The massively popular Grandpa Greene’s ice cream parlour has branched out – to a public loo.
The much-loved dessert bar and cafe has been based down by the canal in Diggle for well over a decade, its success growing year on year.
Who could forget the early lockdown days, when half of Greater Manchester flocked to Saddleworth hungry for the simple novelty of buying an ice cream?
Now there’s a new string to the local business’s bow, as it’s taken on and transformed a former public toilet building in Uppermill.
They’ve added a smart conservatory with retractable roof to the original structure, swapping out bogs for a sunny bistro.
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There’s plenty of comfortable booth seating in here, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over King George V Park and the kids’ play area.
Greene’s Bistro is dog-friendly and very kid-friendly (with the added bonus of wine and cocktails for the parents).
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As well as classic cocktails you’ll find special concoctions themed around its weekly musical nights, like a Blue Lagoon for Mamma Mia and a watermelon spritz for Dirty Dancing.
While Grandpa Greene’s is best-known for its sweet treats, at Greene’s Bistro there’s a big focus on lunches and brunches – and they do a sterling job of both.
The beef brisket baguette at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc GroupA selection of small plates from Grandpa Greene’s bistro. Credit; The Manc Group
There are chunky warm baguettes, filled with braised beef and melted cheese, or pulled cajun chicken and Emmental.
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You can order parmesan fries loaded with 12-hour beef and peppercorn sauce, or with salt and pepper fried chicken.
Adorable little hash browns are available loaded with truffle and parmesan or a sticky salt and pepper glaze (you’ll be fighting for the last spud, they’re so addictive), while other small plates include halloumi fries and truffle fries.
For cheese addicts there are are mozzarella and pesto gnocchi croquettes which will leave you with cheese strings hanging down your chin, and a molten baked Camembert with slices of baguette for scooping.
A bright yellow smear of zingy lemon aioli comes topped with crispy squid and slithers of chorizo, and there are also piles of sticky popcorn chicken with a honey sriracha sauce.
Pancake stacks at Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill. Credit: The Manc GroupBoozy coffee shakes. Credit: The Manc GroupGigantic sundaes with Grandpa Greene’s ice cream. Credit: The Manc Group
This being a Grandpa Greene’s establishment, you know that desserts are going to be some of the best in the country.
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Greene’s Bistro features a menu packed with loaded pancakes (the chocolate Oreo ones are a must) as well as ice cream sundaes so enormous you have to carry them with two hands.
There are boozy dessert-inspired coffees, thick milkshakes made with Granda Greene’s renowned ice creams, and of course you can just grab a scoop in a cone to walk around the park with.
The glow-up from public toilet building to this brilliant new Uppermill restaurant is pretty remarkable – well done Greene’s Bistro.
How Greene’s Bistro looks nowThe toilet block before it became Greene’s Bistro in Uppermill
Manchester dessert hatch receives two-star review for ‘smiling too much’
Daisy Jackson
A dessert hatch in Manchester city centre has spoken out after receiving a two-star review – in which the main criticism was that they ‘smiled too much’.
Layr, a tiny tiramisu spot in Ancoats, has publicly addressed the review, which said the staff’s friendliness was ‘almost creepy’.
The reviewer wrote: “Came today, had alright tiramisu but the staff were smiling too much it was almost creepy. Also felt interrogated, just wanted to get my tiramisu and leave, don’t think ill be back.”
Layr – which was also the victim of ‘hostile hate messages’ earlier this year – has now shared a response to the new two-star review.
They’ve said that while they will always take feedback on board, they refuse to change ‘the warmth & smiles you’re greeted with’.
Layr posted: “We absolutely recognise, and know that every customer experience matters. We never want anyone to feel uncomfortable visiting us, and always take every bit of feedback on board.
“Smiling is just who we are. Layr was built to feel warm, welcoming, and to be a memorable part of your day, week or month. We all need that little pick-me-up no matter what.
“Our amazing team all work incredibly hard, GENUINELY enjoy meeting so many of you and hearing about your day.
“If being too friendly gets us two stars, we can live with that.
“We’ll always choose warmth, no matter what. Great tiramisu matters, so does good people and amazing energy.
“A message to our team. Please don’t stop smiling. Ever.”
Huge beer hall in ‘up-and-coming’ Manchester neighbourhood announces shock closure after two years
Daisy Jackson
A huge beer hall and rotisserie chicken restaurant that opened just two years ago in Manchester has announced its shock closure.
Trading Route was a joint venture between some of the city’s most established hospitality figures, including Trof, Manchester Union, and Wandering Palate.
The brilliant local business has described how difficult it has been to operate as the only independent business in St John’s, ‘an area that is still described as ‘up-and-coming”.
They said that not enough footfall has not come to the area to support what they were building, which – combined with rising costs in the industry – has made it too difficult to continue operating.
They added: “We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.”
They then urged people to sign the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality, saying it could help to save your favourite places.
The Trading Route in Manchester has closed with immediate effectThe bar served great local beers and rotisserie chicken
Trading Route will close in Manchester with immediate effect.
Their full statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Trading Route with immediate effect.
“Rising costs and stagnant footfall have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with trading conditions particularly challenging over the previous three months.
“We spent our first 12 months operating amid ongoing construction in an area that is still described as “up-and-coming”. As the only independent business in the area, we needed footfall to grow to support what we were building. Unfortunately, that growth hasn’t materialised quickly enough.
“We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.
“It’s too late for us, but you could help save your favourite places by signing the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality to 10%. Independent bars, restaurants and pubs need your support to keep their doors open.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd February 2024 
