A new independent wine bar has opened in Spinningfields selling Manchester-made charcuterie and cheese boards, alongside a selection of carefully-chosen wines.
Called Provence, it has just opened in the business district next to the David Wyman florist – offering commuters, bar hoppers and shoppers alike somewhere new to post up for a wine (or a coffee).
With a menu of nibbles like olive tapenade, bread and oil, olives, hummus and a handful of veggie small plates, at first glance its wine list is short and no-nonsense – a succinct selection of twelve different choices, broken down into red, white, rose, orange and sparkling.
Image: The Manc Eats
The wine glass in the bottom right hand corner is actually a hidden QR code. / Image: The Manc Eats
There’s also a handful of beers from Northern Monk Brewing Co. and a short cocktail list, plus craft sodas and kombucha for those off the sauce.
But the thing that really caught our eye is the hidden QR code shaped like a bottle of wine at the bottom of the menu, that, when you scan it, pulls up a ‘by the bottle’ list – revealing a mouthwatering selection of natural wines, handpicked by in-house expert James, formerly of Kerb in Ancoats.
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Think a funky, tangy orange wine from Austria, orangey, citrusy blended roses, an Oregon-made Reisling and a gorgeous sparkling red Pet Nat.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The majority of the natural wines are available as bottle-nly, however, there is also one on the by the glass list – a tropical ‘fruit bomb’ orange wine from Italy, the Fratelli Felix, which we sample alongside a citrusy Pinot Grigio.
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Sitting at the other end of the scale, the Pinot is refreshing, with notes of jasmine and white flowers – simply perfect for those after something a little more classic.
As for the food offering, Provence offers a selection of charcuterie made right here in Manchester by Northern Cure.
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We opt for this alongside the cheese board, digging into a mixture of lomo (cured pork tenderloin), pork and beef heart salami, and a classic salami, all thinly sliced, the lomo itself almost melting in the mouth
This brand new addition also features a downstairs wine-e-oke and tasting room, which we’re sure will see a lot of action come Christmas time as parties start to pile in.
First look inside Gail’s on King Street as it opens in Manchester
Georgina Pellant
This week, the famous London bakery Gail’s opens its first ever cafe in Manchester city centre.
The build-up has been substantial, with the team first launching in the neighbouring towns of Wilmslow and Altrincham before venturing into the heart of the city.
Newly arrived on King Street, the brand new cafe spans two floors, with extensive seating beneath its bakery and more stretching out into the street with a sun trap al fresco terrace that opens daily from 11am.
Due to open tomorrow, we popped down ahead of the opening for a sneak peek to see what the team has in store for Manchester.
The new cafe’s exterior is covered in handpainted murals by local artist Amy Coney, created as part of the city’s recent flower festival, whilst inside it’s all warm, burnished wood and sage-coloured coffee appliances.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
A huge bakery counter overflowing with warm quiches, croissants, cakes and other bakes is the first thing to greet you, flanked by a wall stacked floor-to-ceiling with loaves of bread – all freshly baked this morning.
Loaf choices include classic white and brown sourdough, Gail’s ‘wasteless’ loaves (made using a specially-created recipe designed to incorporate unsold bread crumbs), alongside seeded varieties, baguettes and batons.
As for coffee, this is specially roasted for Gail’s cafes and changes four times a year with the seasons.
Must-tries include Gail’s famous cinnamon buns, still-warm cheese and ham croissants, chocolate chip cookies, and – given the weather we’re having this week – iced coffees, all day long preferably please.
As part of the new opening, the team has commissioned a beautiful floral mural to be painted in its windows by local artist Amy Coney.
Gail’s will also be working with local restaurant-backed charity Eat Well MCR to help provide nutritious meals to local people in need as it looks to establish itself in Manchester.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
City Centre
Police launch investigation into ‘possible manslaughter’ of newborn baby at Manchester hospital
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched into the “possible manslaughter” of a newborn baby girl who died just hours after being born at a Manchester hospital.
Polly Lindop died within 24 hours after being born at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester city centre on 13 March 2023, and after concerns were raised to both the coroner and Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the force’s Major Incident Team are now investigating the tragic situation as a “possible gross negligence manslaughter”.
GMP says the matter is being investigated after “careful consideration”.
Police said the hospital has been “fully cooperative” throughout the investigation so far, and also confirmed that a number of hospital staff have been spoken to as witnesses by officers.
No arrests have been made at this stage.
“First, I want to express my condolences to the parents of Polly at what is an extremely difficult time for them,” DCI Mark Davis, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, explained of the investigation, “And our thoughts will remain with them as we carry out our investigation.
Police launch investigation into ‘possible manslaughter’ of newborn baby at Manchester hospital / Credit: GMP
“A number of hospital staff have been spoken to as witnesses by officers and no arrests have been made at this time. The hospital trust has been fully cooperative with the police and all relevant authorities have been kept informed.
“The investigation into Polly’s death is ongoing and her family will continue to be kept updated in relation to any significant developments.”
Polly’s parents told the MEN that they vowed to “never give up the fight” for answers over her death in a tribute to the newborn, adding: “We would like to thank everyone at GMP for their continual efforts every day in gaining us answers.
“Our beautiful brave baby girl Polly, we love you and miss you every day. Sleep tight my darling.”
A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) said: “GMP is investigating an incident that happened in March 2023. Our thoughts continue to be with the family and we are cooperating fully with the police investigation.”
Georgina Pellant -
27th October 2022 
