A popular independent brewery bar in Bolton has announced it is to stop accepting bookings due to an unprecedented number of no-shows.
Like numerous other hospitality venues across Greater Manchester that have reopened for outdoor service now that ‘Step Two’ in the government’s “irreversible” roadmap for lifting England’s current national lockdown has commenced, Blackedge Brewery Bar in the Horwich area of Bolton has been let down by several customers who have booked a table at its beer garden and then failed to turn up.
The issue of no-shows has sadly blighted the region’s hospitality businesses throughout the last year of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
So much so that the hospitality sector was forced to launch the #NoMoreNoShows campaign last summer following the revelation that so many customers abandoning pre-booked tables was costing the sector £16 billion a year.
Taking to Twitter to confirm that no further bookings will be taken, The Brewery Bar – part of Blackedge Brewing Co – said: “With immediate effect we are no longer accepting bookings [but] all existing bookings will be honoured.
“We will now operate on a normal walk in first come first served basis.
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“This is due to the sheer number of calls and emails that we don’t have capacity to deal with, and booking no shows”.
Blackedge Brewing Co then added: “Shame on you people that book tables at any venue and then fail to show up for your booking without giving any notice.
“Small independent businesses have had a rough year and are reliant on bums on seats.
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“If you book a venue and cant make it, let them know”.
Please RT & spread the word. Shame on you people that book tables at any venue & then fail to show up for your booking without giving any notice. Small independent businesses have had a rough year & are reliant on bums on seats. If you book a venue & cant make it let them know!
— Blackedge Brewing Co Ltd (@Blackedgebeers) April 26, 2021
Managing Director Wayne Roper, 45 – who founded Blackedge Brewery 12 years ago – has since said that he does not wish to expand upon his initial Twitter statement and decision to suspend bookings at the venue due to receiving “backlash” from locals.
The #NoMoreNoShows campaign encourages all customers to contact venues if they cannot make their reservation and rebook for a different time, and one of the early backers of the campaign – Abi Dunn at Manchester-based hospitality recruitment company, Sixty Eight People – has continued to emphasise to customers that “it’s ok to cancel”.
“In no other area of business is it acceptable to renege on a contract in this way,” she stated.
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“We have to change the way people behave and the notion that no shows are acceptable.
“Greater Manchester is a metropolis of bars, dining, coffee hang outs, gastronomic delights and nights to remember.
“Please help them all stay open”.
Featured Image – Blackedge Brewing Company Ltd
Food & Drink
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Burger King is giving away free burgers to new drivers today
Emily Sergeant
Burger King will be giving away burgers to drivers who have recently passed their tests for free of charge today.
In case it wasn’t on your radar, tomorrow (Thursday 24 July) is actually National Drive-Thru Day, and in a bid to properly celebrate this unofficial holiday, Burger King has decided to hand out a bunch of freebies to newbies today.
The fast food chain is asking all new drivers to “buckle up”, head on down to their nearest Burger King drive-thru, and help themselves to a free burger.
All newly-qualified drivers will be able to take their pick from either the Whopper or Chicken Royale without parting ways with a penny, and all they’ll need to do the claim their freebie is simply show off their learner’s ‘L Plates’ to the staff at their local Burger King restaurant.
/ Credit: Burger King UK (via Instagram) | Supplied
Hundreds of Burger King drive-thrus across the UK are taking part in the one-day promotion – including several across in Greater Manchester.
Although it might seem a little too good to be true, there’s a reason Burger King has chosen to dish out the freebies, and that’s because the company says it knows that one of the first activities newly-qualified drivers like do once they’ve passed their test is make a pit stop at a drive-thru with their mates to show off their new wheels and skills.
Sometimes though, navigating a drive-thru for the first time can be tricky, and this leaves new drivers feeling a bit like a rabbit in the headlights.
Luckily with this one-day Burger King offer, new drivers’ first drive-thru trip couldn’t be any easier.
The offer is available nationwide today (Wednesday 24 July) at Burger King drive-thru lanes only, while stock lasts, and newly qualified drivers must verbally mention “BK Plates” at the drive-thru lane to unlock their free burger.
Emily Sergeant -
28th April 2021 
