After revealing the news that they are set to open their eighth regional restaurant in Prestwich, Rudy’s has announced they will be giving away a whopping 3,000 free pizzas to mark the occasion.
Who doesn’t love free pizza?
Yes, after confirming the seemingly inevitable earlier this year, Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana is set to land in yet another Greater Manchester suburb, with the latest location their 29th in the country all told and they show no signs of slowing down.
However, while we seem to be hearing about a new Rudy’s opening almost every few weeks now, it’s not all that often a new arrival comes with the promise of free pizza – certainly not 3000 of them, anyway.
Rudy’s is giving away free pizza this December. (Credit: The Manc Group)
The new pizzeria will be located right in the heart of Prestwich, transforming the former and beautiful Barclays Bank building situated on Bury New Road, which has stood vacant ever since August 2022.
A spacious 3,000 sq ft venue, it will offer an impressive max capacity of 150 covers, including a 30-seat covered courtyard to retain the charm of the building’s original features and keep in line with many of the other restaurants’ al fresco offerings.
Not only will this mark eight different regional sites (the previous being Rudy’s Altrincham back in July) but it’s also their first foray into North Manchester, specifically.
As per the announcement, the new site promises to deliver “a fresh new dining option to Prestwich’s blossoming food and drink scene, offering its famous pizzas, delicious dips, and classic Italian desserts”, all while nailing the classic Rudy’s vibe on a prime high-street location.
The brand has only gotten bigger and better since it first debuted back in 2015, famously going on to be named among the best in Europe, and now slowly turning more and more sites into pizza spots.
As for how you can get your hands on free Neapolitan pizzas when Rudy’s Prestwich opens, don’t worry, it’s all rather simple.
Just a glimpse of the food that will be on offer at Rudy’s Pizza Prestwich. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Rudy’s Prestwich is set to open this December – just in time for festive specials to land on the new menu – and all you have to do is sign up to their mailing list HERE to stand a chance of notching not one but two free pizzas for you and a guest.
It’s a quick and simple form too, so you don’t have to go through a load of faff to try and land a freebie. As mentioned, there’s a total of 3,000 pizzas to be given away but there’ll be plenty of other fans fighting over them.
Although the official opening date for the latest location has yet to be set, there is still some reticence on the Prestwich foodie scene in particular, as local and beloved independents are understandably worried about what the arrival of the popular chain could mean for business.
Historic Manchester pub issues apology for ’embarrassing’ toilets and asks for support
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s most iconic pubs, Mr Thomas’s Chop House, is finally undergoing a major upgrade after admitting its building has become an ’embarrassment’.
The historic Cross Street boozer has shared a public apology for the ‘deteriorating’ state of its stunning building.
Mr Thomas’s Chop House is now pleading for support from punters as it undergoes the weeks-long scheme of improvements.
Visitors will find a reduced menu while renovations are taking place.
The pub said that it’s aware that the Grade II-listed pub has been in need of improvement for a while, but explained these works have been hampered by leasing issues.
Mr Thomas’s Chop House explained that it’s been ‘existing on over 30 short-term lease extensions for 8 years while our landlords negotiated with the superior landlord’.
It’s left them unable to invest into the building – until now.
The pub will be adding brand-new toilets downstairs (they said the old ones were ‘an embarrassment’), as well as improving the kitchens and adding a new beer cellar.
In their statement, Mr Thomas’s Chop House said: “First of all, we owe you, our loyal customers, an apology.
Mr Thomas’s Chop House is undergoing a refurb
“Over the past few years bits of our stunning building have deteriorated. The toilets have become a bit of an embarrassment. We are sorry.
“The fact is, we (The Victorian Chop House Company) have been existing on over 30 short-term lease extensions for 8 years while our landlords negotiated with the superior landlord.
“As a result of this uncertainty we haven’t been able to invest into the fabric of the building.
“But now the wait is finally over. And together with our landlords we are finally beginning a scheme of renovations which will return Tom’s to the state it should be in!”
Work began last week and is expected to last for around three weeks.
They also wrote: “Things will be slightly different but we are so excited. Please help us stay afloat while we work to restore Tom’s.”
The brilliant Persian cafe in disguise as a greasy spoon that’s just had a star turn on TV
Daisy Jackson
A family-run, often-overlooked restaurant in Chorlton had a star turn on TV last night, when The Hotel Inspector paid a visit to the Chorlton Metro Cafe.
From the outside, this place looks very much like your run-of-the-mill greasy spoon, and it sort of is, with fry-ups and breakfast sandwiches up for grabs.
But beyond that, this is the spot to come for an authentic, hearty, home-cooked Persian food.
And it’s this strange dual identity that has caught the attention of Channel 5 this year, and given the business a full episode of The Hotel Inspector.
Alex Polizzi and her crew headed to Chorlton earlier this year to assist husband and wife Majid and Zahra in a rebrand to become The Persian Stop (the sign still hasn’t changed, but bear with them here).
During the episode, The Hotel Inspector tackled everything from a menu overhaul to a spruce-up of the restaurant’s frontage, and ran a cost evaluation, hoping to help Majid and Zahra to increase custom.
A full spread of the new Persian dishesMajid at Chorlton Metro Cafe with his new pancake dishFantastic pancakes at Chorlton Metro Cafe
And there were other familiar faces involved too – Channel 5 called on social media experts The Manc (oh wait, that’s us!) to help Majid understand the power of social media.
The couple moved to the UK from Iran more than 20 years ago, and Majid ran a successful construction business – until the financial crisis of 2008.
The pair then poured their life savings into the Metro Cafe, a greasy spoon just across the road from Chorlton tram stop.
Behind the scenes of The Hotel Inspector
They kept the full builder’s breakfasts and mugs of tea, but added a new string of Persian stews and fragrant rice dishes to the menu.
Now, with the help of The Hotel Inspector, the menu puts these ancient dishes front and centre.
Expect slices of syrupy baklava for only £2.80, and traditional stews like khoresh bademjan (slow-cooked aubergines with split peas and lamb) and khoresh fesenjan (saffron, ground walnut and pomegranate chicken).
This is a small business, run by a fantastic local couple, and one of those hidden gems that deserves to be a little less hidden.
Danny Jones -
9th October 2024 
