Oxford Road’s sprawling food and drink hubhas confirmed it will reopen later this spring in the aftermath of the government’s roadmap announcement.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that hospitality venues would be permitted to serve customers in outdoors settings from April 12, with no plans to reintroduce the ‘substantial meal’ rule or 10pm curfew.
And Hatch – the dazzlingly diverse food and drink neighbourhood in Manchester city centre – wasted no time in making plans to reopen.
Organisers took to social media the morning after the roadmap announcement to confirm that Hatch would welcome back punters from April 12.
The statement was so excitedly received that the website temporarily crashed as people rushed to book tables.
ADVERTISEMENT
We have a date! ??? We'll be ready to reopen Hatch from 12 April for shopping and outdoor dining. And, for the first time, you'll be able to book a table with us too!
We've got so many exciting plans and can't wait to share them with you.
Alongside restaurants, Hatch is also home to outlets such as hairdressers and clothing stores – which are allowed to reopen on April 12 alongside outdoor hospitality venues.
Just some of the tenants currently occupying spaces in the multicoloured shipping containers on Oxford Road include coffee shop Takk, wine shop vin-yard, Asian street food stall FUKU, award-winning banger-maker Grandad’s Sausages, upcycled vintage clothing outfit Suzy Loves Milo, male grooming experts Portland Barbers.
ADVERTISEMENT
They’re all expected to make a comeback on April 12, but in the meantime, many of Hatch’s residents are continuing to offer delivery and collection services.
To book a table, head over to the official website.
Eats
Ian Wright raves about Chorlton takeaway Jerk Junction
Daisy Jackson
Ian Wright has publicly raved about a Greater Manchester takeaway, saying it’s the ‘only reason’ he comes to the city.
The TV personality and football great took to Instagram yesterday to share his short but sweet review of Jerk Junction.
It’s a beloved takeaway and restaurant that has a few sites across Greater Manchester and tonnes of loyal followers – including more than a few famous faces.
And now Ian Wright has joined the legions of fans celebrating Jerk Junction, a Caribbean spot famed for its jerk chicken and curried meats.
On his Instagram page yesterday, Wrighty shared a video of himself tucking into a huge helping of curry and rice, with fried dumplings on the side.
In it, he gives the camera a big thumbs up before saying: “It’s the only reason I come to Manchester really.”
Jerk Junction has also shared a photo of them delivering the food to Ian, writing: “Special delivery to everyones favourite Uncle, The Legend himself Mr @wrightyofficial.”
Ian Wright raving about Jerk Junction on Instagram. Credit: Instagram, @wrightyofficialIan Wright with Jerk Junction. Credit: Instagram, @jerkjunction
Ian Wright has then replied: “Too much food! But it was amazing!! Thank you so much.”
The takeaway’s menu is filled with dishes like Jerk chicken, curried goat, and vegetarian options like Ital stew, all served with rice and peas, and prepared with traditional spices and ingredients.
Family-run tapas restaurant shames customers who stole decorations
Daisy Jackson
A family-run restaurant in Whitefield has publicly shamed a couple who stole new decorations from them.
Campo Blanco, a popular tapas joint in the Bury suburb, threatened to call ‘Santa’ over the petty theft.
Owned and operated by high school sweethearts Aaron and Faye Cummins, the charming local spot opened back in 2018 and has been a firm favourite in Whitefield ever since.
But it’s not just their tapas menu that’s caught the attention of locals – now apparently it’s their new table decorations.
Campo Blanco has shared CCTV footage of a couple who dined there recently pocketing lamps off their table.
The customer in question quietly reaches across her dinner, picks up the pretty gold lamp, turns it off, and shoves it into her coat pocket.
The restaurant shared the video online and pleaded for them to return the lamps by Christmas Eve.
They then said they’d be telling Santa – ‘and by Santa, we mean the police’.
Campo Blanco wrote: “We love our new table lights too. We actually can’t get them anymore as they’ve stopped making them so please bring them back. Also, they aren’t yours!
The Manc -
25th February 2021 
