Business

Manchester publisher GGRecon breaks ground by becoming first esports publication on Apple News

"This is a huge win for esports, but also for the north of England."

The Manc The Manc - 23rd June 2021

Manchester-based online publisher GGRecon has become the first esports publication to appear on Apple News. 

This groundbreaking achievement comes after the launch of the publisher’s brand-new website earlier this month – which had been in development for over a year.

Working with web design company Degree53 – also based in Manchester – GGRecon created a bespoke and innovative website that serves its gaming and esports audience in a way that is unique in the industry.

Apple News has 85 million monthly active users, as well as being the number one news app in the world, and so this opens up GGRecon’s content, and high-quality esports content in general, to a whole new potential audience. 

Unfamiliar with GGRecon?

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The company was founded in December 2019, with a heavy focus on esports.

Proud to be an esports company based in the north of England, where esports is typically underrepresented, GGRecon was founded in conjunction with Fred Done – the owner and businessman behind companies such as Betfred and Sharp Gaming – and covers titles such as VALORANT, CS:GO, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and many others.

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Done’s connection to Manchester is well-known, and GGRecon continues that legacy by flying the flag for esports in the north.

“We’re thrilled to be the first esports publisher on Apple News.” said Chris Young, Managing Director at GGRecon.

“This is a huge win for esports, but also for the north of England.

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GGRecon was founded in December 2019, with a heavy focus on esports / Credit: GGRecon

“Esports is typically seen as predominately a US-based scene, however we are proving that you don’t have to be in America to make an impact.

“We will continue to serve our loyal fanbase with the content that they have grown to expect from us, and hope to continually delight them with more UX-focused changes to best serve their interests.”

You can find more about GGRecon here.

Featured Image – GGRecon

Business

Beloved local bakery shares ‘depressing’ cost of ingredients in brutally transparent statement

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme

A popular local bakery has justified a small price hike on its bakes by sharing the staggering jump in the price of basic ingredients.

In a refreshingly honest and transparent statement, Long Boi’s Bakehouse in Levenshulme informed customers that there have been price increases of up to 255% on essentials like flour, butter and chocolate.

They pleaded for understanding from their customers and said that running a business is ‘hella crazy’ right now.

The bakery, which was recently named one of the best in the UK by the Good Food Guide, has been inundated with similar comments from other bakeries which make you wonder how any independent is surviving at the moment.

Long Boi’s chose to address the small rise in their prices directly to their customers, with a ‘quite frankly depressing AF read’.

They shared real examples of price increases, including a 122% price jump on butter (from £39 to £86.95); a 232% increase on the price of dark chocolate (from £56.24 to £186.67); and a mind-blowing hike of 255% on cheddar cheese (£17.08 to £60.48).

Even the price of flour – obviously, an essential ingredient for any bakery – has gone up from £10.20 to £25.60, a 151% increase.

Those prices all show how rapidly costs have risen in the five years since the Covid pandemic and subsequent economic turmoil.

Long Boi’s Bakehouse said they ‘can’t believe chocolate was ever that cheap’ in hindsight, and stressed that there are also financial issues around energy prices, and ensuring that their nine staff members are paid above Living Wage.

Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme
Long Boi's Bakehouse in Levenshulme
Long Boi’s Bakehouse in Levenshulme. Credit: The Manc Group

Long Boi’s Bakehouse said: “A few of the eagle eyed amongst you might’ve noticed that we upped all of our prices in the bakery as of Tuesday, and just wanted to do a little post to a) publicly acknowledge that (don’t want you all to think we’re being sneaky) & b) explain why.

“Tbh I don’t think it’ll be news to any of you that the cost of everything has gone WILD, but I thought I’d write up some actual examples of the changes in ingredient prices since we opened – swipe for quite frankly a depressing AF read.

