Sacha Lord has revealed details of his 2023 Christmas campaign to support local hospitality – and he’s calling on Mancs to help.
The nighttime economy advisor and boss of Parklife and the Warehouse Project plans to showcase one brilliant business from each greater Manchester borough on the largest screen in the city.
Sacha has called upon people to nominate their favourite local operators, be it a bar in Bolton, a cafe in Salford, a restaurant in Tameside or a pub in Stockport.
Once one hospitality venue in each of the 10 boroughs has been selected, they’ll be projected onto the enormous screen that towers above Manchester near Deansgate-Castlefield station.
It’s not the first time he’s commandeered the huge screen – who could forget the time he used it to publicly shame Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the middle of the Conservative Party Conference?
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Sacha Lord‘s 2023 ‘Best in the Borough’ campaign comes at yet another testing time for the hospitality industry, with soaring energy bills and rising inflation forcing many into perilous financial positions.
He Sacha Lord said: “We want to support Greater Manchester’s local hospitality businesses this Christmas, and we are asking for the public’s help in recommending which venue they think represents the best of their borough.
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I’m delighted to announce our Xmas Campaign 2023: Best in the Borough.
Each week I’m going to pick 2 boroughs and ask YOU to reply with the Independent Hospitality venue, you think needs a bit of love and help.
“It might be your favourite restaurant, or you might just want to support your local pub which brings so much to the local community.
“In the five weeks leading up to Christmas, the independent businesses which the public have recommended most will be displayed on the largest advertising screen in Manchester.
“We are looking forward to hearing about the best venues across the ten boroughs, and supporting them with a level of Christmas advertising that only the national venues can usually afford.”
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Greater Manchester residents can vote for their favourite venue by visiting @Sacha_Lord on X (Twitter), Instagram or TikTok.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Daisy Jackson -
8th November 2023 
