A tiny bakery in Didsbury has just been named the best bakery at England’s Business Awards.
La Chouquette creates traditional French pastries, desserts and cakes using top-quality ingredients.
It first opened its doors on Wilmslow Road during lockdown, and quickly had people queueing down the street.
Its customers were so eager in the early days that La Chouquette had to expand into the unit next door so they could make even more sweet treats.
La Chouquette bakery in Didsbury. Credit: The Manc Group
La Chouquette bakery in Didsbury. Credit: The Manc Group
On their counters and in the baskets lining the windows, you’ll find everything from delicate viennoiseries to hearty savoury pies and tarts.
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La Chouquette’s almond croissants fly out of the doors, alongside freshly-baked baguettes and sourdough loaves.
The business was founded by Mairead Deignan and Florent Verove, both 26 and professional bakers.
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The pair say they’re ‘very excited’ to receive the accolade, and thanked their staff and customers for the unwavering support they’ve received.
Fresh bread at La Chouquette. Credit: The Manc Group
In a post on social media, they wrote: “We are very excited to announce that we won the GRAND FINAL at the England’s Business awards for Best Bakery!!
“After winning the regional awards in November 2021, we were entered into the final stage of the awards which were held last month in Manchester!
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“It has been such a journey since we opened in December 2020 and we could not have done any of this without our fabulous staff, our wholesale customers, our friends & family, and of course your support.
“Thank you all our customers who have been absolutely amazing and so loyal to us since we first opened and for all your votes that helped us win the regional awards in November and now the final this year!
“Also a huge thank you to @urbanbakersmcr and @slabbakery for supplying us with their delicious vegan and gluten free cakes!!
“We are very excited for the future of La Chouquette! This means so much to us x.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
Manchester
Popular Manchester bar Three Little Words launches full espresso martini menu
Daisy Jackson
One of Manchester’s best cocktail bars is rolling out a whole menu dedicated to espresso martinis, in celebration of Espresso Martini Week.
Three Little Words, a bar, restaurant and distillery tucked beneath the arches of Manchester Central, is teaming up with Australian coffee liqueur brand Mr Black to craft the ultimate experience for espresso martini fans.
If you like your cocktails with a kick of caffeine, this is a week dedicated to the world’s most iconic coffee cocktail that you don’t want to miss.
They’re even giving you a chance to win a cocktail tree of four drinks for free.
Three Little Words takes its spirits seriously – it’s founded by Manchester Gin, and the bar is home to the Spirit of Manchester Distillery.
That means a whole host of gins and vodkas are distilled right next to where you’ll be ordering your cocktails from, including Sphere Vanilla and Tonka vodka, which happens to be the perfect base for an espresso martini.
It’s not just the alcohol that’s taken seriously here either, with Three Little Words teaming up with the legendary Mancoco to create a custom coffee blend specifically for espresso martinis.
Espresso Martini tree at Three Little WordsThree Little Words in Manchester has a full espresso martini menu
Running from Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 March, Three Little Words has a full menu of five different espresso martinis for you to try.
There’s the classic you already know and love, made with Sphere Vanilla and Tonka Vodka and Mr Black Coffee Liqueur.
Then there’s a mind-bending illusion of an espresso martini, the bar’s brand-new Clear Collection #1 – it’s a completely clear cocktail (compared to the usual dark brown espresso martini), which still delivers all the velvety intensity of the classic.
You can also order a Flat White Martini, which has Baileys in it; a Black Cherry Martini, featuring One-Eyed Rebel Black Cherry Spiced Rum; and the Mayan Martini, made with tequila and espresso.
Or if you can’t decide, order an espresso martini tree and you can mix and match any four espresso martinis in one go.
On Espresso Martini Day itself, which falls on Saturday 15 March, there’ll be Espresso Martini Tarot Cards in play – pick the winning card, and your espresso martini tree is free.
Three Little Words’ Espresso Martini Week celebrations will run from 12 until 16 March – find out more HERE.
10 hot properties for sale in Greater Manchester | March 2025
Emily Sergeant
Every month, we show you some of the hottest properties currently on the market in Greater Manchester.
