Oi Dumplings, a firm favourite independent business at the Manchester Christmas Markets, has been left devastated after a fire destroyed their new restaurant.
The beloved Vietnamese business only opened its first proper restaurant of its own in July of this year, a beautiful, terracotta-painted neighbourhood spot in the picturesque village of Marsden.
Prior to that, they had been trading from a tiny cabin with no indoor seating and doing the rounds of street food events, including the Manchester Christmas Markets.
But earlier this week, Oi Dumplings’ stunning little restaurant totally ‘perished’ in a freak fire, triggering a huge outpouring of grief and support from the local community and friends of the business (us included).
The fire was started in their brand-new, switched-off tumble dryer and has devastated the space they so carefully designed and built.
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Oi Dumplings is now going through the lengthy process of insurance before they can begin to rebuild – but with the Manchester Christmas Markets barely two weeks away, they’ve issued a plea for help.
Founders Mollie Power and Maisie Davies now desperately need somewhere to prep for the markets, a key income stream for any small independent.
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The beautiful Oi Dumplings restaurant in Marsden, opened in July, has been devastated by a fire. Credit: Instagram
They’re seeking a temporary space where they can do the pain-staking work of making their own handmade dumplings.
Oi Dumplings said ‘we’re not giving up’, adding: “The markets played a massive part in funding our restaurant, and we hope that it will play its future role in rebuilding our restaurant.”
They also quipped: “In times of darkness we are looking for the light and luckily enough for us, there’s a great big massive hole in the roof of the building.
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“So there we go, we will move and do the only thing we can right now. Steam some award winning dumplings for the Manchester Christmas Markets.”
Their full statement is below and if you can help them get back on their feet, you can message them on Instagram HERE.
Oi Dumplings’ statement after fire
Food at Oi Dumplings in Marsden. Credit: The Manc Group
I remember when we started ‘Oi’ with nothing. We were both teaching online and doing random delivery jobs for Amazon during the pandemic. We spent £120 on ingredients and packaging. We used the ice packs and delivery bags that we had from Amazon to deliver our little dumplings around Yorkshire and Manchester. We were so worried we wouldn’t get that money back. When we posted about our new venture online, embarrassment and fear crept in. I remember crying in bed thinking ‘What have we done? No one is going to buy these dumplings from a random person online.’ How wrong we were. I guess you don’t know till you try.
Fast forward four years, a series of fortunate events, countless hours and hard work. We moved from Gazebo, to the Cabin, to Manchester Christmas Markets.
After four years of working our asses off, we found ourselves in a position where we could buy our first business and renovate a space. It was so amazing to see our vision come alive and even better that we would be INSIDE. How lucky. How blessed. How glorious. But as we all know, life is a series of tests. And my god it is testing us. Riding high in April, shot down in May.
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We then faced problem after problem. Planning, licensing, court hearings. And now the pièce de résistance. A fire – caused by spontaneous combustion in the tumble dryer. Guys, never trust your dryer, ours was brand new and turned off.
And so we are left with a perished establishment. What isn’t burnt, is damaged by smoke and water. It was lucky that the fire was caught when it was. To the team of brave professionals that put the fire out, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Over the past few days we have been inundated with messages from our customers, friends and family. We have taken the time to read every single one. Words of encouragement and offers to lend a helping hand in any way possible. How beautiful. The community we surround ourselves with is truly and utterly astonishing. So what can we do now?
The only thing we can focus on now is the courage to move forward whilst our premises are in the hands of our insurers. We have the Manchester Christmas Markets around the corner and we are in urgent need of a temporary space to prep in, and we need your help to find that space. The team at Manchester Markets have kindly delayed our final payment to give us room to replace the equipment that perished in the fire. The markets played a massive part in funding our restaurant, and we hope that it will play its future role in rebuilding our restaurant. We’re not giving up. In times of darkness we are looking for the light and luckily enough for us, there’s a great big massive hole in the roof of the building. So there we go, we will move and do the only thing we can right now. Steam some award winning dumplings for the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Please, please, please share this post and help us find our temporary home?!
The Cut and Craft are hosting a bottomless Boxing Day brunch this year
Danny Jones
This holiday season, The Cut and Craft are hosting an extra lavish take on their usual bottomless brunch on Boxing Day.
Suddenly, we’re looking forward to 26 December maybe even more than our mam’s Christmas dinner…
Yes, the much-loved steak and seafood restaurant is already well-known for one of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, not to mention evening meals, but they always elevate things even further over the festive period.
