You may not have come across the phrase ‘osteria’ before, but all you really need to know is that it’s Italian, involves food and drink, and the concept is coming to one of the most exciting new developments in Stockport.
Put simply, an osteria is somewhere that typically serves up wine and simple, rustic food in a more laid-back setting; they’re even more chill and perhaps extra focused on gathering friends and the communal side of the culinary world than a traditional trattoria.
However, the lines have been blurred over time, and in fact, it’s The Social Trattoria over in Poynton, just on the Cheshire border, that is bringing this concept to the flourishing Greater Manchester town.
Being headed up their team and property firm, Capital and Centric, who will be providing the space for the new social-first foodie spot, it will form a popular hospitality hub in the middle of a new mini-district.
The first CGI of the soon-to-open space. (Credit: Supplied)
That epicentre is the soon-to-be fully reborn Weir Mill: a new housing, business and leisure neighbourhood revolving around the old Grade II-listed cotton factory of the same name.
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Scheduled to open later this year and deliver more than 250 new homes, a slate of cafes and bars (as well as Social Osteria), not to mention lots of new jobs, the aim is to make it one of the most vibrant places with an SK postcode.
While the Social Osteria doesn’t quite have a specific opening date just yet, it’s set to be one of the big focal points of the new and improved Weir Mill.
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Promising all of the favourites from pasta, pizzas, antipasti, Aperol, other aperitivos and plenty more, they’re hoping it’ll be a place to meet throughout the day rather than just evening dining.
Clocking in at 2000 square feet – not including the 65,000 sq ft of surrounding outdoor space, paired riverside terrace and another exciting new opening in Stockport, Weaver’s Square – they’re looking to make a big impression on the locals, as well as bring even more tourists to the up-and-coming area.
You can read more about how Weaver fits into the Weir works down here:
The Social Trattoria – the Poynton go-to founded by Will Okill, Jeremy Alexander, and Daniel Barron – was named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025 and is up for four more this year.
Co-Founder Will Okill said of the plans: “You can’t help falling in love with this building, and that’s what happened when I walked into Weir Mill.
“It was stripped back to its bare bones, but the atmosphere was already there, you could feel the character – and then the outdoor space overlooking the river sealed it; as soon as I saw it, I could picture what we’d create here.
“We’re all about taking traditional Italian cooking and making it fresh for today – everything from scratch and using locally-sourced ingredients wherever we can. Stockport’s indie food scene is booming, and we can’t wait to be part of it.” Exciting times ahead indeed.
Take a closer look at the kind of dishes and drinks you can expect Trattoria to carry over to the new Social Osteria site down below.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Font Comms)
Eats
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 -
6th March 2026 
