Just in case you need a little reminder, Valentine’s Day isn’t so far off now.
In just under a month’s time, couples all over the world will be marking the international day of love with the people they care about the most, and for those who are keen to celebrate in style, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that its special ‘Valentine’s Night’ luxury dining experiences are back once again by popular demand.
This means that lovebirds can hop on-board a vintage steam train and enjoy a four-course meal while riding through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside as the sun sets.
Part of ELR’s ongoing – and massively-popular – ‘Dining with Distinction’ series, which runs all throughout the year, these Valentine’s Night luxury dining experiences are promising to provide couples with an “elegant” and “atmospheric” evening as they travel through the Irwell Valley and raise a toast to each other to celebrate their love.
East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Valentine’s Night’ dining experiences are back by popular demand / Credit: ELR
This romantic experience is on board a pullman-style steam train carriage, with polished panelling and luxurious seating.
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Priced at £79 per person – or just £280 for a table of four, if you fancy taking your ‘Galentines’ instead -all guests will have a personal waiter or waitress for the evening, who’ll make sure everything is taken care of everything, from the Prosecco welcome, right through to the after-dinner chocolates.
Once couples board their train for the evening, their welcome drink will be accompanied by a live music reception to set the mood, all before they sit down to enjoy and tuck into a mouthwatering four-course meal.
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The train journey lasts just under three hours, and all dietary requirements can be catered for.
Tickets are now on sale from £79 per person / Credit: ELR
“The Valentine’s night Dining with Distinction experience is one that every couple can enjoy,” admitted Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway.
“It’s great to see so many new memories being made, and couples celebrating the day with something uniquely different, especially as our volunteers work extremely hard to ensure that every couple has the Valentine’s Day of their dreams.”
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Emily Sergeant -
15th January 2024 
