There’s a tea room in Bolton serving up a hearty fish and chips afternoon tea, and it sounds absolutely incredible.
Curley’s Dining Rooms, located in the rural town of Horwich just outside of Bolton, sits down a quiet country lane and offers stunning views across Rivington Reservoir.
With a charming suntrap outdoor terrace and its own ice cream parlour, Frederick’s, even without the hefty afternoon tea offering there’s a lot to draw you in here.
The menu includes an all-day breakfast served until 4pm, but it’s the handsome afternoon tea offering with its generous portion of fish and chunky chips that’s really got the town talking.
The fish and chips afternoon tea at Curley’s includes mini fish goujons and proper chunky chips. / Image: Curley’s
Curley’s also serves a classic portion of fish and chips for the same price. / Image: Curley’s
The restaurant is already famous for its epic portions of fish and chips, which feature jumbo cod, hand-cut chips and tartare with mushy peas, but since launching the afternoon tea it has become just as popular.
Priced at just £19.95 per person, for that diners can dig into a platter loaded with a basket of freshly-fried mini fish goujons and chips, crustless finger sandwiches, huge slabs of quiche, macarons and more.
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Sandwich fillings can be chosen in advance from a choice of ham, cheese, tuna mayonnaise, turkey, beef and egg mayo, with three fillings available per afternoon tea.
Also included in the price is a small cup of homemade soup each, a pot of tea, ramekins of coleslaw, tartare and salad, plus traditional fruit scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of mini patisseries.
Coffee is available to enjoy instead of tea, and for those who fancy a few bubbles there is also the option to upgrade to prosecco.
If you fancy booking into Curley’s to try the fish and chips afternoon tea, make sure to book in advance. The afternoon tea must be reserved with at least 24 hours in notice, and diners are required to pay a £10 deposit per person that will then be deducated from their bill.
A huge new Irish bar has opened in Manchester city centre (yes, another one)
Daisy Jackson
There’s another new Irish pub in Manchester city centre, this time on one of our busiest nightlife strips, Peter Street.
Katie O’Brien’s has officially thrown open the doors to its enormous two-storey venue, taking over and transforming the former Peaky Blinders bar.
Inside, there are three bars pouring both Guinness AND Murphys, a huge elevated stage on its own mezzanine level, which will host live musicians seven nights a week, and walls packed with decor transporting you to the Emerald Isle.
The makeover they’ve given this massive unit really is quite something, creating all sorts of cosy corners and snug areas where you can nurse a pint of stout.
Faux fireplaces, leather booth seating, and low ceilings all set the tone for a relaxed pint in the snugs.
Or if you want something a little livelier, head to the heart of the bar, where you can dance the night away to the live entertainment above your head.
Manchester’s Katie O’Brien’s is set to be their largest Irish bar yet, with existing locations all over the UK, including in Leeds and Sheffield.
Their rapid expansion has now brought them to the heart of Manchester, where they’ll be neighbouring bustling nightlife spots like Albert’s Schloss, Manahatta, and Impossible.
Katie O’Brien’s has opened on Peter StreetIt’s taken over the old Peaky Blinders barCosy snugs in Katie O’Brien’sIt serves both Murphy’s AND Guinness
The venue has taken over what was once the Peaky Blinders bar, which shut down back in March.
The previous occupier had themed its venue and menu around the hit gangster show, with cocktails named after characters.
They wrote at the time: “It is with an extremely heavy heart that we unfortunately have to announce the closure of Peaky Blinders Manchester with immediate effect. On behalf of our entire team, we are truly thankful to every guest who has stepped through our doors since opening in 2018.
“We are devastated it has had to end this way, but grateful for the journey. Thank you so much for your continued support over the years. It’s been a blast, Manchester!”
Katie O’Brien’s is open now on Peter Street in Manchester.
One of Manchester’s most popular brunch spots is opening its second location
Daisy Jackson
A brunch spot with queues down the street, and an edible Labubu French toast on the menu, is opening a second location this summer.
Bruncho has revealed plans to expand from its home on Deansgate and take on the Northern Quarter.
The all-day brunch cafe is set to move into the huge unit left empty by the shock closure of Feel Good Club.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its absolutely stacked French toasts.
It’s consistently packed out at its original location on Deansgate, and now it’s taking over a 4,378 sq ft unit in the Northern Quarter too, set to open this June.
Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us.
“Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.
The viral Labubu French toast at Bruncho in ManchesterA breakfast spread at Bruncho
“We’re excited to bring something fresh to the neighbourhood, with the opening scheduled for June 2026.”
Paul Shakeshaft, Head of Property Management at CERT, commented: “We’ve found the ideal tenant to join the Hilton House community. Bruncho provides a new focal point for the building and for the community.
“They’re a fantastic operator with big plans that bring the right fit and the right atmosphere to the building and neighbourhood.
“Signing Bruncho brings Hilton House back to full occupation, including a full refit in just seven months, underpinning our neighbourhood vision for our commercial properties, and their continued success and appeal far beyond their completion.”
Bruncho will open their second Manchester cafe in the Northern Quarter this June.
Georgina Pellant -
15th May 2023 
