Manchester’s very own chicken connoisseurs, Yard and Coop, have long offered their very popular Kids Eat Free deal, but now they’re making things even more enticing by giving parents the chance to win their little ones a trip to Legoland too.
Time to rope in the nieces and nephews and pretend to be dad again — joking, of course.
But yes, even if you are a big kid who’d still love an excuse to go to Legoland, you can treat your children with a free trip to the amusement park’s Manchester location over at the Discovery Centre in Trafford Palazzo this school holiday, so no long drives down to Windsor are needed either.
And the best of all is, it’s pretty simple win the giveaway: all you need to do is let them play and come up with the best creations their imaginations can muster.
As you can see, not only are Yard and Coop offering parents the chance to take their pride and joys to Legoland but they’ve also extended their Kids Eat Free deal to cover Sunday as well, meaning you’ve got another day of great value to make the most of and an extra chance at winning the tickets.
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Now, what’s the catch? Well, there isn’t one real, only proof that your kid has come and had some fun whilst feeling their bellies with a quick post on socials.
Once they’ve built their masterpiece, simply tag the restaurant in the photo on Instagram and use the hashtag #CoopKidsEatFree.
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Oh, and not to give you too much of a clue, but a little bird told us that “creations relating to Yard and Coop, chickens, foxes and food will certainly be favourable…
So, as well as scoring a free meal for the kids – which includes a main, drink and an ice cream dessert to boot – why not try and take along for one of the best activity-filled days families can find anywhere in Greater Manchester?
There is, of course, plenty for them to do at the Northern Quarter spot beyond just assembling bricks, as Yard and Coop always guarantees a family-friendly atmosphere with free pots of crayons and designs for them to colour in, arcade machines to play on too, as well as
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The kids’ menu deal is available from 12pm-6pm Sunday to Friday, the closing date for entries is 1 September, and the prize categories are split from 11 and under to12 and above.
You can now have dinner in the actual dressing rooms at Co-op Live
Daisy Jackson
Co-op Live has now launched exclusive backstage dining experiences – which means you could be having dinner inside the very dressing rooms that have hosted music megastars.
These new groundbreaking new Backstage Private Dining experiences feature menus curated by Simon Rimmer.
This will be the first time that the arena’s most exclusive artist areas have been open to guests.
There’ll be 10 selected dates from May 2026, where ticket-holders can eat dinner in dressing rooms that were previously occupied by the likes of Lady Gaga and Bruce Springsteen.
Guests will be able to choose from several packages, from intimate receptions and private three-course dinners inside the dressing rooms, to lavish extras like a Bentley chauffeur-driven arrival, live entertainment, and extended backstage access.
The most premium package will also offer access to Co-op Live’s adidas Originals recording studio.
Proceeds from the Backstage Private Dining will go towards supporting Co-op Live’s official charity partner, the Co-op Foundation, which tackles inequality and supports communities across the UK.
Chef Simon Rimmer commented: “Having worked with Co-op Live for some time, it’s incredibly exciting to now be involved with this unique series of Backstage Private Dining.
“It’s a rare opportunity to further combine the world-class music venue with exceptional food, and I can’t wait to showcase how these experiences can come to life together, creating truly unforgettable evenings for our guests.”
Becci Thomson, Chief Commercial Officer at Co-op Live, said: “From day one, our ambition has been to challenge expectations of what an arena can deliver, and we’re now delighted to introduce a new dimension of premium hospitality at Co-op Live.
“This collaboration unlocks new creative potential within the venue, offering experiences that have not previously been possible. It reflects our commitment to innovation and meaningful impact within the communities we support.”
Designed and delivered in partnership with Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), Founder and CEO Liz Taylor said: “Opportunities like this are rare. Co-op Live is a venue built for scale, spectacle and ambition — and that’s exactly how we are approaching these events.
“Whether it’s an intimate milestone celebration or a brand hosting at the highest level, these will be immersive, one-night-only experiences designed to deliver real impact. We are proud to have been chosen to help shape this next chapter, bringing creativity, precision and bold thinking to a space that demands nothing less.”
Salford industrial estate bakery with incredible cinnamon rolls to open new site
Daisy Jackson
Mayya Bakery, a local ‘hidden gem’ with incredible cinnamon rolls, is set to open a brand-new bakery that will make it significantly less hidden.
Until now, Mayya has been quietly trading from an industrial estate in Salford, where it’s built a great reputation for its bakes despite an off-the-beaten-track-location and relatively little social media fanfare.
It opened its doors in 2024, operated by former primary school teacher Meli and her husband, dentist Oguz.
This is an artisan bakery with a real Turkish flare, with plenty of comfort food like freshly made gözleme (or gozzies for short) and bigger dishes if you fancy sitting in.
Their counters are stuffed with sweet bakes, like their perfect cinnamon rolls, plus loaves, babka, cookies, and homemade cheesecake.
For bigger dishes, you’ll find breakfast dishes like Turkish eggs, Simit (a traditional sesame bagel) breakfasts, and menemen.
The counters at Mayya Bakery’s current locationIncredible cheesecake at Mayya BakerySigns on Chapel Street Salford for the new Mayya Bakery
And now Mayya Bakery has revealed plans to open a new location in a much more prominent spot in town, with signs appearing in the windows of a unit on Chapel Street.
The sign reads: “Everything is homemade – including this picture.”
It also quips: “They called us hidden gem… not hidden anymore.”
Mayya will open on Chapel Street soon – keep an eye on our food and drink Instagram page The Manc Eats for the latest.
Danny Jones -
19th July 2024 
