Sports nutrition and clothing company Myprotein have opened up a brand new concept store in Manchester city centre, the first of its kind which aims to not only showcase their products but educate those who stop by.
The overall fitness brand might already have a base in Manchester but this is the first time the city has seen a brick-and-mortar Myprotein Kitchen location available to the public.
Opening on 14 October on Mosley Street just between St Peter’s Square and Piccadilly Gardens, the company’s new ‘nutrition kitchen’ concept offers those interested in getting fit or simply eating better the chance to eat in or order healthy food to takeaway, meet fitness experts, network and plenty more.
Showcasing their various Activewear, supplements and accessories, all of which will be available to purchase then and there, as well as activities and special events. There’s a lot of stuff going on in this space — you can even come here to recycle your old protein scoops.
Credit: The Manc Group
After popping our heads in to see what all the fuss was about, we were pretty impressed right from the off, to be honest. Featuring two large rooms where you can sample their healthy food and drink options, socialise with friends, get a bit of work done or even just nip in for a coffee, it feels like a real multi-purpose space.
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The menu includes everything from protein pancakes, three-egg omelettes with your choice of toppings; frozen yoghurt bark and smoked salmon bagels for breakfast, to chipotle chicken salad, teriyaki turkey meatballs, protein flatbreads and a one-pot lentil dahl for dinner (lunch). Everything we tried was just as filling as it was delicious.
And, of course, there are lots of cleansing juices and freshly made protein shakes, as well as the usual powders, supplements and nutritious snacks if you just need to top up your supply.
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Yes, not only is the place packed full of Myprotein’s bread and butter supplements and nutrition products but also their wide range of MP Activewear and accessories, which a few members of The Manc team already own and can vouch for their quality.
Open seven days a week from Saturday, 14 October, we already know this place is going to be extremely popular. In fact, there was a constant stream of people trying to come inside and try it out whilst we were getting our sneak peek, and if that isn’t a good omen we don’t know what is.
Speaking on the opening, CEO of THG Nutrition Neil Mistry, said: “Quickly following on from our recent brand evolution, we’re so excited for Myprotein to step foot into ‘own retail’ with a concept store in the heart of the city the brand was born in.
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“With a unique combination of great menu choices, events, talks and ways to get active, Myprotein Kitchen is here to activate all of Manchester’s healthy intentions, championing everyone to live a healthier, more active life.”
While the headquarters might be in Northwich, Cheshire, Myprotein’s foundations are here in Greater Manchester, so the city centre was the perfect place to try out this new concept store and we’re going to go ahead and say it works.
Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display
Daisy Jackson
Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it.
The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure.
Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap.
And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.
Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub.
As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots.
There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet.
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pubDelicious spring drinksInside The Tavern at The Black Friar
A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals.
Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta.
And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut.
Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce.
“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar.
“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”
Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather!
“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”
To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE.
Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.
With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.
Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.
They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.
The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.
And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.
Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.
They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”
They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.
British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.
A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.
Danny Jones -
13th October 2023 
