For several years, Prestwich has revelled in its reputation as the ‘next place to be’ in Greater Manchester. Estate agents have spent the better part of a decade branding the area as the most exciting part of the region, urging homebuyers to get in on the ground floor and join the up-and-coming community in the north.
It seems they might have been onto something. Head into Bury today, and there’s evidence to suggest that Prestwich is flourishing in a way that the experts were anticipating.
The town enjoyed a £2m high street makeover in 2017, with trendy bars and restaurants pitching up in the area before the local council acquired Longfield Shopping Centre as part of some big redevelopment plans.
But for all the colourful new neighbours moving in over the past couple of years – brunch spots, lively bars, intriguing restaurants – there’s been one thing Prestwich still didn’t have: A place that served genuinely authentic South American cuisine.
That’s where four locals saw an opportunity – and Gorge was born.
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Gorge has been launched in Prestwich / Image: Gorge
Drawing on the culinary knowledge of his Brazilian partner, Steve Vickerstaff and his wife Luciana teamed up with another couple to launch Gorge – an authentic Latin restaurant that would serve as an exotic new piece in Prestwich’s crystallising international jigsaw.
Battling against a series of setbacks enforced by rolling lockdowns, the quartet have realised their ambition and opened a stylish eatery on Bury New Road where diners can tuck into bonafide Brazilian food in rustic surroundings of bare brick, polished wood and artwork.
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Immersing guests in what the restaurant calls a “true South American dining experience,” Gorge presents popular staple dishes from the continent such as Picanha na Chapa, Salgadinhos, Vegeterian Moqueca & Pao de queijo.
The restaurant specialises in Latin American cuisine / Image: Gorge
And of course, there’s a real medley of meat dishes to try – all supplemented by a glorious rainbow-like array of cooked vegetables.
Skilled mixologists have also whirled up some cocktail creations to pair with the meals – such as the Caipicoco, Espresso Latini & the Floresta Tropical, alongside an array of classics.
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“We’re planning to offer something Prestwich has never had before – something new and exciting with a really nice vibe,” says founder Steve.
“But at the same time, Gorge will be independent and family-owned – fitting right in with the vibe of the community.
“We’ve fully rewired the venue from top to bottom. Everything’s been designed and built from scratch.”
Gorge is the first restaurant of its kind on Prestwich high street / Image: Gorge
Now the hurdles have been cleared and the doors are finally open, Gorge’s focus is on delivering a new experience for the increasingly multicultural Prestwich community – complementing the food with a Latin soundtrack.
The Gorge team added: “It’s been a long road for us as a business due to COVID, however, to finally be open and working on a dream that started in a household kitchen in Brazil is truly amazing.
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“We’ve been given such a warm reception by the public so far, and we are super excited about our future.”
It’s been a long wait. But a local taste of Latin America is finally on the menu in Prestwich.
And it looks terrific.
Head over to the Gorge website to learn more and book a table.
Featured image: Gorge
Bury
Iconic Thomas the Tank Engine replica to make three visits to Greater Manchester in 2026
Emily Sergeant
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester on several occasions this year.
The Day Out With Thomas experience is said to be ‘a train ride like no other’.
After delighting families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back by popular demand in 2026, and will be making three special visits to our region.
Families will have the chance to hop onboard the replica of the cult-classic blue train character for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
The journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
The doors to Bury Transport Museum will also be open across the weekend and will be hosting loads of fun free activities.
There’ll be Thomas-themed stories, and engaging and interactive activities to make the most of, as well as amusing performances by Sodor’s mischievous station sweepers, Rusty and Dusty, who’ll be entertaining with singing, dancing, and laughter all day long.
Not only that, but you can also expect fun fair rides suitable for toddlers, face painting, balloon art, and so much more throughout the weekend.
Day Out With Thomas is returning to Greater Manchester several times in 2026 / Credit: ELR
Oh, and this year, there’s a theme to enjoy.
Day Out With Thomas will be bringing its ‘Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour’ to the ELR tracks, so get ready to rock out and move to the beat.
Thomas will be stopping at East Lancashire Railway this year on 2-4 May, 18-19 July, and 3-4 October, so there’s plenty of opportunities to see him, and tickets are now on sale – with prices starting at £14.50 for kids, and £24 for adults.
The Boots recycling scheme where you can get £5 off every shop
Thomas Melia
UK high street retailer and healthcare shop Boots has launched an innovative recycling scheme that entitles customers to £5 off their future shopping trips.
If you’re still struggling to come up with a New Year’s resolution, why not try a spot of recycling and earn some money off your next cosmetics shop while you’re at it?
Started in 2020, the Boots Recycling Scheme allows Advantage Card holders the opportunity to get money while also being more conscious about how we recycle our used health and beauty products.
Their third-party app, Recycle at Boots, uses a ‘Scan2Recycle‘ system where users can upload items from various beauty brands by taking a picture of the empty packaging before identifying its form.
This scheme takes items that can’t usually be recycled at home, such as lotion pumps, toothpaste tubes, lipstick, mascaras, travel minis, make-up palettes and more.
Once you have five items approved, head over to your nearest participating Boots store, drop off your empties and scan the QR code on the deposit box.
After you’ve followed all these steps, a voucher will appear entitling you to 500 Advantage Points when you spend £10 in-store at your nearest location, and not only do you have £5 worth of points with your name on it, you’re also an eco-warrior.
There’s even a dedicated section of the app to recycling empty medicine and vitamin blister packs, which gives customers 100 Advantage Points when they spend £5 in-store.
Brilliant.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied)
Items dropped into these deposit boxes are taken to MyGroup, a recycling and waste management service which works around the clock to help divert waste from landfill.
These empties will be washed and traditionally recycled into a material called MyBoard, a construction board material most similar to plywood, with lots of different uses.
Nearest Boots locations in Manchester running the Recycle at Boots scheme:
Manchester Market Street – 32 Market Street, M1 1PL
Salford Regent Park – Regents Park, M5 3TP
Manchester Didsbury – 736-740 Wilmslow Road, M20 2DW
The Trafford Centre – 10 Peel Avenue, M17 8BD
Trafford Retail Park – Neary Way, M41 7FN
If you’re up for getting money off your next Boots splurge while also helping recycle cosmetics containers and more, you can download the Recycle at Boots app and find your nearest HERE.
The Manc -
19th August 2021 
