Another raft of local restaurant operators are moving into the new Stanley Square development in Sale.
The Trafford town is being reborn as a foodie hotspot, attracting some of the biggest independent names from across Greater Manchester.
Already in situ at Stanley Square and the surrounding area is another site for Rudy’s with their Neapolitan pizzas, Sale Foodhall (from the minds behind Ancoats General Store and Stretford Foodhall), and Sugo Pasta Kitchen.
It’s not just pre-established names moving in either, with one of the region’s most exciting new restaurants, Petisco, choosing the area for its first site.
Petisco restaurant in Sale. Credit: The Manc Group
The Portuguese-inspired restaurant has been launched by four childhood friends and serves an exciting menu of small plates, like shell-on green peri-peri prawns and saffron-poached octopus salad.
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And the explosion of new restaurants is only just getting started.
Chorlton’s renowned seafood restaurant The Oystercatcher has announced that it will open its second restaurant in Sale.
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The neighbourhood hotspot has a big focus on oysters (as the name suggests) but generally, if it’s in the sea, it’s on the menu.
The new-look Stanley Square in Sale is attracting plenty of new restaurants.
They champion fresh, seasonal seafood, with an every-changing menu that’s earned it a solid reputation as one of Greater Manchester’s best restaurants.
It’s been a long time coming for Rimmer and co-owner Simon Connolly, who said on announcing the news: “31 years since we opened site 1….site 3 coming 2053!”
The new Green’s is taking shape at Stanley Square and is already taking bookings, with its opening pencilled in for early July.
Zumuku Sushi, which already has sites in Manchester, Bolton, Ramsbottom, Cheadle and Worsley (to name a few) has snapped up one of the remaining empty units in the redeveloped square.
It will soon be bringing its authentic Japanese cooking to the area and rubbing shoulders with its next door neighbours at Sugo.
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It shouldn’t be long before Blanchflower – a popular neighbourhood restaurant and cafe with its own bakery on site – branches over with a second site from its home in Altrincham too.
All eyes are firmly on Sale to see who else decides to move in.
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
A food and drink festival shining a spotlight on independent businesses is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving later this month, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
Organised by Love Urmston and hosted by Urmston resident and food and drink presenter, Matty White, this community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Now in its second year, YUM! continues to shine a spotlight on Urmston’s indie food scene and the passion of the people behind it, but as well as local residents, it also invites the rest of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester community to come together.
So whether you just live down the road, or you are discovering the town for the first time, everyone is welcome to pop down.
“Bringing YUM! back for a second year is incredibly exciting,” commented Fred Davids, who is the Chair of the Love Urmston committee.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate what makes Urmston special – its community, and fantastic food and drink scene, welcoming people from near and far to experience the town at its best.
“And as a committee, we’re proud to support our incredible local independent businesses who put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
YUM! is returning to Urmston for another delicious festival this month / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Just some of the independent businesses you’ll find at the festival throughout the day include English Rose Bakery, Inforno Pizzeria, Dan’s Cookies, Banga Curries, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen, The Greek Village, Pomona Island Brewery, Kelder Wines, and so many more.
The festival is also proudly sponsored by Gecko Homes – a north west property developer that specialises in creating affordable and shared ownership homes across many of Manchester’s most popular suburbs.
You can read more about what Gecko Homes is doing across the region here.
Daisy Jackson -
8th June 2022 
