Just a couple of months on from Stretford’s beloved Foodhall suddenly shutting down, the space is now set to be replaced by local favourite pizza place, Bakehouse32.
Attached to the gradually regenerating Stretford Mall, the Foodhall – controlled by the General Stores group – looked to have been gaining momentum with the arrival of vendors like Egg & Co and Waffle Kart, but admitted that they could no longer sustain after a “tortuous few years“.
While it was no doubt a wound for Trafford natives as a whole, not to mention another gutting closure in the hospitality sector so early into 2024, there is somewhat of a silver lining with this new project.
Having operated from their restaurant further along Chester Road since 2021 (just opposite the old Longford Essoldo Cinema), Bakehouse32 will now be moving out of its current space and into the former Stretford Foodhall kitchen, bar and store area this summer.
Think stateside bagels, freshly baked focaccia and the same great crusts that Stretford residents know and love ❤️
Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on the latest foodie edition to the town centre 👀
📍Chester Rd, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BD #stretford
— Stretford Town Centre (@StretfordTown) April 9, 2024
Bakehouse32 is taking over Stretford Foodhall in just a couple of months’ time.
Having garnered a pretty good reputation for delivering all things New York-style, especially when it comes to freshly stonebaked, smoky and leopard-print-crusted pizzas, they had already started to outgrow their relatively small unit just down the street from their new location.
ADVERTISEMENT
Saying goodbye to the premises in a heartfelt farewell on Instagram prior to the confirmation of their new site, the team wrote: “The OG’s past and present, I’m too drained to make any sense of it tonight but I will say this, I love you all and thank you for the last three and a half years, I’m truly grateful for everyone that came through our doors.
“We’ll be back soon in a space that will be as much yours as ours, it’s all about community. Peace 🙏🏻 dedicated to Enid 1922-2015”.
ADVERTISEMENT
There was plenty of positivity in a previous post as well, as owner David Donovan-Brown revealed to Bakehouse fans back in December, “I can dip into my savings and spend a couple of old pounds on a BIGGER BOLDER and altogether more BEAUTIFUL BAKEHOUSE32.”
Bakehouse32 has been enjoying pop-ups across Greater Manchester over the last year or so, serving up their popular pizza pies at the likes of Bask, GRUB, Track Brewery and more, but are now looking to put down firmer and ambitious roots at the Mall.
Having promised “a proper kitchen and a few more seats, more dough, more tipple and a few other surprises served up in the afternoons”, the Stretford-born and bred brand has confirmed they will also be debuting at the former food hall with an all-new breakfast and lunch menu.
ADVERTISEMENT
Oh yes, more New York-style bagels are coming our way and we’re about to eat an obscene amount of that burnt Basque cheesecake no matter what time of day it is.
David went on to thank the loyal customer base for having “turned a little backyard venture in lockdown into something proper exciting”, adding, “I can’t wait to show you what else is possible.”
Look familiar?We’ve got a thing about pan pizza…Credit: Bakehouse32
As part of the reworked menu, in addition to the pizzas and cocktails which have arguably been their bread and butter ever since opening, the expanded Bakehouse32 menu will see modern takes on pasta classics, new side dishes as well as sandwiches made with freshly made focaccia baked in-house.
Our stomachs are grumbling already.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said of the announcement: “We’re delighted that Bakehouse32 is opening in the unit formerly occupied by Stretford Foodhall. This is a fabulous independent local brand and will be a great addition to the brands already operating in Stretford town centre.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Trafford Council is totally committed to improving the borough’s town centres and, with the opening of new retail and hospitality brands due to be announced, the future looks bright for Stretford.” The question is, will this level-up make them the next Manc pizza spot to make it onto our best-of list?
An app that can get you 50% off at top local restaurants has arrived in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
An app that unlocks exclusive restaurant deals in top local spots has officially arrived in Manchester.
EatClub has launched into our city with some big local restaurant names included, like Maki & Ramen, Noi Quattro, and Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar.
The rapidly-growing dining app is backed by Marco Pierre White and has been picking up pace across the UK since launching in London last year.
EatClub is bringing next-level, exclusive dining deals to Mancs, while helping our local restaurants make the most of quieter times.