Promising top ingredients, the best booze labels you could ask for, as well as stunning service in an even more stunning room, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to make the most of your toasts this Boxing Day – and don’t worry, vegetarians: there are some great options for you, too.
Typically held over a long weekend, The Cut and Craft bank holiday bottomless brunch will be held for the last time this year on the final Friday of 2025. You couldn’t ask for more perfect timing than that.
The group have transformed the beautiful room in the heart of the city into what they’ve dubbed “a scene straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.
Adorned with grand wreaths, the reliable warmth of twinkling fairy lights, stockings hanging in front of the fire in ‘The Gossip Room’, plus Santa guarding the wine cellar, the only thing more inviting than the space is the menu.
Besides the usual 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as DJs, live entertainment and dancers, the food offerings include flat iron steak and chips served on a hot stone with a grilled tomato and signature salt.
If you prefer something to steer away from the red meat/have already had plenty over Christmas, you can go for grilled seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut and cauliflower sauce, OR opt for the halloumi fajitas packed with roasted peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa and chive sour cream.
You can even load these up even further with the addition of free-range British chicken breast, rump steak (if you change your mind on the day), and even king prawns.
We’re almost drooling just thinking about all this – as are our mates from The Hoot after confirming the same promotion is available at their equally gorgeous sites over in Leeds.
Veggie options are Cut & Craft’s ‘Redefine Flank Steak & Chips’ (tender flank-style cut of plant-based steak), or spicy cauliflower wings, served with broad beans, English garden peas, buckwheat, baby gem, baby spinach, broccoli couscous, toasted cashews, pistachio crumb, and maple-mustard dressing.
Once again, all of this can be tweaked here and there by the exceptional waiting staff; for instance, if you’d rather wine than champers, you can always swap the bubbly for Whispering Angel Rosé, which will be served straight from their limitless fountain.
Guests who fancy visiting Cut and Craft for Boxing Day 2025 can choose between a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55, or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75.
The full Moët fizz upgrade package will set you back £100, if you’re really looking to indulge yourself this year, and who could blame you? It’s a long, old winter, after all.
If you’re interested in securing your seat at 38-42 Mosley St, bookings are available from 1pm onwards, and you can reserve your table right HERE.
Three Manchester pubs are officially serving some of the best Guinness in the UK
Daisy Jackson
Guinness has released the first edition of its Harp Guide, which has highlighted the best pubs around the UK to grab a pint of the black stuff – and three are here in Manchester.
The iconic Irish brewery has singled out just 35 British pubs that are serving worthy pints of Guinness stout.
Of the three in Manchester that made the list, one is a legendary Irish pub in the city centre, while the other two are neighbours out in the suburbs.
Up first is – unsurprisingly – Mulligans of Deansgate, an authentic Irish pub in the heart of Manchester city centre that’s been a popular watering hole for Mancs for more than a century, selling more than 13,000 pints a week.
The pub expanded last year and now has two spaces – its traditional, den-like ground floor, and its much larger live music space with vaulted ceilings upstairs.
Pádraig Brady, owner of Mulligans, said: “Being recognised in the inaugural Guinness Harp Guide is a real privilege.
“It’s no secret that every pub gets the same kegs of Guinness delivered, but what makes the difference is everything that happens after that.
“The right equipment, correct cellar procedures and conditions, staff who know how to pour it perfectly, the atmosphere, the daily live music – it all matters. We’ve always focused on doing things consistently, and being the sole Manchester city centre pub in the guide is testament to that consistency.”
Mulligans in Manchester is in the Guinness Harp Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Next in the Harp Guide is Kennedy’s in Didsbury, a pub which has only been open since August following the success of its original location in Altrincham.
The pub recently welcomed Yard & Coop into its kitchens too, so you can get a traditional Irish spice bag with your Guinness.
Kennedy’s said: “We are super excited to announce that we, amongst 34 other bars across GB, have been selected for the Offical Guinness Harp Guide 2026.
“Not only is this an exceptional achievement within the Guinness community, but it’s an accolade that represents everything we work towards here at Kennedy’s Irish Bar.
“The Guinness Harp Guide celebrates those few bars that capture the warmth, character, and vibrancy that makes enjoying a Guinness so special, and of course, those that serve beautiful Guinness’.”
Completing the list is The Station pub, also in Didsbury, a cosy local favourite and key stop on the legendary Didsbury Dozen pub crawl.
This popular Irish pub has sports, live music three nights a week and a serious love of Guinness – and now it’s officially one of Britain’s best spots to drink it.
These are officially the spots to head if you’re a discerning Guinness fan.
Daisy Jackson -
24th October 2024 
