A petrol station in Oldham is going viral for its incredible snack selection, and it appears that TikTokers simply can’t get enough.
Monarch Service Station in Royton has seen people travelling from all over the country to sample its goodies, after videos of its mindblowing snack offering reached millions online.
The site is home to a Nisa shop and Shell forecourt, as well as the popular Smashville burgers – but it is its American snack selection that has got the internet buzzing.
Boasting a Reese’s hot chocolate dispenser (promising the perfect combination of hot chocolate and peanut butter), cereals like Lucky Charms, Hershey’s chocolate and syrups, vacuum-packed pickles, and a huge range of sweets, crisps, and drinks, it has become an unlikely pilgrimage for fans of American snacks.
With aisle upon aisle of snacks, inside you’ll find the likes of Lays, Takis, Jolly Ranchers and Sour Patch Kids,
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Image: @lucychetwndx via TikTok
Image: @lucychetwndx via TikTok
One TikToker tempted to go and pay the services a visit herself was user Lucy, known as @lucychetwndx on the social media platform.
In a video that has been viewed over 900,000 times, she first shows off the smashed burger offering from Smashville Burgers before revealing rows upon rows of American snacks.
Spanning multiple flavours of spicy Mexican crisp Takis, Pringles and Lays, alongside boxes of Timbits, Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, Tootsie Rolls and Jelly Beans, Lucy enthused over the service’s pickles in a pouch and slushie machines before honing in on its Reese’s hot chocolate dispenser.
A third said: “Guys this is my local petrol station I’ve only ever bought fuel from, I’m seeing people travel miles!”
Meanwhile, another user joked: “putting Oldham on the map.”
Featured image – Google Maps Street View
Eats
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
Bangkok Diners Club moves out of Ancoats just months after Michelin Guide win
Daisy Jackson
Bangkok Diners Club, the critically-acclaimed restaurant above the Edinburgh Castle pub, has closed its restaurant space.
The Thai restaurant was added to the Michelin Guide last October, not long after taking over the upstairs of the popular pub.
It also received a rave review in The Guardian from restaurant critic Grace Dent, who said it would be ‘one of Manchester’s hottest dining tickets’.
But now Bangkok Diners Club has decided its time in Ancoats is up, and has closed its beautiful restaurant space with immediate effect.
In an email sent to customers with reservations, they wrote that Bangkok Diners Club ‘sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle’.
Owners and husband-and-wife team Ben and Bo Humpheys aren’t leaving things there though, announcing plans to move into the Exhibition food hall on Peter Street.
Co-owner Ben Humphreys outside Bangkok Diners Club. Credit: The Manc GroupThe food earned them a place in the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
They’ll be joining MoreJoy and pasta concept Anatra in the space, but bidding farewell to their own dedicated restaurant for now.
The email sent to customers reads: “We have just noticed that the system has allowed you to make a reservation during a time that we are closed. We apologise that this has happened.
“Ben and Bo are cooking at Exhibition during 2026 and Bangkok Diners Club sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle.
“Sincerest apologies for all the inconvenience caused.”
Georgina Pellant -
27th April 2023 
