Eats

Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying

That's taking dine-and-dash to new extremes

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th August 2026

Noodle Alley, a cosy restaurant in Chinatown, has shared CCTV footage of a customer literally running away with an unpaid bill.

The noodle bar is famed for its spicy dishes, hailing from co-owner Wendy Ren’s native Sichuan province.

It’s become a firm favourite in Manchester’s Chinatown since launching in 2023 – but the team have been left stung by a customer dine-and-dash this week.

And it’s the most literal case of a dine-and-dash we’ve ever seen, with CCTV footage shared by Noodle Alley showing the moment the customer sprints out the door, with impressive speed for a man in sliders.

The video also shows the staff chasing the runaway customer, to no avail.

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In a heartfelt statement shared online, Noodle Alley said that ‘every meal matters’ when small businesses like theirs are struggling with rising costs.

They also said that the CCTV has been sent to the police in the hopes of catching the man.

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In their full statement, Noodle Alley wrote: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.

“This isn’t just about the money. Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.

“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.

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“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.

“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.

“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you. Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Massive rock, paper, scissors tournament with BIG pizza prizes takes over Trafford Centre this week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Forbici is opening at the Trafford Centre

A thousand free pizzas will be up for grabs to celebrate one of Greater Manchester’s newest restaurant openings this week.

That’s right – award-winning Neapolitan pizzeria Forbici is officially opening at the Trafford Centre.

From 11am until 12:30pm this Wednesday (5 August), Forbici will be giving away up to 1,000 full-sized pizzas, so visitors to the shopping centre will have the chance to taste what has recently been declared one of the best pizzas in the world without needing to spend a penny.

Following the opening of its first site on Cross Street in the city centre last year, before expanding over to Sheffield, this new 7,000-capacity Trafford Centre space at The Orient will be Forbici’s third restaurant in the UK and the second in Greater Manchester.

Crafted with signature three-generation ‘biga dough’, slow fermented to create a light, airy crust, alongside carefully sourced Italian ingredients, it’s no secret that Forbici offers some of the finest pizza in town.

Forbici is opening in the Trafford Centre this summer
Every pizza is served with scissors at Forbici
Forbici is opening at the Trafford Centre this week / Credit: The Manc Group

And staying true to its name, every pizza is cut with scissors before being served.

The celebrations will then continue on Friday (August) as Forbici’s newest restaurant transforms into the home of Europe’s biggest Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament hosted by Manchester’s viral foodie content creator, Zack Hipps.

Across four sessions, you’ll have the chance to test your luck, speed, and strategy in a bid to be crowned champion – with tournaments taking place every hour from 11:30am.

Inspired by the pizzeria’s name, Forbici – which is, of course, the Italian word for ‘scissors’ – competitors will go head-to-head in fast paced knockout battles throughout the afternoon, with prizes up for grabs at every session and the winner of each game getting to take home a year’s supply of Forbici pizza.

There’ll also be a couple of exclusive local-themed pizza specials to celebrate the new opening too, including Forbici’s indulgent Manchester Tart pizza, and the Lancashire Hotpot pizza, which combines Fior di Latte, slow-cooked Lamb Ragù, and cracked black pepper on Forbici’s signature Biga base.

The Manchester special pizzas are also available at Forbici’s city centre restaurant as well, so you can feast wherever you find yourself.

Toni Dennan at Forbici said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring our innovative pizza craft to the Trafford Centre. To celebrate, we’re giving away 1,000 pizzas, inviting guests to experience Forbici on us.”

“Forbici is all about pushing pizza craft to new heights,” commented Forbici’s Toni Dennan. “Opening at Trafford Centre gives us the opportunity to share our passion for proper pizza with even more people.”

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Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Forbici to Trafford Centre, offering an innovative pizza concept to shoppers and leisure seekers alike. With a huge giveaway and exciting Rock, Paper Scissors tournament, Forbici’s opening week is not one to be missed and we look forward to welcoming customers down to the centre to celebrate its arrival.”

Forbici Trafford Centre is opening this Wednesday 5 August, and bookings are now live online here.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

Eats

An award-winning vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed – and will become an Irish pub

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Allotment vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed

One of Manchester’s most celebrated restaurants has closed its doors for good, ahead of a major relaunch as an Irish pub. 

The Allotment paved the way for vegan dining not just in our city, but across the UK, scooping up awards as it went. 

But now the acclaimed restaurant, which stands directly opposite the magnificent Manchester Cathedral, has closed down. 

In a statement shared online, The Allotment founder and CEO Anthony Sheridan announced that the restaurant will cease to exist in its current guise, as they prepare to invest in the future of the beautiful building. 

Anthony has announced that in the coming months, the space will be transformed into The Sheridan Fiddle, a ‘premium Irish hospitality venue’. 

Soon, visitors can expect to see ‘traditional homemade Irish food, perfectly poured Guinness, carefully selected wines, live Irish music and, most importantly, the warm welcome that has always been at the heart of this venue’.

Looking back on almost a decade of The Allotment, the statement shared to followers has also addressed its origins, writing: “Almost ten years ago, I never set out to open one of the UK’s best vegan restaurants.

“I simply wanted to help my little boy.”

Anthony set up the business when his son, Anthony Jr, was diagnosed with Chrohn’s, understanding that a plant-based diet would help him. 

The Allotment vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed
The Allotment vegan restaurant in Manchester has closed
Signs in the door of Allotment Manchester
Signs in the door of Allotment Manchester

The statement continued: “What happened next was something I could never have imagined.

“Together, we built something truly special.

“Over the last decade, The Allotment was named Best Vegetarian Restaurant in the North West, Best Vegan Restaurant in the UK for two consecutive years, and was recognised as the 47th Best Vegan Restaurant in the World.

“But the awards were never the greatest achievement.

“The greatest achievement has been the people, our incredible team, our loyal customers, the friendships we’ve made, and the memories we’ve shared. And seeing thousands of people walk through our doors over the years.”

Anthony Jr is now living in Dubai and running his own gym, which has left Anthony to make the decision to ‘evolve’ the business. 

“After a huge amount of thought, we’ve made the decision to begin a new chapter for this beautiful building,” he wrote. 

“Rather than closing its doors, we’re investing in its future.”

His statement continues: “Although the concept is changing, one thing never will… Our commitment to making people feel welcome.

“This building has spent the last ten years bringing people together over great food.

“Now, we’re excited for it to spend the next ten years bringing people together in a different way.

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“To every single person who has visited us, supported us, recommended us, celebrated with us or simply believed in what we were trying to create… Thank you.

“You haven’t just supported a restaurant. You’ve been part of our family’s story.

“I hope you’ll join us for the next chapter. Welcome to The Sheridan Fiddle.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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