To mark the end of October half term and a little bit of your sanity returning, the kind folks over at Yard and Coop have decided to extend their Kids Eat Free deal for another week.
That’s at least one night’s tea sorted and still managing to save some pennies, no less.
While they might hold this promotion during most school holidays throughout the year, Manc favourite Yard and Coop have decided to once again be the legends that they are by celebrating/commiserating (depending on what kind of parent you are) back-to-school time with more free chicken.
Yes, for one more week only as we prepare for the end of spooky season and half term, kids can eat absolutely free at Yard and Coop right up until this Friday, 3 November.
The catch is simple because there isn’t one, really: you can get a free children’s meal with every adult main purchased and since you’re the one taking them there in the first place, it’s not like you weren’t going to eat, is it?
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If you’ve eaten at the Northern Quarter institution before, (we hope that’s all of you), you’ll know the kid’s menu is just as good value for money as the adult one. Promising a main and a dessert for just a fiver, you can get their chicken ‘nugz’, chicken mayo burger, or even vegan fried chicken — all of which come with a drink and either chips, mac n’ cheese or salad.
Dessert’s a simpler one that no child is going to turn down: ice cream with sprinkles or flavoured milk of your choice. Bob’s your uncle — and if he has kids, we’d recommend he bring them here too.
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The best part of all is if you’re still waiting for your energy to return after a long couple of weeks of having the kids at home, there are games, LEGO, crayons and other bits to keep the little ones busy whilst you sit back and reward yourself for another top parenting job done well. And, of course, you can still eat for a tenner too.
Once again, this deal only usually applied during the school holidays but luckily owners Carl and Laura Morris have kids of their own and know how much little deals like this can help appease the tiny terrors on a weeknight, so they’re giving you a few more days to make the most of it.
As for the food side of stuff, they never fail to deliver some of the best chicken in Manchester at good prices and in this case of you students, you’ll be glad to know that ‘Wing Wednesdays’ are back too.
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Danny Jones -
30th October 2023 
