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?
Legendary Hulme community pub The Old Abbey Taphouse to reopen
Daisy Jackson
The closure of The Old Abbey Taphouse was a real blow for Hulme – the community pub was a bit of a local institution thanks to its grassroots music and inclusive atmosphere.
But now it appears that the spirit of the venue will live on, under the new name of The Abbey.
Some of the city’s most experienced independent operators – who have been behind venues like YES and The Deaf Institute, and music promoters Now Wave – will be the new custodians of this beloved local landmark.
The pub, which closed early last year, is currently being carefully restored ahead of its big relaunch just next week.
The vision for its new chapter will be ‘Old Pub, New Music’, creating a new home for grassroots live music and emerging artists.
There’ll also be affordable, hearty pub grub including Pieminister pies, and a huge range of beers from local breweries and beyond.
The team bringing The Abbey to life are Ruth Hemmingfield, Wesley Jones, Jonathan Wickstead and Gareth Butterworth – Ruth, Jon and Wesley are co-owners of YES; Ruth previously launched and programmed landmark Manchester venues including The Deaf Institute, Gorilla and Albert Hall; while Wesley and Jonathan, through Now Wave, promote hundreds of independent gigs and live events each year; and Gareth is the founder of multi-venue festival Manchester Psych Fest.
The team behind The Abbey pub. Credit: Piran Aston
The rear of the site of The Old Abbey Taphouse will be extended to create a new dedicated live music and events venue, while the cherished beer garden is given a facelift with new decking and its own bar.
The Abbey has stood in Hulme since the 1890s, playing an important role in the area’s heritage – this is where activist Len Johnson managed to overturn the shameful ‘colour bar’ policies of the 1940s.
Its restoration and relaunch is part of the flourishing Manchester Science Park development.
Matthew Pazos, Senior Retail Commercial Manager at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Ruth, Wesley and Jonathan are the perfect custodians to breathe new life into The Abbey.
“Their reputation for running independent spaces in Manchester, alongside their live music expertise, will ensure this much-valued pub once again becomes a beating heart for Hulme and the wider neighbourhood.
Glimpses of The Abbey’s refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
“The reopening of The Abbey will create an inclusive new hub that welcomes everyone – from the Hulme locals who have looked after the pub over the years, to the Manchester Science Park community, university students, and the many residents and workers across the Oxford Road Corridor.
“We are delighted that such a culturally significant and important pub is set to open its doors once again.”
Ruth Hemmingfield from The Abbey commented: “We love a good pub. With The Abbey, we’re excited about bringing a brilliant old pub back to life, protecting what people loved about it, and creating something special: a great local, alongside a vital grassroots music venue for the area. Honouring the pub’s history while building its future.”
Saddleworth’s new sandwich bar and kitchen with Michelin credentials
Daisy Jackson
It’s not every day you come across a sandwich with *20* different elements inside – but that’s what’s on the table at Fjord, Saddleworth’s newest opening.
This new sandwich bar and kitchen is tucked above barbershop and hair salon Ruger, and is the first solo venture for chef Kieran O’Reilly.
Kieran’s trained in Michelin kitchens across the North West, including Mana and The Forest Side, and wants to apply that level of meticulous prep to the humble butty.
That means sandwich fillings of impressive complexity, like a shallot confit cooked for nine hours, homemade tomato vine oil, a moreish bacon jam, stracciatella laced with confit garlic and lemon zest, and in-house miso.
And Kieran thinks he and his right-hand man Charlie might have actually invented a new bread for Fjord sandwiches – a puffball, pan-fried focaccia that’s thinner, lighter, and more manageable than its big sister.
Fjord wants to bring Scandinavian simplicity with Italian flavours to Lees, taking over the former Kobe space on Yorkshire Street.
Fjord is making homemade puffball focaccia for its sandwichesMichelin-trained chef Kieran O’Reilly
There’ll be refined brunches in the mornings with Ruger’s own coffee blend, before the offering pivots to Sandi-Italian focaccia sandwiches in the day.
And there’s a beautiful terrace aiming to bring a dose of Sorrento to Saddleworth, designed for long lunches, limoncello spritzes, and sunshine.
In the evenings, Ruger Fjord will shift into a spritz bar and small plates restaurant.
Kieran has credited his long-time friend and mentor Alan Beak for helping to bring the project to life, saying: “Alan has backed me for over a decade – from cutting my hair after school to supporting this opening. Ruger Fjord wouldn’t exist without him.”
Danny Jones -
9th April 2024 
