Eats

The UK’s first plant-based barbecue drive-thru to open in Manchester

Meatless Farm is taking over Secret City to launch its pioneering plant-based ‘barbe-thru’ concept.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th July 2021

The UK’s first ever plant-based barbecue drive-thru is launching in Greater Manchester this summer.

Meat substitute brand Meatless Farm – which aims to improve health through better eating and reduced dependency on intensive farming – is taking over Secret City in Trafford to launch a pioneering plant-based ‘barbe-thru’ concept.

Located at EventCity right next to the Trafford Centre, the M*** F*** Barbe-Thru three-day pop-up is open to pass through or park up – with picnic benches available to enjoy some “banging beats, barbecue eats and bar drinks”.

A menu is also being served from the grill – including a plant-based ‘Katsu Dog’, loaded fries, and so much more. 

The country’s leading meat substitute brand Meatless Farm is taking over Secret City in Trafford next month / Credit: Meatless Farm

Speaking ahead of the launch, Morten Toft Bech – Founder of Meatless Farm – said: “Our M*** F*** Barbe-thru is serving up a double helping of bangers from both the grill and DJ to celebrate the summer and bring people back together after a challenging year.

“We want to show people they can still fire up and enjoy delicious barbecue foods without meat so it becomes a preference rather than an option.”

The M*** F*** Barbe-Thru is arriving on Monday 9 – Wednesday 11 August, and will be open from midday – 8:30pm.

The first 50 visitors each day will receive a free barbecue dish, otherwise prices start from just £5.

Meatless Farm is also giving 50% off for those in electric cars, on bicycles, or e-scooters.

The pioneering UK-first plant-based ‘barbe-thru’ concept will take over Secret City / Credit: Meatless Farm

The M** F** Barbe-Thru

  • Monday 9th – Wednesday 11th August
  • 12pm – 8:30pm daily
  • Secret City, Phoenix Way, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester, M41 7TB

Featured Image – Secret City / Meatless Farm

Eats

The first new tenant of the old Debenhams department store on Market Street has been confirmed

Danny Jones Danny Jones new food hall opening in Ryland building old Debenhams department store Manchester

The first new resident of the Rylands Building on Market Street in central Manchester has been revealed, and it’s a foodie one.

Set to be the maiden opening inside the old Debenhams department store, which closed after more than three decades back in 2021, Rylands’ debut won’t be for another year or so, but it will soon welcome Mancs with an increasingly popular food hall operator making its way up north.

Simply called Market Place, the ever-growing brand is fast becoming a well-established name, with four venues in the capital already and a fifth coming soon.

Rylands will be their first location outside of London, and with 1,300 sqm of space at their disposal, Market Place Manchester is set to make a significant splash on the high street.

market place food halls london
A look at Market Place Peckham.
market place food hall manchester city centre
A rough idea of what the Manchester branch could look like.

Developers managed to green-light plans for the Grade II-listed building last November, sharing the first details and glimpses of their vision for the instantly recognisable city centre spot, including a whole new rooftop terrace.

Currently earmarked for a late 2026 launch, the former department store (previously Paulden’s) consisted of seven floors but is now set for a four-storey extension that promises to be a massive and varied retail, leisure and business destination that makes the most of the expansive structure.

Not to be confused with the famous John Rylands Library – a much older, more gothic, historic and hallowed hall over on Deansgate – this task of ‘revitalising a Manchester icon’, to quote property firm AM ALPHA, is a huge undertaking.

In charge of the redevelopment since 2023, the group have been outlining a pretty complete overhaul, with plans to convert the upper floors into premium office space, and the creation of a retail arcade at ground level, on which Market Place Manchester will sit.

This particular Manc corner was a bustling food, drink and shopping complex for the longest time, but has been derelict and covered up by boards for what feels like forever, with urban explorers even roaming the large, abandoned building.

rylands building market st manchester
Credit: Supplied

Now, though, the new long-term 15-year lease agreement will see the latest food hall kick off a new era for Rylands, delivering socially focused venues and the range of flavourful, vibrant choices of scran that Market Place have become known for.

With sites in St Paul’s, Vauxhall, Peckham, Harrow and soon Baker Street – as well as their eventual Manchester outpost, of course – the chain is getting bigger and better, meaning its arrival in the North West is an exciting one.

AM ALPHA manager Paul Hodgkiss said in an official statement: “Manchester is a city with a vibrant cultural scene – the perfect environment for forward-thinking concepts like Market Place Food Hall…

“The early commitment to Rylands is no coincidence: it reflects the strength of our strategic and forward-looking approach to development. We are not just creating high-quality space – we are setting new standards for urban mixed-use concepts. Interest from further prospective tenants is strong.”

It was only last week that Greater Manchester’s latest market hall, Campfield Studios, said hello to the general public and with House of Social also opening this summer, among several other similar projects, soon you won’t be able to move for more social hospitality scenes like this:

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Featured Images — Press shots/CGIs (supplied)

Eats

Hotel Chocolat to open viral chocolate Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Hotel Chocolat to open viral chocolate Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester

Hotel Chocolat is set to open a Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester city centre, and it’ll be absolute paradise for chocolate lovers.

The popular chocolate shop, which has stores across the UK selling delicious chocolate bars, boxes and more, is now preparing to branch out in town.

Hotel Chocolat then hit a new level of fame with its Velvetiser, an invention that creates velvety smooth hot drinks at the touch of a button.

They’ve been so popular, Hotel Chocolat is now opening Velvetiser Cafes across the UK – and Manchester is up next.

If it follows in the footsteps of the Meadowhall cafe in Sheffield, visitors will be able to customise their perfect hot chocolate from thousands of combinations.

There are 18 flavours, different milks, and a whole variety of toppings available.

Then you drink can be served hot, over ice, or as a choc shake.

Colourful hoardings for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe have now appeared on Cross Street, just next door to the new Joe & The Juice.

A planning application has also been lodged with Manchester City Council.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

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