A Stockport takeaway owner who is a treasured part of her community burst into tears live on air after receiving a surprise honour from ITV‘s Good Morning Britain.
A camera crew from the show appeared at Mama Flo’s Burton Road takeaway alongside weatherman Alex Beresford and I’m A Celebrity star Owen Warner, who presented the community icon with a special award in recognition of all she does for others.
The show’s One Million Minutes award, which surprises deserving loneliness heroes up and down the country, is part of a special campaign designed to acknowledge those who go the extra mile for the loneliest in their communities.
Alex Beresford presented Mama Flo, real name Florence Coke, with the award at her eatery alongside I’m A Celebrity star Owen Warner, live on TV leaving the big-hearted takeaway owner overwhelmed with gratitude.
Image: Mama Flo Facebook
Owen Warner signing autographs at the Stockport takeaway. / Image: Mama Flo Facebook
Fighting back tears, Flo, who has been feeding local pensioners for free over the Christmas holidays, told the pair: “I get up at four o’clock in the morning every morning, and when the pandemic struck, I said I felt sorry for those people who didn’t have a job, and I said I have to get out and cook for everybody in the community, and I’ve been doing that since.”
From feeding local children for free during the school holidays to giving away hundreds of free meals to key workers during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Flo, who celebrated her birthday on Boxing Day, has long been praised by people here in Greater Manchester for her work in the community. Now, she has been recognised on a national scale.
GMB presenter Susanna Reid compared the takeaway owner to Santa, whilst Alex Beresford said she was a ‘real life hero’.
“In a perfect world, there would be no need for you to do what you do,” Reid added. “But we live in a far from perfect world, and thank goodness for all of your goodness.”
Family-run tapas restaurant shames customers who stole decorations
Daisy Jackson
A family-run restaurant in Whitefield has publicly shamed a couple who stole new decorations from them.
Campo Blanco, a popular tapas joint in the Bury suburb, threatened to call ‘Santa’ over the petty theft.
Owned and operated by high school sweethearts Aaron and Faye Cummins, the charming local spot opened back in 2018 and has been a firm favourite in Whitefield ever since.
But it’s not just their tapas menu that’s caught the attention of locals – now apparently it’s their new table decorations.
Campo Blanco has shared CCTV footage of a couple who dined there recently pocketing lamps off their table.
The customer in question quietly reaches across her dinner, picks up the pretty gold lamp, turns it off, and shoves it into her coat pocket.
The restaurant shared the video online and pleaded for them to return the lamps by Christmas Eve.
They then said they’d be telling Santa – ‘and by Santa, we mean the police’.
Campo Blanco wrote: “We love our new table lights too. We actually can’t get them anymore as they’ve stopped making them so please bring them back. Also, they aren’t yours!
Viral juice brand Joe & The Juice is making a BIG return to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Popular coffee shop Joe & The Juice is making a grand return to Manchester, taking on a huge unit in the city centre.
The Danish-based business is famed for its juices, shakes, and sandwiches, including its best-seller, the Tunacado.
Joe & The Juice used to be based within Debenhams in Manchester, but moved out of town when the retailer collapsed.
Now it’s back, signing a 10-year lease on a 2,685 sq ft unit at Manchester Arndale, in the former EE store.
With more than 300 juice bars and coffee shops around the world, Joe & The Juice’s pink branding has become a familiar site globally since its launch in 2002.
It’ll be joining the likes of Michael’s Coffee House, HOP Vietnamese, Sides, Creams, Black Sheep Coffee and Lazy Sundae in the Manchester Arndale’s ever-growing food and drink line-up.
Scott Linard, Portfolio Manager for M&G Real Estate, said: “It is great to welcome Joe & The Juice back to Manchester city centre.
“They have built a brand which has become synonymous with meeting spots across UK towns and cities, so we expect them to thrive at Manchester Arndale thanks to our close proximity to city centre businesses and students keen to catch up over a bite to eat.
“Joe & The Juice adds to our already strong F&B mix as we strive to create a full day out experience for visitors to Manchester Arndale.”
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, added: “Joe & The Juice selecting Manchester Arndale for its city centre return highlights the continued demand we are seeing from international F&B and retail brands for space at the centre.
“Having a mix of established and growing brands helps to ensure Manchester Arndale continues to be an attractive destination for visitors and allows us to draw in shoppers from across the North West.”
Georgina Pellant -
29th December 2022 