“I actually can’t believe chocolate was ever that cheap, what a time to be alive!!! BASICALLY, combine this with soaring energy prices, wanting to use only the best stuff in our bakes, and making sure NINE 💖 lovely staff are paid above Living Wage as standard (maybe the most important bit!!) – means that raising our prices slightly was the only way to keep on top of this balancing act.

“Really hope you can all understand! Running a business is hella crazy right now, big love to all our fellow independents going THROUGH it.”

One customer replied: “Happy to pay the extra but shocked for you at the increases your side – very useful post to see how things are changing and how this affects small businesses.”

Another wrote: “Thanks for putting this together for customers to see! It’s a bit mad init!!!”

There are similar stories from struggling independents right across the country who have lent their voices to Long Boi’s statement.

Albie’s, a popular coffee shop over in Sheffield, said: “We actually thought we were going mad when I said butter used to be under £40 – I had to check old price lists to make sure I in fact wasn’t going bonkers!!

“Hard to imagine how we’ve even come through these last 5 years. Lots of flat whites. Love the transparency. The info in black and white really hits home even for those of us that are paying it too!”

And Big Bear Bakery up in Glasgow wrote: “Never seen trading conditions like this been baking for 18 years and in hospitality for 30. The latest NI contributions are the final nail!”

Coosh in Nottignham commented: “The increase in chocolate prices was eye watering.”

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Did you have any idea just how expensive ingredients have become? If only the bigger brands would be as transparent as Long Boi’s Bakehouse.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Business

One of Manchester’s best-loved independent cafes is coming to Bolton

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester's Cotton Cafe coming to Farnworth Green in Bolton

A much-loved independent Manchester cafe is heading out of the city centre for the first time as they plan to open a brand new premises over in Bolton.

Bolton as a town and wider borough has no shortage of cosy little caffs, but the addition of this latest place for a brew, butty and a bake is sure to be an instant hit just as it was in Ancoats.

To call Cafe Cotton a cult favourite would be grossly understating things at this point: the Blossom St spot tucked into Hallé St Peter’s is not only a beautiful space inside but looks out onto Manchester’s trendy and ever-bustling Cutting Room Square, making it a great place to sit with a coffee.

With that in mind, as they prepare to open their third location further out towards Lancashire, Boltonians have every reason to be very excited.

cafe cotton bolton
cotton ancoats
Cafe Cotton is coming to a town in Bolton. (Credit: The Manc Group)

The indie success story began way back in 2013, if you can believe that, serving sandwiches, sweet treats and more to the Manc masses.

Oh yeah, they also do bloody brilliant coffee that’s considered some of the best in the city.

Opening another venue on the ground floor of Neptune Mill in neighbouring Piccadilly East just this past January, the expansion of the brand has been a relatively steady one despite more than a decade of loyal patrons and new customers becoming each year.

However, good things come to those who wait, as we’re sure the Bolton natives will vouch for when the next Cafe Cotton opens up in Farnworth Green.

The opening date might still be up in the air, but here’s a little glimpse at the kind of goodness they can expect to enjoy:

The new addition is part of the overall Farnworth regeneration project, which is being headed up by investors Capital and Centric, who are famously responsible for numerous new developments in and around Manchester in recent years. Over £20 million has been set aside for the wider plans.

Cotton Cafe’s founder, Chris Griffith, said of the soon-to-open site: “We’ve been on an amazing journey growing Cotton, and we’re incredibly grateful for the loyal following we’ve cultivated. Now, Farnworth Green feels like the perfect next step.

“This isn’t just about opening another café; it’s about investing in a community. The bakery is a big move for us too, allowing us to craft everything from scratch and supply all our locations with freshly made goods.

“We’re also buzzing to team up with Bolton Council to offer apprenticeships, helping young people take their first step into the industry.” The authority itself is actually looking for a project lead as we speak.

Is this the start of a big period of change for Bolton?

Sneak peak inside swanky new homes ready to rent in an up-and-coming Greater Manchester town

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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