A community-centred independent coffee spot in Salford has started a unique ‘pay with a post it’ scheme in the wake of economic struggles as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Coffee Collective in Monton, Eccles introduced the brand new pay-it-forward scheme last week for locals to take advantage of if they’re struggling financially.
It truly is a tiny slice of kindness at a time when the world needs it the most.
The retro coffee truck – which can can be found parked up on Dukes Drive in Monton – is now allowing customers to purchase an extra drink during their visit, which will then be paid forward to a customer who needs it the most via its brand new post-it pinboard.
Announcing the scheme on social media, The Coffee Collective acknowledged that “we have all been hit hard by COVID-19” and is therefore “giving you the chance to enjoy our Delicious Specialty Coffee for FREE if you are struggling.”
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It’s asking customers to “spread some love with a free brew for a stranger”.
The Coffee Collective has teamed up with local food initiatives Let’s Eat Local and Manchester City Centre Food Reviews for the scheme.
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To kick off the scheme, Let’s Eat Local paid for the first ten post-it notes, with customers then able to continue the momentum whenever they wish to, and it’s not just about paying it forward, either, as those who are having a rough time are encouraged to take a post-it if they’re need to.
The Coffee Collective urged those struggling to “not feel ashamed or embarrassed to use these post-it notes” as “the community have come together to support you”.
The Coffee Collective
“If you have woke up and just about managed to do a walk today, give yourself a treat and have a brew bought from a stranger.”
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“If you are struggling to find the cash to pay for your coffee have a free one.”
How brilliant is this?
Manchester’s community spirit has really shone through over these past few months of lockdown and with genuine community-driven initiatives such as this one, it really makes you proud to be a part of a city and region with such heart.
The Coffee Collective is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7.30am – 3pm on Friday and Saturdays, and until 1.30pm on Sundays, and you can find it at Dukes Drive Car Park, Monton, Eccles, M30 8AP.
Be sure to pay it forward on your next visit if you can, or pick yourself up a free coffee instead.
Irish Festival Village returns to Manchester with live music, fry-up pizzas and loads of Guinness
Daisy Jackson
A huge Irish Festival Village has returned to Manchester city centre today to kick off the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Over the coming 10 days, there’ll be live Irish music, street food, retail stalls and – of course – plenty of Guinness flowing.
The main event is now open at St Ann’s Square, where a gigantic marquee festooned in green, white and orange has been installed.
Inside here, the bar is being run by the O’Shea’s team, and the stage will host loads of live music and great craic.
Outside you’ll find Birchwood Pizza, who have got a menu of pizzas inspired by the Emerald Isle.
Pizzas include the What’s the Craic (a fry-up pizza with white pudding and Dubliner sausage) to The Black Stuff (black pudding, rosemary potato and streaky pudding).
The Irish Festival Village has opened as part of the wider Manchester Irish Festival celebrations across Greater Manchester.
The Irish Festival Village is back in ManchesterIrish pizzas at the Festival Village on St Ann’s SquareYou can shop Irish treats outside
There’ll also be a Saint Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday 16 March, which will weave its way from the Irish World Heritage Centre all the way onto Deansgate.
The parade will showcase and champion local groups and organisations such as GAA clubs, Irish dance classes, marching bands, and pipe bands, along with a strong representation of the 32 counties in Ireland.
And it handily winds up around King Street, just beside the Irish Festival Village.
The gathering spot will be open from Friday 7 March all the way through to St Patrick’s Day itself – find out more HERE.
There’s a bakery in Manchester where you can decorate your own adorable tiny bento cake
Daisy Jackson
We’ve found a wholesome activity that’ll suit even the most cack-handed of bakers – a workshop where you can decorate your own miniature bento cake.
This Manchester activity has shot to the top of our list of our favourite things to do locally, perfect for a hen do, a birthday, a mate date or a date date.
Bento cakes, or lunchbox cakes, have all the elaborate decorations of a full celebration cake but made miniature, for a treat that doesn’t have to be shared out to dozens of people.
From swirls of buttercream frosting to pretty piped love hearts to cursive writing atop your cake, there are loads of decorations you can add to your own creation.
At Vanilla Ice Cakes in Chorlton, you’ll sit under the expert eye of owner Fiza, a master baker who’s been in the game for more than a decade.
She’ll guide you (and sometimes step in to help you) as you fumble your way through decorating your own cake.
As you arrive for your workshop you’re presented with two adorable vanilla sponge cakes, a classic base for a proper Victoria sponge or a more elaborate celebration cake.
Other cakes at Vanilla Ice CakesYou can mix up your own buttercream icingMaster baker Fiza at work at the bento cake workshopThe bento cake workshop space in ManchesterOne of our creations at the bento cake workshop in Chorlton, Manchester
Each class includes hot drinks, plus a plate full of Vanilla Ice Cakes’ delicious brownie bites.
From here, you’re taught the basics of piping, building a buttercream ‘dam’ before spooning in a filling of choice – jam, Nutella or Lotus Biscoff.
After applying a crumb coat (Great British Bake Off fans will already be on the right page here), the real fun begins.
Fiza will help you to whip up a smooth buttercream in whichever colour you wish, before letting you run riot with a piping bag.
You’ll practice swirls, rosettes, hearts, and even writing in icing ahead of decorating your actual cake.
You can see how we got on below, then book your own spot HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
20th October 2020 
