A total of 500 free meals are set to be handed out to people in Manchester city centre this week to help combat Blue Monday and the old January blues.
If there’s one thing that always cheers us up, it’s free food.
The brand-new food-to-go brand Good Eats, from the same people behind YO! Sushi, is announcing itself to Manchester locals with an irresistible offer that’ll make sure you remember their name.
Popping up over at their own Good Eats kiosk in the Tesco Express on Market Street, they’ll be handing out free customisable deli trays every day from Monday, 15 January until Friday and all you have to do to grab one is simply turn up and say the right phrase. Easy as.
Credit: Good Eats (supplied)
With their customisable deli trays usually priced at £7.95 each being handed out for free, the new delivery and click-and-collect service is giving away nearly £4,000 of free food to us Mancs.
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From crispy chicken karaage tossed in a spicy Korean sauce with a side of sweet potato wedges and crunchy Asian slaw, veggie-friendly Moroccan ‘No ‘Meat’balls’ in a rich tomato sauce with Persian salad and customer favourite mac ‘n’ cheese on the side, they aren’t skimp on the selection or serving sizes.
Giving out 100 free meals per day throughout the week of Blue Monday from 11am until 5pm, you simply need to turn up at the kiosk and quote the code ‘DELITRAYTODAY‘ to secure some free scran.
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We’re feeling a bit more cheered up already.
100 free meals up for grabs per day from Manchester’s Tesco Express store on Market Street.
And the good news doesn’t stop there either. Good Eats will be extending the joy with some brilliant ongoing savings. Tesco Clubcard holders in Manchester will also be able to make the most of their new Good Eats kiosk with exclusive Meal Deals.
Customers can choose from any breakfast main and hot drink for just £2.95 every morning, including nourishing berry porridge or a naughty full English wrap, but things get even better at lunchtime when you can get a bowl, salad or wrap with a side and drink for a £5.95. Absolute bargain.
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Favourites include the flavour-packed peri-peri chicken bowl, smokey harissa chicken wrap, Persian salad and many, many more.
It goes without saying that once the word gets out, these free meals are going to be snapped up fast, but luckily you’ve got five whole days to try and get your hands on some and Good Eats has plenty of other offers running throughout January.
Free food is always a nice pick me up but here are some other resources in case you’re struggling at any point this month:
Viral Korean street food brand Bunsik is coming to the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
Korean street food brand Bunsik is branching out, with a brand-new restaurant confirmed for the Trafford Centre.
Set to open later this year, the London-born brand will be bringing its viral Korean corn dogs – with cheese pulls that stretch as far as your arms will go – to the huge shopping centre.
As well as that, Bunsik is famed for classic Korean street food dishes like ttekbokki, crispy fried chicken, and kimbap.
The Korean favourite already has a popular site over in Manchester city centre, opening up on Piccadilly Gardens back in 2023.
Bunsik is set to open in the Trafford Centre’s The Orient food hall in June, taking over the old Shere Khan unit.
It joins other recent openings like Joe & The Juice, Jerk Junction, and the brand-new Eastern Garden dining area which is home to Blanchflower, Chit n Chaat, and Hello Oriental.
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Bunsik to Trafford Centre this summer.
“It’s a brand that brings something fresh, fun and exciting to our food lineup, and we know our visitors are going to love it.”
Korean corn dogs from BunsikThe existing Bunsik at Piccadilly Gardens
Jae Cho, founder of Bunsik, said: “We have been truly overwhelmed by the incredible love and support Manchester has shown us since we opened at Piccadilly Gardens.
“Seeing so many people enjoy our food every day gave us the confidence to believe that Bunsik could truly become a nationwide brand.
“It confirmed that the UK’s love for Korean street food is even stronger than we imagined.
“With that same energy and confidence, we are now thrilled to bring Bunsik to the iconic Trafford Centre. We hope our new home becomes just as beloved a spot for everyone in Manchester and the surrounding areas. We can’t wait to welcome you all very soon!”
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is returning to Manchester next month
Daisy Jackson
One of the world’s silliest and most-loved experiences is returning to Manchester this year, offering people the chance to step inside the world of Fawlty Towers.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience sees immersive theatre blend with a three-course dinner, bringing Britain’s most infamous hotel to life.
Fans of the hit 1970s comedy will enjoy two hours of mayhem led by Basil, Sybil and Manuel, all while tucking into a delicious era-appropriate meal.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience has become an immersive dining phenomenon, scooping awards and selling out venues across the globe since launching almost 30 years ago.
In the years since, it’s welcomed more than one million guests, celebrated 13 years of its West End residency in London, and hosted celebrations for 50 years of the original BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers.
And now it’s Manchester’s turn, with the event returning to our city between 3 and 15 February.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is returning to ManchesterThe event is hosted by actors playing Basil, Sybil and ManuelAround 70% of the action is improvisedGuests are served a three-course 70s-inspired meal during the Faulty Towers experienceCredit: Rosie Powell
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience will be taking over the Voco hotel on Portland Street for a limited run, starring Aaron Millard as ‘Basil’, Rebecca Norris as ‘Sybil’, and Simon Hourihan as ‘Manuel’.
You can definitely expect two hours of theatre, chaos, and a 70s-inspired three-course meal, but with around 70% of the performances completely improvised, we can’t tell you much more than that…
Producer Jared Harford said: “It’s such a joy to be bringing Basil and the team back to Manchester. After such an incredible 2025 celebrating 50 years of Fawlty Towers, we can’t wait to continue sharing the laughter, chaos and community spirit that make this show so special.”
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience in Manchester:
Tuesday 3 February to Sunday 15 February
Tuesday to Saturday – doors open 6.45pm, seating and show starts 7.30pm
Saturday and Sunday – doors open 12.45pm, seating and show starts 1.30pm
Ticket prices, all including three-course meal and two hour immersive experience:
Tuesday to Thursday dinner, and Saturday or Sunday lunch – £67.50 pp (including fees) Friday or Saturday dinner £71.50 pp (including fees). Bookings can be made via the box office on (+44) 020 3700 3138 or online at www.faultytowersdining.com
Danny Jones -
15th January 2024 
