The team behind local pizzeria Nell’s have confirmed plans to take over the former Croma site in Manchester city centre.
Famed for their enormous 22-inch pizzas, cooked on New York-style crusts that don’t collapse down your arms, Nell’s is the brainchild of the founders of Common and The Beagle.
Since launching inside the kitchens of Common in the Northern Quarter, Nell’s has become something of a household name and now has a large restaurant at Kampus too.
And now they’re moving into one of the most glaringly vacant sites in the city centre, promising to transform the former Croma restaurant.
Croma had long been a family favourite Italian restaurant (and still is with its remaining sites in Chorlton and Prestwich) but suddenly shut down its city centre site in 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT
The beautiful space on Clarence Street, just off Albert Square, has been vacant for more than two years.
In that time, Piccolino Caffé Grande has undergone a refurb, a huge Malmaison hotel has opened next door, and Albert Square itself is still… well, still covered in scaffolding.
ADVERTISEMENT
Credit: Nell’sCredit: The Manc GroupManchester pizza legends Nell’s confirm plans to take over former Croma site
A planning application has now been submitted by A Place Called Common to turn the old Croma restaurant into a Nell’s pizza joint.
You can expect their usual menu of 22″ pizzas and 14″ slices, plus ice cream sandwiches, cocktails and beers.
This will mark the fourth location for Nell’s, which currently operates from Common on Edge Street, The Beagle in Chorlton, and Kampus.
Nell’s on Clarence Street is set to open this autumn.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Daisy Jackson -
10th April 2024 
