Chapter One Books has been part of the Northern Quarter furniture for almost a decade – but now this much-loved bookshop-cafe hybrid has a Middle-Eastern cafe concealed inside too.
Visitors will be able to get lost in flavours and books thanks to the arrival of Gulf, where you’re instantly transported to the Middle East from the minute you see the restaurant’s decor to the moment the food hits your tastebuds.
All the meals prepared at Gulf are inspired by foods which have been brought to the middle east by migrants from India and Pakistan – expect authentic chapatis with traditional fillings like egg and soft cheese or falafel with labneh and tahini.
The interior is an instant stress soother with a stone water fountain acting as the venue’s centrepiece with lots of intricate decorations which help to frame the eatery’s many chairs and tables.
You feel as though you’re stepping into a mini holiday with the Moroccan-inspired space, just tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main cafe.
There are hand-painted walls, comfy cushions and warm-toned rugs everywhere.
The cheesy garlic pide is a must-have – it’s the ultimate cheesy doughy pick-me-up to power anyone through their next study or work session.
The ultimate foodie fuel – cheesy garlic pide at GulfA full set-up of all the various Gulf menu favourites we tried.Hot drinks at GulfCredit: The Manc Group
The oval shaped flatbread came with a creamy hummus topped with chilli flakes and fresh herbs. This pairing is a match made in heaven.
Their Karak tea is a signature drink on their menu, a hot drink brewed for around an hour with a secret blend of spices. It’s no surprise that the flavours with this are unmissable as the word ‘karak’ translates to strong.
The gulf toast is another highlight – their take on French toast has all the usual rich flavours from the caramel and ice cream, with a Karak tea pouring sauce for the more adventurous foodies.
Served in a cute dainty pot, the tastes coming from this warm and creamy sauce are anything but small. It contains the same secret spice blend giving any sweet tooth a perfect pairing of flavours.
Gulf’s menu is quietly geared towards vegetarians, with only a beef quesadilla and keema chapati containing meat.
And that’s not the only hidden gem space to discover inside Chapter One.
There’s also a mini library, with bookshelves adorning all four walls, nestled at the back of the building.
Find your next read during your visit to Chapter One Books.An overview of most of the seating area at Chapter One Books & Gulf.Socialise with friends and play some board games provided by the cafe.Credit: The Manc Group
With an array of tables and cozy armchairs, workers can sit back and sink into an environment which wouldn’t feel too out of place in Hogwarts.
Both Gulf and the mini library are quiet zones within the bustling establishment, where you’ll often find masses of people sat at laptops or socialising over a coffee.
Diners can have the best of both worlds as they respond to those relentless emails while enjoying a taste of the Middle East.
In the evenings, the space even has some zen time for after the working day is done. There are a variety of classes and groups that take place in the workspace including a free meditation workshop every Thursday from 6pm and a creative writing group every Tuesday from 6.30pm.
Both Gulf and Chapter One Books are open everyday from 10am until 9pm meaning guests have a whole 11 hours everyday to sample all their incredible delicacies.
Drinks prices for Manchester Oasis gigs announced – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised
Daisy Jackson
The prices of drinks at Heaton Park for the five huge Manchester Oasis shows have been released in advance.
With the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage in their hometown for the first time this weekend (and then again next week), it’s a huge moment for our city.
Those lucky enough to snag tickets have already forked out a small fortune to witness this moment in history (still scarred from the dynamic pricing debacle).
And most of us were probably bracing to spend another small fortune on beers at the Oasis Manchester gigs.
But you might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.
It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.
Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.
Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.
Heaton Park will also be the home of the ‘largest beer garden’ and the longest bars in the city for the Oasis reunion.
With a major heatwave predicted for the first shows, fans are being encouraged to stay hydrated (on WATER, not beer, please).
Ticket-holders will be allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water up to 500ml in with you, but it must be collapsible plastic.
Solid plastic and metal containers will be rejected on safety grounds.
There’s a free water point on site where you can fill up your bottles again.
Oasis will perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
£1.8m revamp of Ancoats pub The Shamrock is FINALLY set to begin
Daisy Jackson
At long last, work to revamp The Shamrock pub in Ancoats is about to begin – and they’re calling on locals to rename the historic boozer.
The Shamrock, on Bengal Street, was taken over by Joseph Holt brewery in 2019 but has been firmly sealed shut ever since, with the pandemic halting its revamp.
But now the family-owned brewery is ready to get to work on the pub, with a £1.8m revamp kicking off very soon.
The Shamrock, which dates back to 1808, will be transformed from an Irish pub into a Joseph Holt’s venue.
Back in the turn of the 19th century, it was a popular watering hole for the Irish and Italian communities who moved to the industrial neighbourhood.
Obviously, Ancoats has gone through some pretty major changes in the years since, and is now one of the city’s trendiest and foodiest suburbs, filled with flats, bars, coffee shops and more.
It’s because of this that the Joseph Holt team felt like The Shamrock was due a new name for its new chapter, and are asking the public to help rename the pub, with a shortlist of five names drawn up.
The options on the table for when the pub reopens include The Victoria Arms (as a nod to the flats and accommodation across the road); The Fleet (the name of a former neighbouring pub); and The Linen Arms, reflecting the city’s cotton trade.
The historic Ancoats pub The Shamrock will finally undergo a £1.8m revamp. Credit: Supplied
The other choices for the public to vote on are The Spinners Rest, after the mill workers who lived in historic Ancoats; and Queen Adelaide, after another former pub around the corner on the main Ancoats Road.
Richard Kershaw, CEO of Joseph Holt, said: “As a family business with deep roots in the area, our pubs are very much at the very heart of the communities where they are located.
“With the moving forward of long-awaited refurbishment of The Shamrock – and with it a new name – we wanted our customers to feel part of the journey.
“So we brainstormed names for the pub that would respect the past and the local area while also looking to the future. Now we’re letting the people who matter most to us, our customers, decide which one to use.”
You can place your vote on the new name for The Shamrock pub HERE. One participant who picks the winning name will receive free drinks vouchers.
Thomas Melia -
25th October 2024 
