Sale Foodhall, one of the first independent businesses to open in the redeveloped Stanley Square, has announced its shock closure.
The Trafford business blended a convenience store, where shoppers could pick up their basic groceries as well as items produced by local suppliers, with a food hall space hosting a rotation of street food operators.
Sale Foodhall is part of the Store Group, which also operates Ancoats General Store, Stretford Food Hall, and Deansgate Square General Store.
The group quickly earned themselves the title of ‘Manchester’s coolest corner shops’ and have been praised for revitalising town centres around the region.
But in a statement shared today, Sale Foodhall said that the ‘unprecedented cost increases’ over the last year have pushed it to closure, with its last day of trading named as 2 April 2023.
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The statement wrote that it had been ‘tough to let it go’ and is now focused on ‘keeping our colleagues in jobs’.
Sale Foodhall first opened as a Groceries and Beer site in 2019, before expanding and relaunching as a food hall concept in 2021.
In its statement, the business shared: “Dear all – An update to share regarding our wonderful Sale Foodhall…
“After facing unprecedented cost increases over the last 12 months, we are unable to keep the business moving forward sustainably. Sadly, we have made the decision that Sale Foodhall will close. We will be trading up to and including the 2nd April 2023.
“We share this news with a heavy heart. It is really tough at the moment for hospitality businesses, independent businesses, retailers, makers – everyone really! We know that you, our guests and followers, are feeling it too and we’re sorry that we couldn’t keep serving you in Sale.
“As one of the first independent businesses to arrive in Stanley Square, it’s been wonderful to be a part of the journey of the town so far. We have become so invested – it’s tough to let it go but we have not been able to find a way forward. Rising costs, especially in terms of power, have proved insurmountable for us here in Sale. We take with us warm memories of Groceries & Beer and witnessing the transformation of the mall!
“Our priority is to keep our colleagues in jobs and so we’re focussed on that right now. Our Stretford Foodhall remains open.
“We’d like to thank all the talented traders, makers, creators and everyone else who has been part of our story in Sale. And especially our customers who have welcomed us into the community from day one. Warm thanks to all the team at Stanley Square who have supported our journey since we met in 2019.
“Wishing all our neighbours and fellow businesses the best – Onwards and upwards – to everyone.”
Featured image: Sale Foodhall
Eats
The Lawn Club closes temporarily after bar brawl at event leaves ‘trail of blood’ on floor
Daisy Jackson
The Lawn Club has been temporarily instructed to close after a fight last weekend left a trail of blood on the floor outside.
The popular Spinningfields sun-trap bar has said that it’s cooperating fully with Greater Manchester Police and Manchester City Council while the incident is investigated.
A report from GMP said that ‘a large group of people’ were fighting at the city centre bar, one of whom reportedly was seen with a gun, which was thankfully not fired.
At 10.25pm on Sunday 4 June, North West Ambulance service reported that a male had been stabbed in the leg but ‘the knife was no longer in his leg and they didn’t know where it was’.
The victim got up and walked away, and has still not been traced.
The incident happened during an event that was organised by a third party promoter.
The Lawn Club provided CCTV footage to officers, which showed two males arguing before a third appeared with a black handgun.
A spokesperson for the venue said: “On Sunday 4th June, an incident occurred at The Lawn Club, the premises operated by Hardman Bars. This was during an event organised by a third party promoter.
The Lawn Club is temporarily closed. Credit:The Manc Group
“As a result of this incident, we have been instructed to close the premises temporarily. We also recognise and fully comply with the request by GMP and Manchester City Council, received at a hearing on 07.06.23, for a temporary suspension of our licence while the incident is investigated and reviewed in full.
“We are cooperating entirely with GMP and Manchester City Council to provide any information they require in relation to the incident.
“We’d like to reassure our customers and the community that this is an isolated incident. But nevertheless, the safety of our team, customers and the community is of the highest importance to us. As such, during this period of closure, we will be actively working with the authorities and relevant parties to review all policies and procedures in place at the premises.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
Eats
The Stockport farm supper club where you eat outside in the fields
Georgina Pellant
There’s a supper club on a community farm in Stockport where you can dine outside in the very fields where your food has grown.
Hosted by Manchester food waste cafe Open Kitchen in partnership with The Kindling Trust, the journey from plot to plate has never been shorter.
The pair have joined forces to celebrate local, seasonal and sustainably produced food in the most delicious way possible – with a three-course vegan menu designed to show off the organic produce grown at The Kindling Trust’s site in Woodbank Memorial Park.
The supper will be served outside in the fields as part of a unique ‘pop-up restaurant’ experience, accompanied by paired organic wines designed to complement each dish.
Full bar service will also be provided, with provisions made for cover from the ‘Manchester weather’ if required.
Corin Bell, Exec Director of Open Kitchen said, “Messages about sustainability can sometimes feel like they are all about going without…. Don’t fly, don’t drive, etc.
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
“We want to focus on positive messages about sustainability, that focus on shifts in behaviour that are kinder to planet and people.
“The event with Kindling will showcase beautiful food and drink, and also be supporting local, sustainable, independent and ethical business, all of which are really core values for both open Kitchen and Kindling”.
Chris Walsh from the Kindling Trust said: “Events like fine dining in the fields are really important to us, because they open up the farm to members of the public, and help to really bring the message home about why local and sustainable produce is so important for our planet and our local economy”.
Located just a mile east of Stockport town centre, Woodbank Community Food Hub is an urban horticulture hub co-ordinated by the Kindling Trust that joins up inclusive community gardening with commercial organic food production.
The size of one and a half football pitches, it includes several large polytunnels for under-cover veg growing as well as three field blocks, apple trees and a community garden.
As well as hosting the dinner in the fields, it is also a place to collect fresh organic veg bags delivered by the Veg Box People, who make sure farmers get regular demand and a fair price for their produce.
Taking place from 6 to 9pm on Wednesday 21 June 2023, to find out more about the dinner and purchase tickets click here.
Daisy Jackson -
20th March 2023 
