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
The incredible Asian food market held every month at an 800-year-old church in Stockport
Daisy Jackson
One of Greater Manchester’s most unique food events is taking place monthly in and around the grounds of an 800-year-old church.
Held on the second Friday of every month at St Mary’s Church in Stockport, the Asian Food Market brings together some of the region’s best independent Asian street food traders under one historic roof.
Organised by Eat Good West, the event brings together 16 traders every month, serving up dishes from across Asia.
Visitors can tuck into everything from crispy Taiwanese fried chicken and Korean corn dogs to homemade strawberry mochi.
A real highlight is the Japanese yakitori skewers, grilled fresh to order on a traditional charcoal grill while you wait, served in a cloud of smoke and delicious charred edges.
The market originally launched in Edgeley, but after growing in popularity it moved to St Mary’s around a year ago, giving organisers more space to accommodate the increasing crowds.
For the team behind the event, it’s about more than just great food. They see the market as a way of bringing together Stockport’s diverse communities, creating a space where people can connect over shared meals and discover new cultures through food.
Strawberry mochiA round of drinks for £10Sticky fried chicken
There’s a lively atmosphere throughout the evening, with live music performances adding to the experience. And if Manchester’s unpredictable weather makes an appearance, there’s plenty of additional seating inside the church.
The bar also serves a selection of Asian beers and soft drinks at surprisingly affordable prices. We picked up an Asahi, a Singha and a plum beer for just £10 – one of the best-value rounds we’ve seen in a while.
If you’re looking for an excuse to spend your Friday evening eating your way across Asia without leaving Stockport, this is one event worth putting in the diary.
Inside the Greggs outlet store where you can get a sausage roll for 55p
Daisy Jackson
There’s a Greggs Outlet store over in Salford where you can pick up the bakery chain’s top products for a vastly lower price than the high street.
We’re talking sausage rolls for just 55p, four-packs of jam doughnuts for £1.35, and filled baguettes for £1.50.
The items in store at the Greggs Outlet have all been saved from waste and redistributed to customers for a reduced price.
It could be that it’s come out the oven a bit wonky, not sold in a local Greggs shop, has been discontinued, or they’ve simply made too much.
Whatever the reason, you’re likely to find everything from yum yums and fresh bread to filled sandwiches and pastries.
Depending on what you choose to buy, customers can save more than 70% on what they’d paid in a typical high street Greggs bakery store.
Designed to provide ‘affordable food in areas of social deprivation’, a share of profits generated from Greggs Outlets is donated to the Greggs Foundation to distribute through the Greggs Foundation Community Grant Programme.
Inside the Greggs Outlet at Radclyffe Park, you can find steals like a four-pack of sausage rolls for £2.20, or 55p each – around a 60% discount.
There are also two-packs of Yum Yums for 80p (normally £1.70 each), big packs of fresh bread rolls for 30p, and four-packs of filled doughnuts for £2.
You can even pick up fresh sandwiches at Greggs OutletPacks of discounted sausage rollsThe shelves are stocked daily
Then in the fridges, you’ll find classic filled sandwiches sold at exceptional value, like a honey roast ham and egg roll for £1.50, a Mexican chicken flatbread for £1.50, a classic tuna sandwich for 80p, or a roast chicken mayo baguette for £1.50.
That’s all better than half price.
Greggs says on signs in-store: “We can offer you food at a reduced price because we may have made too much, it’s come out slightly misshapen, it’s been unsold at a local Greggs shop, it’s being discontinued or the weather has changed so we’ve over-ordered.
“Whatever the reason, you can be sure of one thing: all our food is tasty and fantastic value for money!”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd December 2020 
