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?
Tiny Manchester restaurant with just 12 seats added to the Michelin Guide
Daisy Jackson
Sampa, a tiny restaurant in the Northern Quarter with just a dozen seats, has been added to the Michelin Guide.
The Brazilian chef’s table concept comes from the acclaimed chef and former MasterChef star Caroline Martins, who has been refining the concept across the city for years.
She’s gone from a residency in an Ancoats wine bar to supper clubs and pop-ups across Manchester – and now has a place in the Michelin Guide.
Sampa, which is almost fully booked all the way through to August, is the first Brazilian restaurant in the UK to be included in the prestigious guide, which Caroline has described as ‘a small step for me as a chef patron, but a massive moment for the Brazilian community’.
Not only is the restaurant small, but it’s exclusive – Sampa is almost fully booked all the way through to August, and keeps its location under wraps until just 24 hours before your reservation.
The food showcases both traditional Brazilian techniques and ingredients, but with a modern take which has earned it rave reviews – including its signature Dormouse dessert, in the shape of a glossy red mushroom.
The Michelin Guide wrote: “In Manchester’s artsy Northern Quarter, Sampa is quite literally hidden away, with the exact address of this 12-seater chef’s counter only provided to guests 24 hours prior to dining, and a sign hung outside the door just 20 minutes before service.
“This sense of intrigue is fitting for an immersive experience where Chef Caroline Martins hosts her guests in a gregarious manner and treats them to a surprise menu of Brazilian cuisine.
“From the traditional ‘pão de queijo’ cheese bread to the showstopping ‘Dormouse’ dessert, these are fun, flavourful dishes packed with personality.”
And speaking of the honour, Caroline wrote: “SAMPA is now officially the first ever restaurant in the UK under the category “Brazilian” in the @michelinguide — and one of five across Europe! A small step for me as a chef patron, but a massive moment for the Brazilian community.
“This year has already gone beyond anything I could have imagined — and it just keeps getting better. We’re so proud of what we do at SAMPA every single day.
“Since January 2025, we’ve continued to grow and push forward, and it truly feels like we’re stronger than ever.
“A huge thank you to the Michelin Guide for the recognition, and to our amazing guests for being part of this journey and supporting us every step of the way. OBRIGADA!”
A sports bar dedicated to women’s sports is opening in Stockport
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new women’s-led sports bar is opening in Stockport, marking a first for the North.
Rita Ray’s will be joining the line-up at Weir Mill, the new neighbourhood from Capital & Centric on the banks of the River Mersey.
While women’s sport has grown in popularity in recent years, Rita Ray’s founder says that ‘the spaces to watch it haven’t caught up’.
And so, this new sports bar concept has been born, with all the buzz of a classic sports bar but with women’s sport on the big screens.
The venue will be family-friendly by day, before shifting into a lively social hangout with great drinks, music, and post-matchday energy by night.
It plans to become a community cornerstone too, hosting things like run clubs, classes, quiz nights, book clubs, pop-ups, and community meet-ups.
Founder of Rita Ray’s, Becky Brown, has named the bar after her grandparents Rita and Ray, who loved life, games, golf, and good company.
She says there’s ‘nothing like this in the North at the moment’.
Rita Ray’s sports bar is the second independent venture announced for Weir Mill this month alone – Italian restaurant The Social Trattoria is also heading to Stockport this year.
Becky said: “Women’s sport has grown massively, but the spaces to watch it haven’t caught up.
“There’s nothing like this in the North at the moment, and Stockport and the Weir Mill neighbourhood felt like the perfect spot – creative, independent, and full of character. Rita Ray’s is about sport, community, and inclusion.”
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “Rita Ray’s is exactly the kind of bold, indie concept we love bringing into our neighbourhoods. It’s a brilliant addition to Weir Mill and a great example of the independent operators helping shape this new part of Stockport.”
Cllr Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for regeneration, skills and economy, said: “Seeing the North’s first independent bar dedicated to women’s sport choose Weir Mill is a fantastic vote of confidence in Stockport.
“This kind of bold, community‑minded business will add to the growing sense of place we’re creating here – an inclusive space where everyone can come together to enjoy sport, meet friends, and feel part of something special.
“This is exactly what regeneration should deliver: new jobs, strong independents and more reasons for people to spend time in our town centre, while keeping the character that makes Stockport what it is.
“Investment of this quality shows the direction we’re heading and the momentum we’re building, ensuring Stockport remains a vibrant, welcoming and thriving place for residents, visitors and businesses alike.”
Rita Ray’s is all set to open this summer at Weir Mill in Stockport, just in time to roar on the Three Lions.
Danny Jones -
9th April 2024 