It’s safe to say that Mancunians love a good nosey around other peoples’ houses, and after all, Greater Manchester is a brilliant place to live.
But what can your money currently get you in the area?
In our monthly Hot Property series, we scour the internet to find 10 more of the most diverse, jaw-dropping, accessible, and beautifully-presented homes currently on the market in Greater Manchester for you to take a look at.
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Hornbeam Close
Smithills, Bolton, Greater Manchester, BL1
PLM
Hornbeam Close / Credit: PLM
Detached | x5 Bedrooms | x3 Bathrooms
Occupying an enviable plot on one of Bolton’s most unique and historic housing development’s in the popular area of Smithills, with a wide range of amenities, local schooling options, convenient transport links, and access to sprawling countryside on the doorstep, is this immaculately-presented five bedroom detached family home.
Offered to the market in spotless condition, and ready for growing families of all sizes to move straight into, some of the stand-out features of this property have to be the large open-plan kitchen diner with bespoke modern kitchen units and living space on the side, and the five light and spacious bedrooms.
Externally, the property continues to impress.
There is a large driveway and double garage to the front, providing off-road parking for several vehicles, and to the rear you’ll find both paved and lawned garden areas.
Hornbeam Close / Credit: PLM
The property is currently on the market with Bolton-based independent estate agents PLM for £699,999 (Offers in Excess of).
This truly is a stunning property, from top to bottom.
Appearing to be rather unassuming from the outside, once you step foot inside this stone-build four bedroom end terraced property in the heart of the ever sought-after Saddleworth village of Uppermill – which is known and loved for providing the best of semi-rural living with the convenience of amenities nearby – you’ll find an immaculate family home that’s ready to move in to.
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No expense has been spared by the current owners when completing the renovations of this property, with each room meticulously-designed to maximise everything you need from modern-day living, while still retaining character and charm.
Externally, you’ll find designated off-road parking space for one vehicle to the rear, as well as a small decked area and access to a communal garden.
High Street / Credit: West Riding
The property is currently on the market with Uppermill-based independent estate agents, West Riding, for £360,000.
Conveniently found on the ground floor of Murrays Mills, one of Ancoats’ most well-known and sought-after mill conversions, is this stunning three-bedroom duplex apartment that has been renovated to a high standard throughout by the current owners, yet still retains plenty of original features like exposed brickwork, beams, sash windows, and grand staircases.
The property boats open-plan living throughout, offering flexible spaces for prospective buyers to make their own, as well as three good-sized bedrooms – including one with an en-suite.
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As well as being conveniently-located in one of Manchester city centre’s most desired residential neighbourhoods, with everything you could want from city living just steps from your front door, the property also benefits from a 24/7 concierge service and secure allocated parking.
Murrays Mills / Credit: Julie Twist Properties
The property is currently on the market with Manchester city centre-based estate agents, Julie Twist Properties, for £500,000 (Offers Over).
Nestled on the edge of the picturesque Light Oaks Park, estate agents say this charming Edwardian four-bedroom semi-detached family home in Salford presents an ‘exceptional opportunity’ for those seeking a ‘spacious and characterful’ property to call their own, being particularly ideally-suited for a growing family in search of their dream home.
Spread over three floors, the home has been tastefully decorated by the current owners, harmoniously-blending traditional character features with contemporary living.
The house boasts a generous lower ground floor basement level, offering exciting potential for conversion, as well as an integral garage underneath and off-road driveway parking to the front, and a large lawned garden space to the rear.
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Light Oaks Road / Credit: Keenans
The property is currently on the market with the Swinton branch of local estate agency chain, Keenans, for £575,000 (Offers Over).
One of the most unique properties in the whole of Rochdale is ACTUALLY on the market.
Dating all the way back to 1760, this is Cleggswood Heys Farm – what estate agents are, quite rightly, calling a ‘truly exceptional’ five-bedroom detached residence nestled in an idyllic and private position off Milbury Drive, merely moments away from Hollingworth Lake, as well as a wide range of amenities, good local schooling options, and transport links across Greater Manchester.
