Eats

Neighbourhood restaurant Colleen’s in Ramsbottom shuts down in blow for picturesque town

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th July 2024

Colleen’s, a charming family-run restaurant in Ramsbottom, has closed down with immediate effect.

The British Bridge Street restaurant was well-loved locally for its huge Sunday roasts and all-day menu filled with produce from around the North West.

But despite being such a staple on the main drag of this picturesque town, Colleen’s – named after the owner’s late grandmother – has confirmed that it’s had to close its doors.

In a statement shared online and signed by husband-and-wife team Thomas and Ellen Morgan, they wrote that the business ‘is just not sustainable for us anymore’, thanks to rising costs and a lack of government support.

The statement shared by Colleen’s also said they are ‘immensely proud to be able to achieve what we set out to do’.

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They wrote: “We have sadly made the decision to close the doors to Colleens permanently. Our last day of trading was Sunday.

Colleen’s in Ramsbottom has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group

“This wasn’t an easy decision to come to and we could blame numerous things that have amounted to this decision. The cost of living crisis/lack of government support/increase in costs across our whole operation but simply put its just not sustainable for us anymore.

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“Despite this and the struggles we have faced since opening we are immensely proud to be able to achieve what we set out to do. Providing a great work environment, championing local suppliers and serving great food & drinks.

“We have hosted Birthdays, Anniversaries, Baby Showers & Weddings (even our own!) as well as many other special events that we will forever remember and be thankfull that people put their trust in us to celebrate those milestones.

“We couldn’t have done any of this over the past few years without our incredibly hard working team & some wonderful customers who we are incredibly grateful for!

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“Hopefully we will get to serve you again somewhere one day. Tom & Ellen xx”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Hotly-anticipated new restaurant announces massive 50% discount for Manchester launch

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Caravan is coming to Manchester and has announced a 50% off soft launch discount. Credit: Supplied

Caravan, a hugely popular brunch and all-day dining restaurant, has announced a big discount for its Manchester diners when it opens its doors here.

The hotly-anticipated eatery, already a big name down in London, has also confirmed the official opening date for its first northern restaurant and roastery.

The massive space in the St John’s neighbourhood will be open from Tuesday 20 August, serving ‘well-travelled’ menu spanning breakfast through to dinner.

Caravan, famed for bringing New Zealand cafe culture to the UK way back in 2009 (including 10/10 coffee and brunches), will be offering 50% off all food bills to celebrate its arrival in Manchester.

The new opening will have a 170-cover restaurant space with floor-to-ceiling windows, a cocktail bar, a private dining room and a full working roastery producing some of the freshest coffees in the city.

Pizzas at Caravan, which is opening in Manchester in August 2024. Credit: Supplied
Pizzas at Caravan, which is opening in Manchester in August 2024. Credit: Supplied
Caravan is coming to Manchester and has announced a 50% off soft launch discount. Credit: Supplied
Caravan is coming to Manchester and has announced a 50% off soft launch discount. Credit: Supplied

Open seven days a week, the menu will feature their famous brunches (including Korean style buttermilk fried chicken with kimchi pancakes; jalapeno cornbread with fried egg and chilli butter; and fry-ups), plus an evening menu of cocktails, seasoned rice bowls, sourdough pizzas and small plates.

Co-founders Chris Ammermann, Laura Harper Hinton and Miles Kirby, all native New Zealanders, will be bringing this all-day Antipodean cafe culture up north very soon.

Caravan will be giving their kitchens a test run between Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 August, with 50% off the food bill in exchange for feedback – you can sign up here.

Caravan Manchester will officially open on Tuesday 20 August.

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Featured image: Supplied

Eats

A bar where you can pull your own pint is opening up in Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones new bar where you can pull your own pints manchester city centre

In one of the coolest new openings coming to Manchester this month, a bar where you can pull your own pints opens in the city centre on Monday, 7 July.

Oh, and wine – you can pour your own wine too, because we all know how best to measure.

The self-service concept is one that immediately caught our attention, especially as we’ve always fancied our chances of pouring a perfect beer despite having never taken a single step behind a bar in our lives, and it is simply called The Tap House.

Set to span two floors with tons of outside space and a long line of taps for you to choose from, The Tap House will be specialising in local breweries and hard-to-source brews, spotlighting the best of the best from around the region.

self service pints manchester city centre
the tap house mcr
fat franks pizza the tap house mcr

With a total of 24 beers, along with 16 wines from their sister site, Another? over in Nottingham, this ‘two bars become one’ concept is a real first for Manchester and will pioneer the self-service scene in the city.

Better yet, they’ve secured a pretty exciting name to help line customers’ stomachs whilst they’re pulling their own pints and sipping on their wine of choice, as Fat Frank’s will also be serving up pizza by the slice as the perfect accompaniment.

In a move to rival the almighty Nell’s, you can also order full-sized 22″ pizzas as well if you’re sharing or, you know, just a greedy little menace like the rest of us.

They’ve also hit a good price point it seems as well, pints ranging from £5.50 upwards, wine starting from £5.80 and a slice of Fat Frank’s Pizza from £4.50.

Here’s how the whole thing works:

@thetaphousemcr THE COUNTDOWN IS ON SEE YOU ON THE 8TH JULY #manchester #explore #journey #vlog #journey #reels #bar #manc ♬ Baianá (Sped Up Version) – Bakermat

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Nice and simple, right?

The Tap Hosue is set to open to the public on Monday, 8 July and is just the latest in a recent trend of new openings on Circle Square, with North Bar, Federal and viral pasta spot Onda.

Co-owner Tom Benjamin described things perfectly ahead of launch day: “Perfect pints you can pour yourself. Delicious pizza by the slice. Wine you’ll love and adore”, adding, “We’re excited to finally open the doors and see The Tap House concept come to life here at Circle Square.”

You’ll definitely find us down there trying to pull the perfect pint for ourselves and if you’re a wine-lover, it’s worth noting that these guys aren’t the only ones offering self-service in Manchester. Great minds think alike.

Salut – the beautiful Manchester wine bar with its own self-service wine machine
The Tap House might have brought pull-your-own pint method to Manchester, but Salut’s been covering the wine for a decade.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Tap House (supplied)

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