The Brewski brand continues to be a Northern favourite, whether it be their mainline restaurant or now multiple spin-offs, but now they’re bringing yet another exciting addition to Manchester city centre in the form of Ferma.
Plastering the new signage across their Booth Street site (the original American Pies and then Foldies), it’s kind of a mix of all three, with a little sprinkle of Greggs thrown in there… Come on, who doesn’t love a Greggs?
And they have no qualms about leaning into another, more grab-and-go space either; Foldies always had a regular rush of people on their dinner break, but we imagine they’ll be even busier come lunch hour and beyond now.
In a world where it’s increasingly hard to find foodstuffs which nail that a true balance between filling, good-value for money and possible to eat on the move/without a knife and fork, Brewski’s Ferma ‘Pizza Bakery’ might have just struck gold.
They claim it’s the UK’s and maybe even ‘the world’s first’, at least when it comes to a place serving everything they already do as well as turning their pizza dough into the likes of sausage rolls, pasties, savoury muffins and more.
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We’re not here to get into that debate; let the Italians and whoever else argue over that one, all we’ll say is that we were left very impressed and eager to try more.
Sampling one of their incredible ‘nduja sausage rolls, a cheese and marmite savoury muffin, as well as the fantastic ‘Cornish Calzone’ – and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like – every bite was top notch.
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The sweet section in particular, generously slathered in sauce and topped with juicy fresh fruit, feels perfectly moorish and still somehow simple enough that it doesn’t feel like too much of a middle finger to what passes for a dessert in Italy.
Once again, it’s worth reminding that this all revolves around their sensational pizza dough, to which they’ve now brought such a level of innovation that they might just start a new trend not just within the ten boroughs but beyond.
Brewski has always been good at experimenting with big and often crazy ideas, hence why their specials are legendary, and there are now several food and drink concepts that form part of the brand, but this one might just catch fire quicker than any of their other venues to date.
Manchester is a fast-paced city, and the market for this kind of scran is always going to be there; we’re just very impressed with how well they’ve nailed this pizza-centric approach. Oh, and you’ll be glad to hear that the already popular Foldies sandwiches and Dough2Go pies are still being served.
They’re also giving away 200 free items this coming Monday, 9 March, ahead of their official launch day to celebrate this next chapter.
Ferma: The Pizza Bakery fully opens next Wednesday (11 Mar), and these delights will be available to eat in or take away from 10am until 4pm. Catch you in the queue.
New pie shop with Indian-inspired fillings opens at Greater Manchester train station
Emily Sergeant
At long last, Patel’s Pies – the proper pie shop with Indian-inspired fillings – has got its very own site, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
The business is already a familiar name (to the blue half of the city, of course) thanks to its matchday spot outside the Etihad Stadium, but now, Patel’s Pies will be serving its delicious savoury bakes to the people of the Heatons too – with its brand-new pie shop now opene at Heaton Chapel train station.
Here you’ll find their legendary curry pies with homemade pastry – filled with the likes of keema, butter chicken, and beef madras.
You can grab hot and cold pies to take away, all setting you back an affordable £5.95 each.
Patel’s Pies is now open at Heaton Chapel train station / Credit: The Manc Group
From 11am-2pm, you can also get your hands on the lunch deal, which is any pie, masala mash, spiced mushy peas, and gunpowder gravy.
Patel’s Pies has teamed up with Manc legends Gooey, so you can grab the bakery’s famous cookies and doughnuts here too.
There’ll also be local beers and canned drinks up for grabs.
All pies will set you back an affordable £5.95 each / Credit: The Manc Group
Inside, the shop keeps things traditional, complete with classic pie warmers on the counter and hand-painted signage by Cactus Sign Painting, giving the space the feel of a proper old-school pie shop with a modern twist.
Announcing the new venture, Steve, the owner of Patel’s Pies has said: “We’d love for you to come down, say hello, and support our new venture. It’s our very first day, so please bear with us as we get settled in, we can’t wait to serve you all.”
Patel’s Pies is open now at Heaton Chapel Train Station on Tatton Road South.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Trendy Ancoats wine bar Blossom Street Social to close after six years
Emily Sergeant
Trendy neighbourhood wine bar Blossom Street Social has announced its closure after nearly seven years serving the Ancoats community.
Blossom Street Social first opened its doors back in 2019, just months before the country – and the res of the world – was plunged into the COVID-19 lockdowns, but despite all the challenges during the early days, this wine bar went on to become a true staple of Ancoats life – hosting events, exhibitions, wine tastings, and everything in between.
But now, the owners have had to make the heartbreaking decision to close, saying they’ve ‘danced our last dance, played our last record, and poured our last glass of wine in Ancoats.’
Announcing the news in a statement to social media this week, Blossom Street Social said: “Blossom Street Social closes its doors after six and a half years at the heart of the Ancoats community.
Blossom Street Social has announced its closure after six years / Credit: The Manc Group
“When we opened in 2019, just months before the world changed forever, we couldn’t possibly have imagined the journey ahead. Through lockdowns, uncertainty and everything that followed, we somehow managed to build something that became far more than a wine bar.
“Wine was always at the heart of what we did, but so were the conversations, the music, the art and the community that grew around it.
“We’ve hosted tastings, exhibitions, launches, celebrations, social sessions and countless memorable nights. We’ve introduced people to wines they’d never tried before, watched friendships form and shared in some truly special moments.
“We’ve watched first dates become engagements, engagements become marriages, and couples return with babies in tow. We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, new homes and countless milestones alongside you. We’ve shared conversations, laughter, music and moments that mattered from our little corner of Ancoats. We will never forget them.”
The team then went on to thank ‘every customer, artist, DJ, supplier, collaborator and friend’ who became part of their story.
The owners also gave a special thank you to the staff members who stayed ‘to the very end’ and ‘showed up when it was hard’, admitting that they couldn’t have done it without them all.
Danny Jones -
6th March 2026 
