City Centre

What Mancunians think of the Christmas Markets’ new home at troubled Piccadilly Gardens

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 12th November 2021

The Manchester Christmas Markets have moved to a new location at Piccadilly Gardens this year, but what to Mancs really think about the festivities being centred in this troubled part of the city centre?

When the news was announced that the Christmas Markets’ main hub would have to relocate this year – ongoing renovation works on the Town Hall have meant that Albert Square is off-limits – the reaction was pretty predictable.

Many people were concerned about the incidents of drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour at Piccadilly Gardens, making quips about ‘spiced’ drinks in reference to the synthetic cannabinoid.

But that was before the markets were actually open, totally transforming the infamous part of the city centre into the ‘Winter Gardens’ and a hub of hive of live music, street food and market stalls.

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The ‘Winter Gardens’, the new main hub of the Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group

Two huge wooden platforms have been built at Piccadilly Gardens, each surrounded by huts selling food and drink.

There’s a live music stage for the first time, furniture made from repurposed wooden pallets, and walls filled with plants.

A large part of the new site is under cover too, making it far more weather-proof than previous Christmas Markets.

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The Off-Piste Bar at Piccadilly Gardens / Credit: The Manc Group

The festive light trail has even parked up here, including a giant glowing ‘MCR’ sign and an arch of shooting stars you can walk through.

For the most part, local people seem to be pleasantly surprised, with thousands flooding to the comments of The Manc‘s live tour.

John Paul wrote: “Massive improvement on the area. It’s been Manchester City centres let down for decades. Can they stay until Easter.”

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Nancy Morris said: “That’s the best that Piccadilly Gardens has looked since the actual Gardens were concreted over. Well done”

Sue Taylor posted: “I like the idea of using all recycled materials, well done, looks good”

The Winter Gardens the night before they officially opened / Credit: The Manc Group

One person couldn’t believe their eyes, commenting: “Oh my god is that Piccadilly gardens????”

However, many were disappointed at the lack of Christmas spirit, with one person saying it’s “Just a food and drink market.”

Read more: Everything you need to know about the Manchester Christmas Markets 2021

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Most of the traders at Piccadilly Gardens are serving only food or drink, though there are a few gift stalls too.

The bulk of the shopping markets have been moved to the other sites along Market Street, Exchange Square and St Ann’s Square.

One person wrote: “Weres all the gift stalls , and weres the Christmas decor just looks like a giant pallet yard p*ss up ,”

Ali Humphries posted: “Awful. Nothing like the original markets, just a food and drink market”

Featured Image: The Manc Group

City Centre

Sacha Lord launches Christmas campaign to rescue Manchester hospitality businesses

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

Manchester’s Night Time Economy Advisor Sacha Lord has today launched a Christmas campaign to help save local hospitality businesses.

With rocketing energy bills and food prices caused by inflation compounded by two years of closures during the height of the pandemic, many bars and restaurants have already closed their doors – and more are warning that they are on the brink of following suit.

In response, Manchester’s night tzar and Warehouse Project founder Sacha Lord has launched a new campaign that he hopes will encourage people to put money back into their favourite pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes this Christmas.

Working alongside hospitality businesses from across the Greater Manchester region, his team has coordinated a new campaign that will see people encouraged to buy vouchers for local Manchester businesses as Christmas presents this year.

Sacha Lord pictured outside the old Sankey’s Soap, first opened in 1994 then revived by Sacha Lord and partners in 2000. It closed its doors in 2006. / Image: Sacha Lord Instagram
Manchester steakhouse Hawksmoor will be taking part in this year’s Christmas voucher scheme. / Image: The Manc Eats

These vouchers can then be redeemed over the Christmas season or during the quieter winter months, bringing much-needed revenue into an industry that is currently in dire straits.

Sacha Lord, the city-region’s Night Time Economy Adviser, said: “Treating loved ones to a night out not only gives them memories to cherish, but will go a long way in supporting local landlords and independent venues across Greater Manchester.

