In an effort to get people more politically engaged this summer, a number of local breweries have banded together to create a great way of incentivising people to vote: a free pint.
Now that’s talking in the language of the people.
Prime Minister Rishi Suank called a general election last month, with the vote set to take place on Thursday, 4 July, but there is still always the problem of making sure enough people get to the polling booths and express their democratic rights.
X doesn’t just mark the spot, it can make a difference and get you a free pint too – all with just one vote. (Credit: Supplied)
As part of the clever ‘Give an X, Get a Pint’ campaign, Manchester Union Brewery, Cloudwater Brew Co, Sureshot Brewing and Northern Monk’s MCR Refectory are all offering a free pint to anyone who proves they went and cast their vote in the 2024 general election.
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The process is simple: head to your local polling station, be it a church, primary school, or library, and cast your vote.
After that, you need to snap a picture outside the polling station as proof of your participation – though strictly NO pictures should be taken inside the building itself as these could incur a legal fine and will therefore NOT be valid – then tag all four breweries and post on your socials.
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Once done, all you need to do is bring along your polling card to one of the breweries’ four participating and show your social media post too.
These are the following watering holes where you can then grab your free pint:
Sureshot Taproom – 4 Sheffield St, Manchester M1 2ND
Cloudwater Taproom – Piccadilly Trading Estate, Unit 9, Gidding Rd, Manchester M1 2NP
Manchester Union – available at The New Cross 6 Cross Keys St, Manchester M4 5ET
Northern Monk Refectory – 10 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
Aiming to encourage young voters in particular to engage in the democratic process, this is a fun rewarding way to ensure their voices are heard, and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate democracy than with some of the best craft breweries in the UK.
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These are fundamentally Northern independent businesses too, and we’re sure you’ll agree that’s something we can and should all get behind at this time.
Commenting on the initiative in a joint statement, the breweries said: “We believe this campaign not only supports democratic engagement but also highlights the incredible contributions of our local breweries. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in spreading the word about this initiative.”
So don’t miss out on your chance to make a difference and grab yourself a free drink, give an X and get a pint this polling day.
Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant team to take over iconic NQ venue
Daisy Jackson
The team who earned Cantaloupe a Michelin Bib Gourmand are moving into Manchester city centre – and into a site we all know pretty well.
The Cantaloupe team are about to embark on a new venture with Rasade, a new French restaurant in the site of the former TNQ in the Northern Quarter.
The old neighbourhood restaurant announced its shock closure earlier this year, after more than two decades serving Manchester.
But now the beautiful corner building on High Street is under new ownership, and in very safe hands.
Shortly after pivoting Cantaloupe into Bar Caput (a more casual neighbourhood offering), the duo behind it, Joshua Reed Cooper and Mike Thomas, have announced they’re launching Rasade in Manchester city centre.
Rasade in French refers to a glass filled to the brim, traditionally of wine or another drink.
The new French restaurant will showcase regional French cooking and seasonal local produce, drawing inspiration from France’s diverse regions.
This won’t be a stuffy French restaurant though – they’re aiming to create the relaxed spirit of a bistro with their serious commitment to traditional cooking.
Early menus show dishes like oysters with mignonette, langoustine with Karri-Gosse, and pâté de campagne, plus brill with rancio sec and mushroom fricassée, and pork chop with garniture Mirabeau.
And as for desserts, expect classics like a tarte Tatin designed for two to share, alongside flan pâtissier and Opéra religieuse.
Alongside the cooking, an extensive French wine offering will span the many, many wine regions of the country, featuring both small and unusual producers as well as more established names.
Mike and Josh now want to build on the success they quickly found in Stockport with this new city centre venture, bringing the same focus on good produce, thoughtful cooking and an informal approach to hospitality.
Rasade will open at 108 High Street in the Northern Quarter later this year.
What is the UK’s national dish? New survey reveals Brits’ pick in landslide victory
Emily Sergeant
If you’ve ever thought to Google the question ‘what is Britain’s national dish?’, then you probably came away thinking it’s chicken tikka masala.
But is that actually the truth? A new survey has disproved the claim, massively.
There’s no denying that chicken tikka masala – an Indian curry that’s actually widely thought to have been created in Britain – is a popular dish that’s loved by many, but despite what many headlines have claimed over the years, a new YouGov survey has revealed it’s not what Brits consider to be the country’s ‘national dish’.
YouGov conducted two online surveys earlier this month, made up of 2,079 and 2,104 adults aged 18+ living in Great Britain.
And, in their own words, Brits chose fish and chips as the country’s national dish, making it the ‘resounding’ winner with 49% of the vote.
What is the UK’s national dish? A new survey has revealed Brits’ pick in a landslide victory / Credit: The Manc Group
With nearly half of the overall vote, this puts fish and chips far ahead of the roast dinner in second place, which only 24% of people picked – including the 6% who made sure to specify a beef roast.
In fact, only 3% of Brits actually name chicken tikka masala as the UK’s national dish, although 52% in the survey did confess that they eat some form of curry at least once a month, so it is still a popular pick regardless.
Fish and chips is by far the most common answer across all generations too, according to the survey (45-50%), with the biggest difference between age groups being that 18-24 year olds are less likely to have nominated roast dinner and more likely to have chosen chicken tikka masala instead.
What do Brits say is the UK’s national dish?
Fish and chips – 49%
Roast dinner – 24%
Chicken tikka masala – 3%
Curry (non-specific) – 2%
Full English breakfast – 2%
Bangers and mash – 1%
Cottage or shepherd’s pie – 1%
Other – 3%
Don’t know – 15%
The survey also showed that, of the three top contenders for the UK’s national dish, roast dinners are the most frequently eaten, as 52% of people said they eat them on a monthly basis – including 16% who do so every week.
Aside from the frequently mentioned dishes, some survey respondents also gave shoutouts to the full English breakfast (2%), bangers and mash (1%), and cottage or shepherd’s pie (1%).
Danny Jones -
19th June 2024 
