Iconic Manchester-born burger and shake bar Archie’s has announced it will finally be opening in the Trafford Centre next week after a what has been a turbulent year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
But a series of unfortunate hold-ups as a result of the ongoing pandemic have meant the opening of the new restaurant – which was initially slated to take place in April – was postponed on a number of occasions, with legions of hungry fans just awaiting a confirmed date.
And, after over 10 months, it’s finally been confirmed that doors will open on Tuesday 8th December inside the mall’s The Orient food court.
What’s more is that this new branch will be Archie’s flagship and biggest store in the UK too.
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Speaking on the new Trafford Centre restaurant – which will “taken to the next level” – back in January, Imran Shezad – CEO at Archie’s – said: “The Trafford Centre restaurant is going to be the flagship store, it will be really cool – very Instagrammable.
“We’ve got a room with pink banana swings and a ball pit just for that.”
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The new location was also set to include a pink room with a ball pit, and will also have swings which will provide “playful posing opportunities”, however it’s believed some of these facilities will be out of action for the time being due to COVID-safety precautions.
It’s safe to say the well-known fast food brand is a Mancunian icon at this point, famous not just for its creative and wide-ranging menu of burgers, shakes, waffles and more, but also for its amazing-award winning bright pink Instagrammable interiors, which has made it prone to regular celebrity visits.
People flock from all over for the Archie’s experience.
The beloved brand started out 10 years ago on Oxford Road in the city centre, and has gone from strength to strength ever since, now with four branches in Manchester and one each in Liverpool and Birmingham.
Two other restaurants are also planned to open in Manchester Airport and Leeds in 2021.
The constant innovation of the menu and brand has continued to keep Archie’s relevant, and its massive expansion over the past few years is testament to the group’s extremely hard work.
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Archie’s Manchester The Trafford Centre will open on Tuesday 8th December 2020.
Unit R7A, 132-134, The Orient, Trafford Centre, Manchester.
You can find more information about Archie’s, as well as menus, takeout/delivery options, and COVID-safety precautions via its website here.
Eats
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.
You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.
With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.
But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.
To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.
If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.
The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.
Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.
Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK
If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.
“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd December 2020 
