A former fire station in Salford has been turned into a bustling base for some of the North West’s finest baking and brewing talents.
The Old Fire Station, right beside the University of Salford, is now operating as a bakery, brewery, bar, cafe and restaurant.
That means pastries, bread, pizzas and even beers are made within a few feet of where you’ll be eating and drinking them.
The space is beautiful, still boasting those gigantic red fire station doors and the traditional ceramic tiles that would have been here when the space was still home to fire engines instead of bread mixers.
Around half of the pastries coming out of the bakery, headed up by Erick Molero Delgado (his CV includes top bakeries across the USA and Europe), are completely vegan – not that you can tell from looking at their glossy, laminated layers and extravagant fillings.
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We’re talking perfectly cubed laminated brioche with sweet maple flavours, mini pizzettes with olives and tomatoes dotted inside a pastry wall, and striped pain suisse stuffed with nuts and chocolate.
Then there are the not-very-vegan-at-all pastries, like a spandaeur, which is like a croissant and pastel de nata hybrid, and thick slices of Basque cheesecake.
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There are new signature ‘Salford bagels’ too developed by assistant head baker Scott Shannon, which are a fusion of North American, German and Jewish styles, fermented for up to 48 hours with a crisp outer shell and a chewy centre.
A spandaeur pastry and a pain suisseHeirloom tomato bruschetta on sourdoughThe bakery line-upThe ‘Salford Bagel’ with smoked salmon
We had ours stuffed with smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers and raved about it all the way home.
Erick says: “Our new menu is a true labour of love by the whole team – from early ideas and experiments right through to the final bake.
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“If someone has an idea, we run with it. That creative freedom is priceless. It keeps the work exciting, and it means our customers have the opportunity to get something fresh every time they visit.”
As for the beers, they’re all made on site too – on the opposite side of The Old Fire Station is Lark Hill Brewery, headed up by Jack Dixon, who’s able to experiment and explore new flavours in this top-spec microbrewery.
Jack Dixon in the Lark Hill BreweryLaminated briocheThe Old Fire Station bakers at work
There are experimental beers, sometimes made in collaboration with researchers at the University, as well as true-to-style classics like a New England Pale Ale and the Lark Helles, a fresh take on a classic German lager.
Jack said: “Having the autonomy to design and brew what I want, without limits, is rare and exciting,.
“It means every beer we pour here has a story and a personality. We’re proud to bring something new to Salford’s craft scene.”
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This summer, they’re launching New York-style pizzas, made on slow-fermented, hand-stretched pizza dough.
And very little goes to waste here – the trimmed-off croissant pastry is now being turned into their own croissant loaf, which they’re whipping into French toast for the brunch menu.
Everything at The Old Fire Station is crafted with talent and love, and you can really taste it.
Kore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new reformer pilates studio has opened in Manchester, with its own on-site acai bowl and smoothie bar.
Kore Studios is a new wellness destination for the city, just off the busy drag of Deansgate.
It’s a design-led, calming space, all neutral natural textures and soft lighting, with 12 premium reformer beds in the studio and a full health bar in the front.
On the menu here you’ll find a menu of nutritious smoothies, juices, acai bowls and matchas, including beautiful dupes of the viral Erewhon smoothies.
Highlights from the Kore Studios acai menu include the Amazon Classic with banana, strawberries, granola and coconut, and the Power Bowl with peanut butter, banana, chia seeds and almond butter.
There are also tropical acai bowls, and some piled with a dollop of Nutella for more of a treat.
As for the smoothies, expect drinks like the Avocado Matcha Magic, a Tropical Sunshine, and a Green Glow Detox, plus a selection of flavoured matchas.
Erewhon dupe smoothies at Kore StudiosKore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in ManchesterA selection of acai bowlsInside the Kore Studios smoothie and acai barThere are 12 reformer pilates bedsThe beautiful changing rooms at Kore Studios
The fitness studio itself at Kore Studios brings another reformer pilates spot to Manchester, with top-quality equipment stashed within reaching distance of every bed (no awkward queueing to grab a set of hand weights).
The team have gathered some of the city’s top instructors together for a best-in-class schedule of reformer pilates sessions, as well as mat pilates and barre classes, with something to suit all abilities.
Kore Studios is open now at 31-33 King Street West in Manchester city centre.
Memberships start at £80 per month with a special £10 introductory offer class aimed at first-timers.
Inside Chotto Matte, the glittering new rooftop restaurant with staggering views of Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Chotto Matte has given a glimpse inside its impressive new restaurant space in Manchester today, complete with a huge rooftop terrace and 360º views of the city centre.
Diners will soon be able to sit up here on top of the No.1 St Michael’s, tucking into a menu of premium Nikkei cuisine while overlooking the magnificent Manchester Town Hall, now peeping out from behind its scaffolding.
The new Chotto Matte will debut a brand-new concept, too – Claude’s is a new Mexican-inspired sky bar, serving Mexican nibbles like black bean tostadas, Wagyu beef birria sliders, and grilled chicken quesadillas, as well as a collection of 250+ tequilas and mezcals.
The main Chotto Matte food menu, crafted by group executive chef Jordan Sclare, alongside founder Kurt Zdesar, focuses on Japanese and Peruvian flavours, with five distinct sections – sushi bar, tempura, robata, sautée and pastry.
The space spans 20,000 sq ft across the 10th floor of Gary Neville’s landmark St Michael’s development, and has been decorated with graffiti-inspired interiors and contemporary art installations.
Local artists who have been called in to help include Carla Raads, who has transformed the bathrooms into a glowing UV mural (the rest of the loos are fully mirrored, for even further wow factor).
But the real standout feature is the 348-capacity rooftop terrace, open all year round and with its own dedicated bar as well as a stage for live entertainment.
Back inside there are two private dining rooms, including one with direct access onto the rooftop.
Click or swipe through the gallery to see inside Chotto Matte Manchester
The Chotto Matte restaurant spaceInside Chotto Matte ManchesterThe rooftop spaceCocktails with a viewCocktails with a viewSushi from the Nikkei menuCrispy riceSmall plates from the Nikkei menu at Chotto MatteDishes from the robata grillDishes from the robata grillInside Chotto Matte ManchesterInside Chotto Matte ManchesterA private dining space at Chotto Matte in ManchesterSliders in Claude’sClaude’s cocktails in the Mexican skybarQuesadillasChurrosTacos and margs from Claude’sThe bar area on the rooftop terraceThe bar area on the rooftop terrace
Kurt Zdesar, Founder of Chotto Matte said: “We are so excited to open the doors to Chotto Matte Manchester. We have created a space that combines bold design, immersive art, live music and of course, our signature Nikkei flavours – all elevated by a stunning rooftop location overlooking Manchester.
“From the food to the atmosphere, every detail has been curated to create a destination venue in the heart of the city. We have also introduced our new Mexican concept, Claude’s, to Manchester for the first time offering something truly unique within this venue.
“We have loved working alongside Gary and the Relentless Developments team to create a space that we can all be truly proud of. We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome a new wave of guests to experience Chotto Matte.”
Chotto Matte Manchester officially opens on Friday 10 October.
Daisy Jackson -
25th July 2025 
