Restaurant manager surprises homeless outreach group with huge stack of free pizzas
Don't Walk Past are out five nights a week helping homeless people in Manchester, but this kind gesture from a stranger really touched the volunteers' hearts,
A local homeless outreach groupwas surprised with a generous donation on Tuesday when a local restaurant manager handed them a huge stack of free pizzas.
The team was out on the streets of Manchester city centre doing their outreach work with the homeless community when Oxford Road’s Pizza Express manager Jamie clocked them through the restaurant’s windows.
After taking the time to come over and speak to the Don’t Walk Past team and find out a little bit about what they do to help people in need, he then went back to the restaurant – only to emerge once again with a stack of fifteen freshly-baked pizzas for them to hand out on the streets.
The incredibly kind gesture from a stranger made an impression on the group’s volunteers, who praised Jamie’s ‘kindness and generosity’ and added that it was ‘very much appreciated.’
The group revealed that Jamie also offered to do the same every week from now on.
ADVERTISEMENT
Volunteer Lisa Hamilton has a cafe where she accepts homeless donations. She is pictured alongside restaurant manager Jamie with the stack of pizzas. / Image: Kelly Butler / Don’t Walk Past Facebook Group
Image: Don’t Walk Past Facebook Group
Volunteer Kelly Butler later took to Facebook to praise his kind actions, writing: “Thank you so much to this lovely gent at Pizza Express on Oxford Road who so kindly made up these pizzas for us last night to be handed out, your kindness and generosity was very much appreciated.”
The charitable group, headed up by organiser Ronny English, is entirely self-funded and can regularly be seen parked up on the streets of Manchester and Salford helping the homeless in any way they can.
Relying entirely on donations and the kindness of strangers, the team of volunteers is out every night from Monday to Friday in their pink hi-vis handing out food, warm clothes, toiletries and other necessities to people who find themselves hard up and with nowhere to go.
The group also has an Amazon Wish List where those who want to support it can purchase items for local homeless people in need, such as hand and foot warmers, tubs of hot chocolate, beanies, underwear, antibacterial wipes, sleeping bags, instant coffee and more.
ADVERTISEMENT
Speaking to The Manc on the work that Don’t Walk Past do, Ronny English said: “Since the cost of living hit everyone our outreach nights are all about food n drink.
“Our scenario is we have two ladies per night cooking 50 hot dinners plus we have end of day donations from KFC & GREGGs. And still people are coming to us and being sent away hungry, there’s not enough food it’s terrible.”
Read more:Manchester bar launches £2.99 cost of living menu to ‘put two fingers up’
Inside One Eight Six as Manchester cocktail bar finally reopens two years after devastating New Year’s Eve fire
Daisy Jackson
One Eight Six, the Manchester cocktail bar that was destroyed in a blaze on New Year’s Eve, is finally ready to reopen.
The stunning subterranean bar and live music venue has been closed since the very early hours of 2022, when a fire broke out shortly after the midnight countdown.
Terrifying CCTV footage at the time showed balloons across the ceiling catching fire and around 170 people fleeing the blaze.
It’s since been confirmed that the cause of the fire was real pine Christmas trees that were fastened to the ceiling, set alight by celebratory sparklers inside the bar.
Ever since that fateful night, One Eight Six has been quiet – until now.
The popular Deansgate bar is finally ready to quite literally rise from the ashes, having undergone an extensive refurbishment.
Its interior was completely destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire, but has been reborn better than ever before.
Customers will again enter the bar through a barbershop at street level, with in incredible twisting neon light feature hanging from the ceiling.
The stage is set for more late-night live music at One Eight Six in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupCustomers enter One Eight six through a barbershop on Deansgate. Credit: The Manc GroupOne Eight Six’s original interior was destroyed in the New Year’s Eve fire. Credit: The Manc Group
Then after heading down the stairs you’ll find yourself in an art deco speakeasy, with the stage set for live music until the early hours.
Huge curved velvet booths in shades of pink and red will provide guests with a luxurious night out setting.
One Eight Six has installed opulent black marble floors and glowing light arches too – not to mention a giant ‘One Eight Six’ sign in mirrors.
Walls and pillars have been covered in even more mirrors to reflect the huge mirror ball and stage lights.
Founder Dean Mac said: “After nearly two years, we are finally allowed to be back on our feet giving the people of Manchester what they have been waiting so patiently for.
“Thank you again for sticking with us and supporting our journey this far. This new chapter of ONE EIGHT SIX will be better than ever. Same vibe. Same location. Just a whole lot sexier…”
It’s all looking pretty luxurious – just like before.
One Eight Six will officially open its doors this weekend on Deansgate, with bookings live here.
Northern Quarter resident shares amazing video of Chanel dress rehearsal for Manchester show
Daisy Jackson
A woman who lives in one of the Northern Quarter flats near the Chanel fashion show has managed to spy on the dress rehearsal – and the video is pretty wild.
The world’s most famous fashion house has chosen Manchester for its prestigious Metiers d’art show, with some A-list celebrities jetting in for the occasion.
Already spotted around Manchester have been Kristen Stewart (outside the Stock Exchange Hotel) and Kim Kardashian at Old Trafford.
The Metiers d’art show takes place at exotic locations globally every year and Chanel uses it to showcase the incredible craftsmanship behind its clothing and accessories.
This year, it’s coming to Manchester – and not to one of our many event spaces, but to the streets.
That means there’ll be celebrities and high fashion models parading about in the Northern Quarter, strutting past the likes of Smithfield Social, Bay Horse Tavern, and Cane & Grain. WILD.
That also means that, try as they might, Chanel can’t stop a few people bagging a free ticket to see the action, including those who happen to live in this part of town.
All week, as the stage has been taking shape, loud music has been blasting across the area as Chanel’s technical run-throughs took place.
Daria Figura, a local personal trainer, has posted a video of the view from her Northern Quarter apartment which really gives you an idea of the scale of the Chanel show.
She said: “For those that care, Chanel are doing a fashion show outside my flat. I mean… just watch.”
She then shoves her phone through a window and has captured a flood-lit Thomas Street, heated by patio heaters, with a row of models striding down the catwalk to Manc anthems.
Chanel has even taken over the walls in the Northern Quarter, painting a huge promotional poster on the building on the corner of High Street and Thomas Street.
It also looks like the usual beer garden seating is still in situ – maybe they are keeping it authentically Manc after all, and will have Kim Kardashian wedged in on a Bay Horse Tavern table that has ‘Lauren woz ‘ere 2019’ graffitied on it?!
Georgina Pellant -
29th June 2023 
