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.
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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”.
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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.
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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.
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“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?
A groundbreaking new multi-use entertainment and leisure venue is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
A new multi-purpose food, drink, entertainment and leisure destination is coming to Manchester city centre and the Salford border this autumn, and you won’t find many places that roll so much into one spot.
Mancs, get ready to welcome ‘Tangerine’.
Conceived by an impressive collective of local creatives, indies and those with plenty of experience catering to the Northern masses, Tangerine is promising everything from multiple resident kitchens, a live music hall, an arthouse stage, a specialist martini bar and more.
Better yet, after a year in the making and quietly chipping away at the striking space, it opens later this month, so you don’t have to wait long to try it for yourselves.
Located on New Bailey Street, just on the edge of Spinningfields and Salford Central, this groundbreaking new venue features two main platforms (utilising the integrated charm of the historic railway arches), each boasting its own selection of attractions.
While platform one will offer a bakery, coffee roastery, wine store and bottle ship, the ‘Canteen Club’ and even a florist, number two will contain the music hall, arthouse stage and the stylish ‘Grand Departures’ bar – serving seven espresso martini alone – Tangerine will deliver a seamless day to night transition.
Arguably, however, the centrepiece is the ‘Cantina Collective’. The food and drink hall promises seven in-house kitchens, showcasing a variety of cuisines.
The opening line-up already confirmed includes Vanda: a family-run Parisian-inspired Ukrainian bakery; Mexican taqueria, PANTERA, burger joint Juicy, as well as Yo Dutchie (a unique fusion of Dutch-Japanese food) and a new Korean/ramen concept from local sushi favourites, Unagi.
Our stomachs are already grumbling just thinking about it.
CGI renders of the completed space. (Credit: Supplied)
Designed not only by the brains behind Northern Quarter’s beloved Mala hidden garden but WANT STUDIOS, who will be ensuring local artists, independents, and traders will be regularly spotlighted, the site will boast a capacity of well over 300 people.
Artyom Dmitrijev, owner of Tangerine and Mala, said in a statement: “Over a year in the making, we’ve used all our experience in design, interiors, architecture and hospitality to create our dream project. A place for all the independents to come together and thrive.”
Andy Windsor, Director of WANT STUDIOS, added: “Tangerine unites the city’s independent kitchens, bar tenders, bakeries and entertainment specialists. It is a unique showcase of what we do in the city. This is a new space for creativity, food, and culture, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Debuting to the public with a big Halloween weekender on the evening of Friday, 31 October, with another launch event the following Saturday, you can sign up for exclusive early access for free, which could see you score a few freebies to boot.
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/Tangerine MCR (via Instagram)
Eats
Bottomless curry deal returns to popular Manchester Indian restaurant Zouk
Danny Jones
One of the best-loved Indians in Manchester has relaunched its bottomless curry offering and is chucking in free rice and naans to boot.
Zouk over on Chester Street has brought back its endless curry, rice and naan deal to ease the last of those January blues.
Every night this week, you’ll be able to tuck into a full buffet of the tea bar and grill’s award-winning, authentic curries, showcasing dishes from all over the Indian subcontinent.
Costing just £20 a head, you can feast until your heart’s content on some of the very best curries in the city – no exaggeration.
What does ‘bottomless curry’ night at Zouk look like?
The bottomless curry deal at Zouk first ran this year back in January, but it’s now back for National Curry Week (6-12 October 2025), and we can’t wait to stuff ourselves silly yet again.
Every single day, there’ll be four different curries to choose from, always including two meat options, a vegetarian curry and a vegan dish.
What exactly can you get on Zouk’s bottomless offer?
As mentioned, each booking also includes unlimited rice and naan to go with your curry of choice.
Tables are for 90 minutes per booking, giving guests plenty of time to take on the increasingly popular bottomless curry challenge.
Question is, do you have the stomach for it?
With an ever-rotating selection of curries inspired by various distinct regions and speciality cuisines, you’re not short on variety either. You can see Zouk‘s current bottomless curry menu in full below:
Monday
Chicken Karahi – A speciality from the Northwest region of Pakistan. Tender pieces of chicken cooking in a sizzling wok over hot flames with tomatoes, crushed peppercorns, cumin, ginger and garlic.
Lamb and Potatoes – Tender chunks of lamb cooked with new potatoes, yoghurt, tomatoes and garlic.
Mutter Paneer (V) – Indian Paneer cheese with new potatoes, yoghurt, tomatoes and garlic.
Chole Masala (VG) – From Delhi to Punjab, this authentic channa masala is a tasty street food classic.
Tuesday
Tamater Kadei Murgh – A delicious chicken and tomato curry cooked with mild spices. Perfect with rice or bread
Lamb Do Pyaaza – Medium-spiced North Indian speciality: tender pieces of lamb slowly cooked with lavish amounts of caramelised onions in a spicy masala
Tarka Dall (V) – Channa and mung lentils cooked in a spicy sauce
Gobi Mutter (VG) – Spicy cauliflower sautéed in a rich tomato masala with peas
Wednesday
Chicken Do Payaza – Spiced North Indian chicken dish with tomatoes and caramelised onions
Lamb & Bindi – Tender pieces of lamb cooked in a spicy masala with ‘lady fingers’ (okra)
Chole Masala (V) – Authentic channa masala is a tasty street food classic
Mili Juli Sabzi (VG) – Fresh vegetables fused together with herbs and spices
Over the halfway hump, room for more? (Credit: The Manc Eats)
Thursday
Chicken Tikka Masala – A simple classic chicken tikka masala. Chicken pieces marinated in yoghurt tossed inside a balti of garlic and ginger.
Lamb Rogan Josh – A speciality from Jammu and Kashmir, with chillies and juicy tomatoes.
Dall Makhani (V) – Black lentils in a smooth and creamy sauce.
Palak Aloo (VG) – Spinach leaf and fenugreek cooked with new potatoes and coriander.
Friday
Chicken Handi – Punjabi-style chicken curry slowly cooked over burning flames with tomatoes, onions, garlic and Zouk’s special garam masala.
Lamb Jalfrezi – Lamb pieces cooked with capsicum, onions and tomatoes in a thick spicy sauce.
Bengan do Pyaza (V) – A medium-spiced North Indian dish of aubergine cooked with tomatoes, spices and lavish amounts of onions.
Bindi Do Pyaza (VG) – A medium-spiced North Indian dish of Okra cooked with tomatoes, spices and lavish amounts of onions.
And now we’re stuffed…
If you’re looking for somewhere to get bottomless curry in Manchester, this is the place for you. (Credit: The Manc)
Zouk has become one of Manchester’s leading restaurants since it opened in 2009, even drawing in famous fans like Rihanna, Drake, Manchester United stars and, of course, many a Mancs each and every day – because there’s never a bad time for a curry.
Available all throughout this week, you can make the most of this incredible bottomless curry deal like we do every year and trust us, Manchester: it genuinely NEVER disappoints.
You can find more information – including all terms and conditions – on the website and book your visit HERE, or over the phone on 0161 2331 090.
Danny Jones -
9th April 2024 
