Sugo Pasta Kitchen is hoping to crowdfund its way to its third restaurant, saying that the banks ‘aren’t keen’ to lend to indie restaurants in the Covid climate.
The renowned Italian restaurant already has sites in Altrincham and Ancoats.
Its third, in the regenerated Stanley Square in Sale, is due to open in the coming months.
The team behind Sugo have managed to cover most of the money needed to build the restaurant themselves.
But they say they’re £85,000 short and have ‘hit a funding brick wall’.
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Food at Sugo – it hopes to open a new restaurant in Sale soon. Credit: Sugo.
They hope that their Kickstarter campaign will help them to raise the remaining funds, with supporters able to make pledges in exchange for rewards.
The rewards include meals in the restaurants, unlimited pasta for a year, and private restaurant takeovers.
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At the time of writing, they have already raised more than £17,000 from around 200 backers.
Sugo posted: “For our sins, we decided at the beginning of 2021 that we’d love to open our third restaurant and back the regeneration project taking place at Stanley Square in Sale.
📣 WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET US OPEN IN SALE! 📣
We’re £85k short for our fit out in the new year. 💰
“Since we opened our original restaurant in Altrincham in 2015 and then Ancoats in 2018, we’ve often been asked to open in Sale!
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“The project in total costs £275k, and we’ve managed to cover £190k ourselves. But, unfortunately, the banks aren’t keen to lend to indie restaurants right now due to covid, so there’s no better time for us to launch our first ever crowdfund.
“We aren’t asking for something for nothing; essentially, you’re buying gift vouchers that you can redeem at any of our restaurants whenever you choose in 2022.
“So, if you like to visit us anyway, you’re paying for your next trip to us upfront so we can finish our fit-out. That’s all there is to it.
“Alternatively, it makes a superb Christmas present too!
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“Lastly, a massive thank-you to everyone who has been part of our journey thus far. We really couldn’t have done it without you.
“The best is definitely yet to come!”
Speaking to The Manc back in July, co-owner Michael De Martiis said: “In both Altrincham and Ancoats we came in at the beginning of a new food and drink revolution and we’ve got that same buzz with Stanley Square and Sale.
“We’re going to put our heart and soul into creating a Pasta Kitchen in the heart of Sale that will be cherished for generations to come.”
Featured image:Sugo
Food & Drink
The Salmon of Knowledge pub is opening a second site in Didsbury
Danny Jones
A recent addition to the Manchester hospitality scene is building on its early success and opening up another Irish bar over in Didsbury.
Northern Quarter’s Salmon of Knowledge, which launched back in September 2024, is one of countless Irish pubs across Greater Manchester but only a handful in the vibrant district.
Having taken over the much-loved old PLY site – which sadly closed its doors last summer – they had a job on their hands to reach the same heights as the legendary late-night pizza and shuffleboard joint, but these first few months have clearly gone well enough to expand.
The increasingly popular watering hole which is one of the few places around here where you can get Murphy’s (at least in the city centre) is much more than just an Irish-themed venue: it delivers regular live music, sports on the box and great food from local brand, The Last Stop – and Didsbury is up next.
Irish favourite The Salmon of Knowledge’s sister bar comes to Didsbury later this year. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
The caption goes on to read: “Big news, Didsbury. You called and we answered. The Salmon of Knowledge is swimming upstream to bring our second site to YOU very soon!
“By popular demand, we are expanding to the suburbs, so get ready for live music, great food, live sports, and gallons of Guinness. You heard it here first… stay tuned!”
As well as a wide variety of beverages beyond the obviously stunning stouts, fans will be glad to hear the Salmon will be bringing The Last Stop’s talents with them.
From the aesthetic, prices and drinks selection to the reliable New York influences on the Heaton Chapel-based vendor’s menu, we’ve been pretty big fans of this place since minute one.
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Although they are yet to give any more information as to when we can expect The Salmon of Knowledge Didsbury to open at present, we do have an indication of where it will be popping up.
It has now been confirmed that they will be taking over the former Dockyard pub (which still has locations in Salford Quays and Spinningfields), meaning that it will sit in the heart of the busy Didsbury Village strip, which should prove great for footfall.
Just like the Stevenson Square spot, live music and sports will accompany Didsbury’s new Irish bar as well and if the phrase ‘gallons of Guinness’ doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.
New pasta kitchen Soots Pasta opens at Altrincham Market
Daisy Jackson
A little piece of pasta paradise has landed at Altrincham Market and it’s got a secret you won’t believe.
Soots Pasta has taken on a spot in the covered market, where owners and co-founders Ellie Proudfoot and Ruth Duarte are hand-making fresh pasta dishes.
They’ve named this fantastic little kitchen after their cocker spaniel, Soots.
Signature dishes here include a satisfying swirl of thick ravioli, stuffed with ricotta and served on a bed of pumpkin puree and sage butter.
There’s also a vibrant green pesto tagliatelle, laced with basil, lemon and pistachio.
As for small plates, there’s freshly-made focaccia with three different butters, plus crunchy tomato arancini.
Soots Pasta is the first solo venture for Ellie, who used to work as a private chef as well as at restaurants around the region.
Soots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc GroupSoots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc Group
She’s taken her background – which includes culinary school in France – to create this modern European menu that takes inspiration from Italy.
What’s not immediately obvious, on reading the menu or eating it, is that everything on the Soots Pasta menu is entirely vegan – and they have gluten-free pasta available on request.
The pair hope that Altrincham Market will be a launchpad to them eventually opening their first restaurant, as it’s done for so many businesses that came before it.
Soots Pasta is on Pott Street in the covered market, and is open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14 January.
Daisy Jackson -
14th December 2021 
