Food & Drink

Iconic metal pub Grand Central has been saved from closure and will reopen next week

A last-gasp rescue mission has prevented the Oxford Road venue from shutting down after all.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th July 2021

Manchester’s legendary metal pub Grand Central has been saved from closure and is set to reopen its doors next week.

It was announced last Friday that the city centre’s staple metal music and gig venue would be permanently closing its doors after 20 years – with the venue confirming on social media that it would “not be reopening the way it was”.

Devastated punters even decided to take matters into their own hands and launch a petition to save the venue – which eventually amassed over 900 signatures.

But just days later, Grand Central appears to have been rescued.

A reopening date has been set for Thursday 5 August – with owners claiming they “endeavour to keep the ethos and music policy of Grand Central alive and growing far into the future”.

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Grand Central has been at the heart of Manchester’s alternative scene for decades / Credit: Grand Central

“We know that after this very difficult year for the hospitality industry, we are going to find it difficult at times,” Grand Central’s owners continued.

“But with the wealth of experience in the industry that we bring to the table and the support of the regulars old and new and the amazing community that Grand Central is at the heart of, we will succeed.”

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The immediate plans are to re-open ‘Subway’ in the basement of the legendary venue “as soon as humanly possible” and to start booking bands, live acts and DJs.

Owners are also looking to start working with promoters to bring some “amazing new nights” to the venue.

Featured Image – Grand Central

Food & Drink

Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Noodle Alley in Chinatown has issued a CCTV appeal on a dine-and-dash customer

Noodle Alley, a cosy restaurant in Chinatown, has shared CCTV footage of a customer literally running away with an unpaid bill.

The noodle bar is famed for its spicy dishes, hailing from co-owner Wendy Ren’s native Sichuan province.

It’s become a firm favourite in Manchester’s Chinatown since launching in 2023 – but the team have been left stung by a customer dine-and-dash this week.

And it’s the most literal case of a dine-and-dash we’ve ever seen, with CCTV footage shared by Noodle Alley showing the moment the customer sprints out the door, with impressive speed for a man in sliders.

The video also shows the staff chasing the runaway customer, to no avail.

In a heartfelt statement shared online, Noodle Alley said that ‘every meal matters’ when small businesses like theirs are struggling with rising costs.

They also said that the CCTV has been sent to the police in the hopes of catching the man.

In their full statement, Noodle Alley wrote: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.

“This isn’t just about the money. Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.

“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.

“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.

“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.

“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you. Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Food & Drink

Work on Greater Manchester’s very own ‘Tebay-style’ motorway service station is finally underway

Danny Jones Danny Jones New Tebay service station Altrincham Tatton Greater Manchester

You heard us right: the time has come for Greater Manchester to level up its service station game, as work on the long-talked-about Tebay-style venue over in Trafford has finally begun.

Those motorway trips are about to get even better.

We first heard about the vision to provide a brand-new Tatton Services back in March 2022, with the Westmorland Family – known not only for Tebay but the similarly popular Gloucester and Cairns Lodge equivalents – promising to deliver a new top-quality stop-off point in the region.

It’s one that people across the North West have been keeping a keen eye on ever since, and now the dial is finally moving on the major project. You can see more detailed images here:

Credit: Publicity pictures (via Westmorland Family)

With the Westmorlands and the official Tatton Estate agreeing a partnership that weighs heavily in the former’s favour, the new services will be located around the M56 near the Bowdon Roundabout in Altrincham.

Bordering the electoral ward of Trafford and Cheshire, it is set to be located between junctions seven and eight of the M6 motorway near neighbouring Millington and Rostherne.

It’s estimated to cost more than £65 million and will be one of the most expensive developments of its kind the country has ever seen, with only the pending Chalfont St Peter station by Extra Motorway Services Group set to be more expensive (approximately £90m).

As per Forecourt Trader, the blueprints include a dedicated 100-room hotel, one of their trademark farm shops that those travelling rave about so much, a petrol station, as well as 40 charging bays for electric vehicles. Service station facilities have come a long way since 1972, when Tebay first opened.

However, while plans are at long last getting underway, it will be arriving much later than expected, with the initial opening date slated for some time later this year; instead, it is now they are now aiming for spring 2028, meaning you’ll just have to make do with the OG for now.

We promise this was purely a coincidence on our way back from Kendal Calling 2026, by the way…

Speaking on behalf of family, the Tatton Services Proposal team, and members of the estate, Westmorland chair Sarah Dunning said in a recent statement on the update: “We’re very excited to bring our proper food offer and ethos to Cheshire.

“From day one, this is about creating something rooted in the local landscape and community. We have committed to working with at least 70 producers within 30 miles of the site – and we hope that number will grow as relationships flourish.

“We’re also creating over 400 skilled jobs for local people, alongside apprenticeships and training programmes designed to build meaningful, long-term careers in the food industry. Our ambition is not only to serve travellers but to create opportunities and lasting value for the communities around us.”

What do you make of the proposed plans for the ‘next Tebay‘?

tatton services map
Credit: Westmorland

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Featured Images — Westmorland Family

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