A popular vegan takeaway in Chorlton has announced its permanent closure.
Zad’s was the first fully-vegan takeaway in the UK when it opened its doors on Barlow Moor Road in 2017.
Since then, vegan junk food has grown in popularity and plant-based alternatives crop up on menus across the nation.
The takeaway is famed for its pizzas, as well as its range of meat-free burgers, cauliflower wings, and macaroni cheese.
Vegan chicken wings (made with cauliflower) at Zad’s. Credit: Instagram, @zadsmcr
The owners of Zad’s have been looking for a buyer for the business, but say ‘the time has come to close our doors’ for good.
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Last year, they posted: “Zad’s is looking for a new owner and is going on the market for sale. Like many people, I have taken a lot of time over the last eighteen months or so to reassess many things and have come to the difficult realisation that I’m not the right person for Zad’s – I have a full time job which I love, a young family and a growing list of voluntary charitable commitments which just mean I don’t have the time to give to Zad’s that it deserves.
“Zad’s was started as a bit of fun, to give Manchester the vegan pizza it so desperately needed and there is still a huge need for what we do today.
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“We have a huge fanbase and if the last eighteen months has taught us anything, it’s that when Zad’s gets the attention it deserves, great things happen. We flourished through lockdown and provided an incredibly important service to all of our wonderful customers when you needed us most.”
Sadly, the Chorlton takeaway has now announced that it’s been unable to find someone to take over, and it will close after a few last celebrations.
The business is revisiting some of its most popular specials over the coming weeks before it closes on Sunday 24 July.
Zad’s posted on Instagram: “Well… after almost a full year of trying to find a buyer for Zad’s, the time has come to close our doors.
“We will be celebrating our 5th birthday on Thursday 21st July and will close our doors for the final time on Sunday 24th July. It’s been a hell of a rollercoaster and thank you all for your support over the last 5 years.
“More updates coming on our plans for the next 4 weeks, including specials, and details of how we can get our food to everyone before we close. I’m sure they’ll be a blog post before long too, with all the details around our decision to close.”
The announcement from Zad’s in Chorlton. Credit: Instagram, @zadsmcr
Fans of the takeaway have expressed their dismay to see the business close.
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One person wrote: “What a shame. Absolutely paved the way for vegan junk food in Manchester.”
Another said: “You guys were the trailblazers of vegan fast food in Manchester.”
Someone else commented: “Such a massive shame. Goodbye to the best vegan takeaway pizza ever.”
Featured image:Instagram, @zadsmcr
Eats
First look inside Social Osteria, Stockport’s buzzy new Italian restaurant
Lydia Mastrolonardo
That’s right Stopfordians – we’re gaining yet another brand new addition to our town’s blooming food and drink scene, as Social Osteria opens its doors at Weir Mill.
It’s safe to say we’re in good hands, with the geniuses behind The Social Trattoria, named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025, being the ones to bring this new taste of Italy to South Manchester.
Just because we are no longer experiencing the weather to match an Italian summer, doesn’t mean we can’t continue eating like we’re there.
Social Osteria can now be found overlooking the River Mersey, as a beautiful 2,000 sq ft space within the buzzing new canalside development, fully equipped with the classic exposed red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the restored original kiln.
As you approach the restaurant, you are greeted by a sunken courtyard and riverside seating, making for the perfect alfresco dining spot, when the warmer weather finally rolls back around.
With the meaning of Osteria being an Italian tavern, for locals to gather and enjoy each other’s company, good wine and honest, flavourful food – the team have stayed true to the name. You can expect dim, ambient lighting, an open kitchen, fresh small plates, flavourful 48-hour pizzas, and traditional pasta.
Vibrant dishes at Social Osteria in Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
This glamorous new restaurant is promising a spectacular menu, from cacio e pepe butter beans to guanciale topped pizzas and their very own slow-cooked beef shin and pork shoulder paccheri ragu, you know we’re in the right place.
With Italian food running in the family, the team’s cooking practices are rooted in traditional methods, passed down through the generations and then presented to us, with the freshest of ingredients.
It suits Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill whilst transforming it into a vibrant community, for generations to come.
Inside Social Osteria at Weir Mill. Credit: The Manc Group
Set below Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m neighbourhood is now home to 253 apartments alongside bustling cafés, wine bars and stunning restaurants akin to Social Osteria, accompanied by plenty of outdoor seating, green spaces, and riverside viewpoints.
Where Osteria Social now calls home is part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing reputation as one of the best locations to live in the UK.
Social Osteria will officially open Thursday 22 October, at Weir Mill. Be sure to book your tables early as we fear this one might get a little booked up.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
Daisy Jackson -
4th July 2022 
