Archie’s has announced its latest venture – a hot-pink roller rink, diner and milkshake bar, set to open in Greater Manchester later this year.
Archie’s Atomic will be the legendary burger brand’s groundbreaking new leisure concept, also coming with an arcade area with an immersive gaming platform, private party rooms, and DJ decks.
The new venue at Trafford Palazzo will also, of course, be serving Archie’s legendary smash burgers, shakes, and waffles.
Set to be the largest roller rink in the North West, Archie’s Atomic will span a whopping 25,000 sq ft unit that was previously home to Next, with neighbours including NERF Action Xperience and Sea Life Manchester.
Family-owned Archie’s has invested £3m into the site, ready to reveal its 5,000 sq ft roller rink which will be decorated in the brand’s signature bright pink hues.
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Keen skaters of all ages will be welcomed to come for a spin, before kicking back in the dedicated milkshake bar.
Alongside the rink will be a state-of-the-art amusement arcade, and private rooms available to hire.
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Legendary Manchester burger bar Archie’s to open roller rink
The full Archie’s menu will be available, including VIP food and drink packages for the private party rooms.
The team behind the business want to recreate the all-American roller rink seen in their favourite childhood film.
Phil Holt, Project Manager at Archie’s, commented: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Archie’s Atomic to Trafford Palazzo. This venue will be unlike anything seen before in the UK.
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“Combining our iconic food and décor with a retro roller disco feel, the new venue will be complete with huge LEDs, screens, state of the art arcade games and a vibrant atmosphere.
Legendary Manchester burger bar Archie’s to open roller rink
“We believe this will take the Archie’s brand to the next level and provide an unforgettable experience for our guests.”
Mark Whittaker, Executive Director of Retail and Leisure at Peel, commented: “Archies has been a great success at Trafford Palazzo, and we have no doubt this new concept is going to be received just as positively.
“When you put it alongside the great line-up of experience-led operators such as King Pins, Legoland, and Sealife, you’ve got everything you need for a fun and enjoyable day out at Trafford Palazzo.”
Archie’s Atomic will open its roller rink destination at Trafford Palazzo on Thursday 7 November at 10am, with bookings now live HERE.
Huge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signs
Daisy Jackson
After months of swirling rumours, bakery group Gail’s has finally confirmed it’s moving to Prestwich – but locals have spotted a glaring error at the first hurdle.
The popular artisan bakery will be moving onto Bury New Road, right in the heart of the suburb and directly opposite the new Rudy’s pizzeria.
Prestwich locals have been hearing whispers of a Gail’s arriving for a few months, and finally the London-founded cafe has stuck up signs to confirm it’s on the way.
But the sign contains one crucial mistake – it’s spelled Prestwich wrong.
The red window displays now read ‘Hello Preswich. We’ll be baking here soon’.
One local messaged Gail’s to point out the error and to say it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
Gail’s has since confirmed it’s in the process of fixing the signs.
The arrival of both Gail’s and Rudy’s has already caused a stir in Prestwich, which has always been fiercely independent and has only a handful of chains within it (Greggs and Costa are perched by the tram stop).
In fact, one local business-owner shared a moving statement about his concerns for the future of local businesses just a few weeks ago.
Gail’s has confirmed it’s opening a bakery in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group
First formed in the early 1990s as a wholesale-only operation, Gail’s opened its first cafe on Hampstead High Street in 2005.
Today the brand has more than 100 sites spread across London, Oxford, Brighton and further afield, and is known more as a customer-facing cafe and bakery.
It’s famed for its freshly-baked loaves, cinnamon buns, ham and cheese croissants and coffees, and is likely to go down a storm in Prestwich.
But the signs have been causing a bit of a stir in the wrong way this weekend – in a local Facebook group, one person commented: “Not locals who own it then.”
Another described it as an ‘epic fail’.
And one person said: “Oh the DRAMA of it all.”
Someone else joked: “I cannot wait for Gais to come to Preswich.”
Hot Blobs – Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?
Daisy Jackson
It’s funny how we all turn a blind eye to the temperature outside when it comes to the Christmas Markets.
At a time of year where should probably all be hibernating inside, droves of us instead head out to brave the elements all in the name of the festivities.
Of course, the Manchester Christmas Markets sell all sorts of wares to take the edge off, and we’re not just talking about the stalls selling woollen mittens everywhere.
Our favourite winter warmers tend to take the form of a tray of piping hot garlic potatoes, or a mug of hot chocolate, or another boozy beverage that’s massively underrated.
The drink in question is a Hot Blob, which is listed on the menu at the Piccadilly Gardens markets as ‘legendary’.
A bold claim, but a lot of long-time Manc residents will understand why.
The Hot Blob is a jaw-clenchingly sweet concoction served piping hot at the Manchester Christmas Market, similar to a hot toddy.
It’s made with Australian fortified white wine, lemon, sugar, and boiling water.
Hot Blobs – Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it? Credit: The Manc Group
The drink was first invented by Yates, that well-known pub chain, which started life as Yates’s Wine Lodge up the road in Oldham.
According to Pubs of Manchester, the Hot Blob has a tendency to ‘speed up drunkenness to a young drinker’.
These days, it’s pretty rare to come across one on a menu, but back in 1990s it was a staple in a few pubs around town.
There even used to be a ‘Blob Shop’ on High Street, run by local legend Ged Ford (now in charge of the equally legendary Millstone pub), which found itself in a state of utter carnage when the IRA bomb went off.
The long-lost institution specialised in ‘cheap wine, cheap beer, and plenty of blobs’.
The old Yates Blob Shop on High Street, Manchester. Credit: deltrems@flickr
Ged sold 6,000 a week.
And while the drink may have fallen out of favour since then, there are still healthy numbers being sold at this time of year, even if they are a damn sight more expensive than they were in the 1990s (£6 a pop, plus a glass deposit).
Anyway. If you’re sick to the back teeth of the endless gluhwein being peddled across the markets, make a beeline for Manchester Winter Ale House at Piccadilly Gardens, where you can find Hot Blobs as well as boozy Vimto and cask ales.
The Manchester Christmas Markets officially end on 22 December.
Daisy Jackson -
20th July 2024 
