Manchester, as the world-leading cabaret La Clique is in town.
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The trailblazing show is visiting the city for a limited six-week run, featuring the best circus and cabaret acts in the world.
Presented by live entertainment company Underbelly, La Clique is wowing audiences with its genre-defining cabaret show, and for its Manchester stint, performers will include tension strap artist LJ Marles, singer Chastity Belt, aerial contortion artist Miranda Menzies, comedy and stunt performer Sam Goodburn, and more artists to be announced.
The Wizarding Adventure / Credit: East Lancashire Railway
One of the East Lancashire Railway’s (ELR) fan-favourite events is back again this week, and it’s giving families the chance to go on a ‘wizarding adventure’ and ride a Harry Potter-themed train through Greater Manchester.
Aspiring witches and wizards can gather at the ELR for a day of sharing spells and magic-themed fun.
This interactive adventure will see visitors, both young and old, enjoy a range of performances from colourful characters and magical creatures, all before boarding the ‘Wizard Express’ for a two-hour round trip journey through the Irwell Valley of wonders.
Cheshire Oaks is staying up past its bed time for one night only this week, so late-night shoppers can head on down and fill up their baskets with some amazing deals.
On Thursday 1 June, over 50 brands at the Designer Outlet will be taking 20% off their original price tags, with some brands like All Saints and Puma being generous enough to raise it to 30% off.
You’ll get to discover on-trend seasonal essentials, like designer sunglasses, the latest summer dresses, and your go-to holiday essentials, or treat yourself to a timeless investment piece from the latest designer fashion lines at Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and more.
And if you can’t wait or want to get ahead of the line, McArthurGlen members will actually get 24 hour early access.
Keen to watch the Manchester derby FA Cup final in Manchester city centre this weekend?
The first-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final in the history of the competition is happening this weekend, and while not everyone is able to be there at Wembley for the momentous occasion, it’s still a massive day for the city.
Fans will be out in full force to watch the big fixture as Manchester United face Manchester City on Saturday 3 June at 3pm.
Town is going to be absolutely buzzing with big game atmosphere, not to mention everyone else out enjoying a weekend full of sun, so if you are wanting to go out and watch it in the pub, it’s worth having an idea of where you’re going rather than just rocking up half an hour before kick-off.
Read our round-up of where to watch the FA Cup final in Manchester city centre here.
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We Invented The Weekend 2023
MediaCity & Salford Quays
Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 June
We Invented The Weekend 2023 / Credit: WETW
We Invented the Weekend is back for 2023.
After a successful first outing last year, the two-day bold and imaginative culture-led festival is back by popular demand, and is set to take over both MediaCity and Salford Quays this Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 June Salford with a jam-packed lineup of events so festivalgoers of all ages can get involved in a wide range of activities for FREE.
Situated where the weekend was originally invented in Greater Manchester back in 1843, the festival celebrates the differences in how people spend their leisure time, free time, quality time, and me-time.
Some of the UK’s “most exciting” comedians are bringing their shows to a new mini comedy festival in Manchester city centre this week.
Taking over Manchester’s home of cult cinema, video games, and “cool nerdy events”, Cultplex – which is tucked away within the award-winning venue GRUB in Cheetham Hill – for one-day only this Saturday, A Lovely Day is a brand-new mini comedy festival that’s set to bring all the laughs.
A handful of the funniest and upcoming names on the comedy circuit will take to the stage to perform their new work-in-progress shows.
Featured Image – CityCo | We Invented The Weekend | ELR
Boroughs
Britain’s ‘biggest ever’ bus driver recruitment campaign launches in Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A massive bus driver recruitment campaign has been launched across Greater Manchester to get ready for the Bee Network.
Only a matter of weeks after the first bright yellow Bee Network buses started hitting streets across the region, with more and more being spotted out and about by locals as the days go on, Go North West has today kicked-off Britain’s biggest-ever recruitment campaign for bus drivers ready for the Greater Manchester public transport service to officially launch later this year.
And you might recognise it’s taken inspiration from a certain 80s cult-classic action film for it.
With the Bee Network set to be rolled-out in September, the transport company – which was selected by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) in late 2022 as the winner of its first two bus contracts – has big plans to hire up to 300 new drivers for its ‘Elite Bus Driver Academy’.
Themed as ‘Be an Elite Driver’, with Maverick and the rest Top Gun team serving as some worthy inspiration, the recruitment campaign sees existing Go North West bus drivers all dressed up in fighter pilot-style uniforms in an attempt to “bring to life the prestige of being a driver” and the different types of careers on offer for people.
Britain’s ‘biggest ever’ bus driver recruitment campaign launches in Greater Manchester / Credit: Go North West
The recruitment campaign encourages those interested to become “the best of the best”, to find the thing that “makes them awesome”, and to brace themselves for a career with “wheels…that you’ll steer”.
Open both to existing bus driver licence holders and to those who have never sat behind the wheel of a bus before, applicants will undertake a six-week intensive training programme, and will operate routes across Bolton and Wigan – which are the first two areas to be franchised under TfGM and Mayor Andy Burnham’s new integrated London-style vision for local buses.
Bus driver jobs include 20 days’ annual holiday, generous pensions, and pay rates that quickly increase with experience.
Successful applicants will get to earn themselves upwards of £28,000 per year.
Not only that, but Go North West is also going to be offering longer-term apprenticeships that combine studying with hands-on driving to allow people to “earn while they learn”.
Having quadrupled the size of its training team in anticipation of an influx of new recruits, Go North West says it’s “excited” for this new chapter for bus travel in the region.
Speaking on the recruitment campaign’s launch, Nigel Featham – Managing Director of Go North West – said the company is “very proud” to be delivering these bus services for Greater Manchester, adding: “This is a groundbreaking recruitment campaign to match the huge scale of change that we’ll be helping to deliver in Greater Manchester’s public transport.”
“We’ve already had lots of interest in driving the new Bee Network buses and we’re expecting thousands of applications.”
What the Bee Network buses will look like across Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM
Once the new contracts are underway, Go North West will operate more than 500 buses from Bolton and Wigan, as well as from its existing Queen’s Road depot in central Manchester – with the company’s facility in Bolton being the largest UK bus depot outside London.