Food & Drink

The Botanist’s ‘secret garden’ in Alderley Edge is reopening two weeks early

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 20th April 2021

One of Alderley Edge’s most popular hangouts is reopening its “not-so-secret” garden area just in time for the Bank Holiday.

Now that ‘Step Two’ in the government’s roadmap to lifting England’s current national lockdown has commenced – which crucially allowed hospitality businesses to reopen for outdoor service only – The Botanist has announced plans to reopen doors to its Alderley Edge venue at the end of this month, which is two weeks earlier than initially planned to give fans the chance to get their fix.

While there will be a collection of tables out front of the much-loved venue, the real magic happens behind the building.

Located to the rear of the London Road bar and restaurant, The Botanist’s secret garden features a number of socially-distanced tables and benches surrounded by plants, botanicals, and a signature plant silhouette mural.

https://www.facebook.com/TheBotanist/posts/4561646003864556

A selection of fan-favourite cocktails and a delicious line-up of draft beer – including Spanish lager Madri – will be on offer, alongside an extensive food menu and The Botanist’s famous hanging kebabs.

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The Botanist’s in-venue app is designed to ensure a smooth, seamless and COVID-safe alfresco service, to make sure guests get their favourite dishes and drinks as quickly as possible.

Walk-ins will be welcomed daily, and you can also make a booking in advanced.

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Speaking ahead of next weekend’s reopening, Leane Patching – from The Botanist Alderley Edge – said: “We’re delighted to be able to open a few weeks earlier than originally anticipated [and] we’re hoping for a warm May Bank Holiday – but we have heaters should the British weather not play its part”.

The Botanist

The Botanist Alderley Edge reopens to the public on Friday 30th April.

Bookings are now open for both the outdoor terrace – between 30th April and 16th May – and the whole venue from 17th May onwards.

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You can make a booking here.

Featured Image – The Botanist Alderley Edge

Food & Drink

Northern Quarter favourite Pie and Ale has sadly closed down

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pie and Ale Manchester closed down

Beloved Northern Quarter eatery and pub Pie and Ale has sadly and quietly closed its doors this week in yet another gutting bit of news for the Manc hospitality sector.

Known for its legendary homemade pies, great selections of ales, craft beers and lagers, not to mention a great little pub when it comes to watching live sport, it’s long been considered an NQ institution.

Unfortunately, however, as confirmed by a sign posted in the window, Pie and Ale has now closed for business after more than a decade.

Safe to say, we’re absolutely gutted, as we’re sure everyone else is.

Credit: The Manc Eats

While no official announcement has been made on their social media as yet, which will no doubt receive love and sadness from its loyal following, the sign in the window simply reads: “Pie and Ale has unfortunately ceased trading. Apologies for any inconvenience.”

The local favourite which was always hailed for being great value for money – celebrated especially for its popular pie and a pint for under a tenner deal – also served up great nibbles and light bites as well as dessert specials.

Although the Lever Street spot previously shut down for a short spell back in 2018 due to what they labelled as “unforeseen circumstances” before reopening just two months later, this latest update looks pretty definitive.

Sister-site Bakerie also ceased trading back in April 2019, with husband and wife founders, Alyson Doocey and David Cook, admitting that all independents had been “feeling the squeeze”.

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While we have few other details at this stage, it does look like Pie and Ale has indeed closed down for the foreseeable future.

A mainstay on our list of the best pies in Manchester since day dot and just the latest in the list of losses in 2024 so far, they will be sorely missed.

We sincerely hope this is like last time and will keep our fingers crossed that we see the pie pros and expert pourers back in business at some point.

RIP to an NQ icon.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Food & Drink

You can get FREE cookies at this ‘munchie exchange’ in Manchester on Saturday

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

You can get your hands on free cookies in exchange for other unopened snack foods at a popular Manchester park this weekend.

That’s right, this Saturday is 4/20… and if you don’t know what that means, just Google it.

In a bid to mark the global event, Insomnia Cookies has decided to “spark up excitement” with it’s calling its most “blazing” offer yet.

The cult late-night bakery – which has two sites here in Manchester city centre, on Cross Street inside the Royal Exchange and off University Green, as well as a newly-opened shop in Fallowfield – has aptly-named the event the ‘Munchie Exchange’, and is inviting foodie fans down to a popular park in Fallowfield for some freebies.

A box of cookies at Insomnia Cookies at Royal Exchange, Cross Street, Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
You can get FREE cookies at this ‘munchie exchange’ in Manchester on Saturday / Credit: The Manc Group | Insomnia Cookies UK

Set to be hosted across “the green green grasses” of Platt Fields Park on Saturday 20 April, the company‘s dedicated pop-up will offer laid-back Mancs the chance to upgrade their snacks with a one-of-a-kind deal. 

All 4/20 celebrators will need to do is bring unopened, non-perishable snacks either to the Platt Fields pop-up, or any of the other three Insomnia Cookies stores in Manchester on the day, and exchange them for a freshly-baked warm and delicious cookie – and no, no that kind of cookie.

The munchie trade-up isn’t only a treat for your taste buds either, as every snack collected will be donated to local Manchester foodbanks.

Beyond the exchange, there’ll also be a ‘secret’ 4/20 offer that’s available for one day only too, and it means you can get yourself a box of four classic cookies for only £4.20 when you head to any of the three Insomnia Cookies stores in Manchester and say “I’ve got the munchies” to the cookie crews serving them to redeem.

“We’re all about bringing joy and deliciousness to our fans, and will be serving up in Platt Fields Park for one-day only,” commented Millie Ralston, who is the Senior Marketing Manager at Insomnia Cookies, ahead of this Saturday’s event.

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“It’s our way of leaf-ing a mark on the 20 April, and celebrating the high life with flavours that are too good to puff, puff, pass up.”

Featured Image – Insomnia Cookies

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