This exquisite home seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary elegance, offering an impressive more than 3,000 sq ft of meticulously-curated living space.
If having Hollingworth Lake on your doorstep wasn’t impressive enough as it is, the property also boasts its own expansive manicured gardens.
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Cleggswood Heys Farm / Credit: Cowell & Norford
The property is currently on the market with Rochdale-based independent estate agents, Cowell & Norford, for £1 million (Offers Over).
Enviably positioned quiet and popular cul-de-sac in Wigan, close to various shops and amenities, plus numerous countryside walks, local schools, and transport links across Greater Manchester, is this five-bedroom detached family home with eye-catching kerb appeal from the outside and significantly extended living space on the inside.
Internally, the home has undergone considerable change from its original design, particularly with the addition of the two-storey extension to the rear – with the result being a light, contemporary, and very spacious residence ideal for any buyers seeking a home they can simply move straight into.
To the front of the property you’ll find a small garden and off-road driveway parking, while to the rear is where you’ll find a good-sized lawned garden that’s easy to maintain.
Bakewell Drive / Credit: Regan & Hallworth
The property is currently on the market with the Wigan-based estate agents, Regan & Hallworth, for £325,000.
This stunning three-bedroom detached family home in the idyllic Tameside village of Gee Cross is a true asset to the current owners.
Built on a popular cul-de-sac in 2017 to a completely individual design, this property – which is a stone’s throw from the village centre, good local schools, and transport links, as well as surrounding countryside including Werneth Low too – has accommodations set over three floors and has a range of quality fixtures and fittings throughout.
Not only that, but there’s also contemporary-styled external landscaping that offers low maintenance living too, as well as off-road driveway parking for several vehicles.
Gerrards Wood / Credit: Bridgfords
The property is currently on the market with the Denton-based branch of estate agency chain, Bridgfords, for £450,000 (Offers Over).
Edenfield is one of Bury’s most sought-after residential areas, thanks to its semi-rural location with countryside on the doorstep, yet still being part of and conveniently close everything on offer in the attractive market town of Ramsbottom, so prospective buyers are often eager to live here in a home of their own.
This immaculately-presented four bedroom semi is no exception.
Having been lovingly-restored and modernised to a high standard by the current owners, the property now boasts light and spacious living spaces – none more evident than the large open-plan living kitchen diner with bi-fold doors out to the large rear garden which backs onto sprawling countryside.
Gincroft Lane / Credit: Keenans
The property is currently on the market with the Rawtenstall branch of estate agents, Keenans, for £400,000 (Offers Over).
Groby Bank is an imposing property that stands proudly on an enviable plot in the affluent Trafford town of Altrincham, which is loved by first time buyers, growing families, and those looking for quieter suburban life alike, thanks to its ever-growing range of amenities, excellent local schools, green spaces, and convenient transport links across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
With accommodations arranged over four floors branching off the most beautiful central staircase, the property oozes charm and character from top to bottom, with an abundance of original features among all the modernised living spaces.
Externally, the property benefits from plenty of off-road driveway parking to the side, and a large paved area with wooden canopy, and a well-maintained lawned garden to the rear.
Groby Bank / Credit: Hibbert Homes
The property is currently on the market with Hale-based independent estate agents, Hibbert Homes, for £2,195,000.
We think you’ll all agree with us when we say this is by far one of the most stunning properties currently for sale in Greater Manchester.
And can you believe it’s only in Stockport? Well, Marple shall we say, which is very much one of Stockport’s most sought-after and affluent residential areas, combining the best of semi-rural living with easy access to all the amenities in the town centre and Manchester not far off, so it’s ideally placed for peace and quiet while still within reach of modern life.
Steeped in history, Strawberry Hill dates back to the 18th century and is a fine example of Georgian architecture.
Despite this being a historic home and a well-known local landmark, once you step through the front door, you’ll see that the property has been modernised to a very high standard by the current owners, and boasts bags of flexible living space, as well as a attached barn providing plenty of potential.
Strawberry Hill / Credit: TAUK
The property is currently on the market with national estate agents, TAUK, for a Guide Price of £1.5 million.
Daisy Jackson -
15th April 2022 