“We all know the difficulties that our favourite restaurants, bars, theatres and hotels are going through, and January is always the bleakest time of the year for the sector.

“Not only is footfall typically down as people choose to save and stay indoors, but as a result staff often find they aren’t booked for as many shifts as normal.

“By buying a voucher or putting a deposit down now, we can support the sector through the difficult post-Christmas period, and move away from gifting presents that just sit unwanted in the cupboard.

“What better way to help your favourite venue, and the local workforce, than gifting a loved one an evening out this Christmas.”

Read more: This family-run Greek restaurant has just been named the best in England

Venues confirmed as taking part so far include Hawksmoor, Platzki, Cane & Grain, Abeja Tapas Bar in Stockport and Cocoa Cabana Chocolatiers in Ancoats and Didsbury.

Further businesses taking part include Alex’s Bakery, The Barking Dog Urmston, Atlas Bar, Three Little Words, Albert’s Schloss, Calcio! sports bar, 53Two, Riva Altrincham, A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana in High Peak, WOOD Manchester and Con Club in Altrincham.

Read more: Andy Burnham is doing another DJ battle – this time with The Warehouse Project

A number of cultural institutions are also getting involved, from The Royal Exchange and The Palace Theatre, to The Opera House and The Stoller Hall all contributing vouchers to the scheme. More are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

Feature image – Sacha Lord / Darren Robinson Photography

City Centre

Bundobust launches new Christmas menu with sprout bhaji butties

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

If Bundobust can’t make you eat your sprouts then we’re not sure who can. The Manchester restaurant has just launched a new Christmas menu featuring sprout bhajis – and it’s exquisite.

We loved Bundobust at any time of the year, but when we heard that they were making mince pie parathas and gingerbread ale for the occasion we knew that we had to get ourselves down asap.

Putting a seasonal twist on their brilliant Indian street food dishes, the infamous sprout bhajis make a triumphant return atop a spiced cranberry chutney – giving new life to the celebrated (if somewhat misunderstood) seasonal vegetable.

The Sprout Bhaji Butty is a thing of beauty. / Image: The Manc Eats
The Sprout Bhaji Butty and the classic Vada Pav. / Image: The Manc Eats

Fans of the Christmas sarnie can also opt for the sprout bhaji butty, a crispy sprout bhaji patty with salad, spiced cranberry and green chutneys. Even better, £1 from every sprout bhaji butty sold will go towards the #CookForUkraine charity initiative, reports The Hoot.

Elsewhere, you’ll find festive dahl with rice: a warming and smoky Christmas take on Dal Makhani boosted with black cardamom, clove and cinnamon that feels like a hug in a bowl.

The beloved biryani balls are also back for 2022, pairing India’s celebratory dish, Biryani, with the party buffet snackability of arancini. A match made in heaven, right? Spiced with mint, saffron, ginger, nutmeg and rose, served in a rich tomato sauce crowned with crispy onions, we’re sure these are going to be flying off the shelves.

As for the mince pie parathas, what to say? A new addition this year, these are a perfect sweet-savoury flavour bomb stuffed with sultana, raisin, cinnamon, clove, star anise and coconut. We ordered them with the signature house paneer and made ourselves little festive wraps – a trick we highly recommend you try for yourselves.

And of course, you’ll need something to wash all the delicious food down with, and it wouldn’t be Bundobust without beer. So from 21 November, you’ll be able to grab a pint of Bundobust Brewery’s AADU – a limited edition 5.8% Gingerbread Wheat Beer.

Read more: Burgerism is teaming up with Get Baked to offer some ridiculously good desserts

Equally, if beer isn’t your thing you can opt for a mulled wine, Bundo Snowball, Cosmopolitan or Amaretto Sour. We swear down the mulled wine is one of the best we’ve ever had.

All the dishes are available now until Christmas. To book a table take a look at their website.

Feature image – The Manc Eats

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