A massive new food hall is opening its doors in Manchester this weekend, with three floors packed with food from across Asia.
Hello Oriental has an Asian-inspired bakery and cafe, a Vietnamese restaurant, a Chinese supermarket, and a huge food hall serving East Asian street food.
The multi-storey ‘super-venue’ has been built beneath Symphony Park at the new Circle Square development just off Oxford Road.
It’s been inspired by dining destinations like Bang Bang Oriental in London, and 1800 in Miami.
The new supermarket at Hello Oriental. Credit: The Manc Group
The heart of Hello Oriental will be its food hall, Downtown Oriental, a vast market hall with a fast-paced open kitchen.
Here, diners will be able to feast on everything from Chinese roasts to dim sum, baos to noodles, and fried rice to seafood.
Downtown Oriental, Hello Oriental’s new food hall. Credit: The Manc Group
Downtown Oriental will also serve bubble teas, and taiyaki ice cream, a type of soft-serve presented inside an adorable fish-shaped cone.
Elsewhere, Hello Bakery will sell modern fusion bakes alongside coffees and high-grade teas.
Food at Hello Oriental. Credit: The Manc Group
On a purpose-built mezzanine level, Vietnamese restaurant Rice Paper Pho will serve traditional dishes like pho, summer rolls and salads, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
A UK-first Hello Oriental supermarket will open soon, selling products, produce and ingredients from East Asia.
Azim Kourah, director of Hello Oriental, added: “It’s been a long time in the making but we are thrilled to be opening our doors to Manchester.
Credit: The Manc Group
“From Saturday onwards, our brand-new concept will be spicing up Manchester’s food scene, bringing three floors of incredible flavour, excitement and atmosphere to the city.”
Bradley Topps, commercial director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Hello Oriental is going to be a real destination and cornerstone for Circle Square – there’s nothing else like this in the Northwest.
“Spread across three floors, there’s a space for every occasion, whether you’re looking for evening food, drinks and music, tea and cake, or to stock up on supplies from the specialist supermarket.
“The variety is unrivalled, the complex is incredibly cool, and it’s going to be bursting with atmosphere at all times of day.”
Hello Oriental joins TRIB3, a specialist high-intensity fitness studio, with a host of additional food, drink and entertainment also due to launch at Circle Square later this year.
Hello Oriental’s flagship food hall will open on Saturday 12 February and will be open daily from 10am to 11pm.
Nostalgic ready-to-drink Breezer makes UK return after a decade
Daisy Jackson
An iconic ready-to-drink favourite has launched back into the UK – oh yes, Breezer is back.
First launched in the 1990s, Breezers – then pitched as an ‘alcopop’ – were a staple on dancefloors and at barbecues right across the UK.
And now Bacardi has decided to bring these delicious, fruity, easy-drinking bottles back to British shores.
There are three new flavours to try as Breezers return to your fridges – Zesty Orange, Zingy Lime, and Crisp Watermelon.
And Breezer launched back into Manchester last night with a suitably memorable party, turning a spot in the Northern Quarter into a corner shop.
The ‘local Cornerbop’ was stacked with your usual essentials, plus shelf after shelf of these colourful glass ready-to-drink bottles.
Inside the Breezer ‘Cornerbop’ corner shop in ManchesterBreezer is back, in three new flavours
The Breezer relaunch party saw Tarsza and Rennie Peters spinning nostalgic anthems with a modern twist at a pop-up party in a corner shop.
Steve Young, business unit director for Bacardi in the UK & Ireland, said: “We know there is a lot of love for Breezer in the UK, and we are confident a new generation of consumers will fall in love with the new Breezer.
“RTDs are booming, however, the Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages category could do with a bit more excitement. By bringing back Breezer we’re definitely putting the fruity taste into FAB.”
The iconic ready-to-drink classic is back – and better than ever.
Drinks prices for Manchester Oasis gigs announced – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised
Daisy Jackson
The prices of drinks at Heaton Park for the five huge Manchester Oasis shows have been released in advance.
With the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage in their hometown for the first time this weekend (and then again next week), it’s a huge moment for our city.
Those lucky enough to snag tickets have already forked out a small fortune to witness this moment in history (still scarred from the dynamic pricing debacle).
And most of us were probably bracing to spend another small fortune on beers at the Oasis Manchester gigs.
But you might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.
It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.
Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.
Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.
Heaton Park will also be the home of the ‘largest beer garden’ and the longest bars in the city for the Oasis reunion.
With a major heatwave predicted for the first shows, fans are being encouraged to stay hydrated (on WATER, not beer, please).
Ticket-holders will be allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water up to 500ml in with you, but it must be collapsible plastic.
Solid plastic and metal containers will be rejected on safety grounds.
There’s a free water point on site where you can fill up your bottles again.
Oasis will perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Daisy Jackson -
11th February 2022 
