A new ice cream shop is opening in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, bringing sweet, cold and creamy treats to Stevenson Square in time for summer.
Called Sweet!, it is set to open in the city centre later this month serving up ice creams, milkshakes, slushies and more – with a huge giveaway planned for its launch date.
Brought to Manchester by the team behind The Quarter House, Hula and The Fitzgerald, the new dessert shop will take over a suntrap patch next door to their popular Stevenson Square boozers.
Serving up locally-sourced ice creams and other goodies to hungry Mancs this summer, those heading down can expect to find fresh dairy-farmed ice cream straight from a farm on the Ribble Valley.
Image: Mrs Dawson’s
Image: Mrs Dawson’s
Based in Blackburn, Lancashire, Mrs Dowson’s award-winning ice cream comes from a third-generation dairy farm and boasts ‘honest, quality ingredients’.
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The all-natural, farm-made dairy ice cream uses full cream milk fresh from their dairy herd and local ingredients.
As well as serving up Mrs Downson’s popular classic flavours like strawberry, mint choc chip, chocolate and vanilla, ice cream fans can expect to find some surprises alongside vegan-friendly sorbets for those of the plant-powered persuasion.
There will be seating stretching out into the square for those wanting to enjoy an al fresco treat on site, as well as tubs and cones for those who’d prefer to take their ice cream away.
With an opening date set for Wednesday 26 April, from 12pm Sweet! will be giving away 200 free ice creams to the first customers through its door.
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Located at 9 Stevenson Square, next door to The Quarter House, make sure to get down from 12pm if you want to get your hands on a freebie.
With an opening date set for Wednesday 26 April, from 12pm Sweet! will be giving away 200 free ice creams to the first customers through its door.
Located at 9 Stevenson Square, next door to The Quarter House, make sure to get down from 12pm if you want to get your hands on a freebie.
Featured image – Google Maps
Eats
You can now have dinner in the actual dressing rooms at Co-op Live
Daisy Jackson
Co-op Live has now launched exclusive backstage dining experiences – which means you could be having dinner inside the very dressing rooms that have hosted music megastars.
These new groundbreaking new Backstage Private Dining experiences feature menus curated by Simon Rimmer.
This will be the first time that the arena’s most exclusive artist areas have been open to guests.
There’ll be 10 selected dates from May 2026, where ticket-holders can eat dinner in dressing rooms that were previously occupied by the likes of Lady Gaga and Bruce Springsteen.
Guests will be able to choose from several packages, from intimate receptions and private three-course dinners inside the dressing rooms, to lavish extras like a Bentley chauffeur-driven arrival, live entertainment, and extended backstage access.
The most premium package will also offer access to Co-op Live’s adidas Originals recording studio.
Proceeds from the Backstage Private Dining will go towards supporting Co-op Live’s official charity partner, the Co-op Foundation, which tackles inequality and supports communities across the UK.
Chef Simon Rimmer commented: “Having worked with Co-op Live for some time, it’s incredibly exciting to now be involved with this unique series of Backstage Private Dining.
“It’s a rare opportunity to further combine the world-class music venue with exceptional food, and I can’t wait to showcase how these experiences can come to life together, creating truly unforgettable evenings for our guests.”
Becci Thomson, Chief Commercial Officer at Co-op Live, said: “From day one, our ambition has been to challenge expectations of what an arena can deliver, and we’re now delighted to introduce a new dimension of premium hospitality at Co-op Live.
“This collaboration unlocks new creative potential within the venue, offering experiences that have not previously been possible. It reflects our commitment to innovation and meaningful impact within the communities we support.”
Designed and delivered in partnership with Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), Founder and CEO Liz Taylor said: “Opportunities like this are rare. Co-op Live is a venue built for scale, spectacle and ambition — and that’s exactly how we are approaching these events.
“Whether it’s an intimate milestone celebration or a brand hosting at the highest level, these will be immersive, one-night-only experiences designed to deliver real impact. We are proud to have been chosen to help shape this next chapter, bringing creativity, precision and bold thinking to a space that demands nothing less.”
Salford industrial estate bakery with incredible cinnamon rolls to open new site
Daisy Jackson
Mayya Bakery, a local ‘hidden gem’ with incredible cinnamon rolls, is set to open a brand-new bakery that will make it significantly less hidden.
Until now, Mayya has been quietly trading from an industrial estate in Salford, where it’s built a great reputation for its bakes despite an off-the-beaten-track-location and relatively little social media fanfare.
It opened its doors in 2024, operated by former primary school teacher Meli and her husband, dentist Oguz.
This is an artisan bakery with a real Turkish flare, with plenty of comfort food like freshly made gözleme (or gozzies for short) and bigger dishes if you fancy sitting in.
Their counters are stuffed with sweet bakes, like their perfect cinnamon rolls, plus loaves, babka, cookies, and homemade cheesecake.
For bigger dishes, you’ll find breakfast dishes like Turkish eggs, Simit (a traditional sesame bagel) breakfasts, and menemen.
The counters at Mayya Bakery’s current locationIncredible cheesecake at Mayya BakerySigns on Chapel Street Salford for the new Mayya Bakery
And now Mayya Bakery has revealed plans to open a new location in a much more prominent spot in town, with signs appearing in the windows of a unit on Chapel Street.
The sign reads: “Everything is homemade – including this picture.”
It also quips: “They called us hidden gem… not hidden anymore.”
Mayya will open on Chapel Street soon – keep an eye on our food and drink Instagram page The Manc Eats for the latest.
Georgina Pellant -
20th April 2023 