Participating restaurants and bars can offer smart, real-time pricing during off-peak hours, which can mean up to 50% off deals appear for diners.
As a customer, that means you can save big by dining when it’s quieter, knowing you’re filling vital tables for your favourite businesses.
EatClub has been designed by restaurateurs who understand the realities of running busy venues.
CiaoooSalvi’sKAJI
You’ll find local favourites, hidden gems, and much-loved brands on the app, which handles the entire discount process discreetly in-app.
Once you’ve downloaded EatClub, you unlock an EatClub Pay digital card to add to your phone wallet – then select your chosen offer before you arrive, dine, and pay your bill with the EatClub Pay card to apply your discount.
Wondering where you might get to eat for less in Manchester? Restaurants already signed up to EatClub include Italian favourites like Ciaooo, The Pasta Factory, Noi Quattro; South Asian restaurants like Maki & Raman and Soul & Surf; and stylish spots like TYGA Restaurant & Bar, On The Hush, and Avan Lounge Restaurant & Shisha Bar.
You’ll also find refined restaurants like KAJI, plus Doux Chaton, Fress, Chai Latte, Stan-M1, Arnero, and Napoleons Restaurant on EatClub in Manchester.
The Pasta FactoryMaki & RamenDoux Chaton
Based on data from London, EatClub users increase their dining frequency by 70%, while restaurants see up to a 10x uplift in targeted off-peak windows, equating to roughly a 12% annual revenue lift.
Originally founded in Australia by hospitality insiders including CEO Pan Koutlakis and legendary chef Marco Pierre White, EatClub is now expanding across the UK, following a $27 million AUD (£14m+) oversubscribed Pre-Series B funding round led by Marbruck, with continued support from EVP and CoAct.
Pan Koutlakis, CEO and co-founder of EatClub, said: “Manchester has such incredible energy when it comes to hospitality and we’re so excited to be working with a fantastic range of venues from day one.
“EatClub is all about making it easier for people to dine out more often, discover new favourites and enjoy great value, all in a way that feels effortless.”
EatClub is available to download now, with loads of Manchester restaurnats already signed up – download and find out more HERE.
Smash-hit sandwich shop Earl’s is set to open another site in Bolton
Danny Jones
Yes, beloved Bolton butty shop and bar, Earl’s, is set to open up their second location in the Greater Manchester borough, taking the food from the town centre over to Farnworth.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a metropolitan expansion either this year or next, but for now, we’re just glad to hear we’re getting more of the good stuff.
Earl’s Day and Night Deli, to give them their full name, is the latest name to join the lineup of new foodie faces joining the culinary boom over at the Farnworth Green development.
Soon, the stacked sandwiches, quality coffee and laid-back vibes will be coming to one of the best up-and-coming new neighbourhoods.
Founded by two local lads, Jonny Eckersley and Andy Partington, the first venue only opened back in December of 2024, but has gone on to become a North West-wide sensation.
Carb connoisseurs will literally travel for this scran, and having tasted it for ourselves a couple of times now, it’s no wonder.
Taking inspiration not only from regional food and drink, but also from the wider atmospheres and culinary cultures of Lisbon, Sydney, Antwerp and more, if they can translate even half the levels of chill from the OG Earl’s into this soon-to-open sister site, we’re sure it will hit the ground running.
As per an official press release, fans and those who’ve never tried it before can “expect a menu packed with freshly made sandwiches, alongside a line-up of hot and cold options available for both grab-and-go and delivery.”
Crucially, they’re also looking to carry over that feeling of a seamless transition between services, blending everything from morning coffee runs and the lunch rush with casual evening hangs.
Co-founder Jonny said in a statement: “We are staying true to our roots by bringing a second Earl’s in Bolton. This new venture helps to fuel our expansion plans and widen our catchment area so even more local people can enjoy the Earl’s experience.
“We have big plans for the space and can’t wait to get started.” An exact opening date hasn’t even been confirmed yet, but we’re already getting excited.
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital and Centric (the developers behind Farnworth Green) added: “We back standout local operators, and Earl’s is right up there – great food, loads of energy and a proper following already behind them.
“Farnworth Green is shaping up to be a neighbourhood with real character, and Earl’s is only going to add to that. Expect it to be busy.”
Danny Jones -
9th April 2024 
