Pollen’s owners say they need the support of their fans to help them get it off the ground and grow into the new space they “desperately need”.
The duo behind the bakery, Chris Kelly and Hanna Calvert, successfully used a Kickstarter campaign to move the business from a railway arch near Manchester Piccadilly to their waterside cafe at New Islington marina back in 2018.
They’re famed for their sourdough loaves, cruffins, and other pastries and cakes, with queues out of the door most weekends.
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In the new campaign, they wrote: “The pandemic tested us in many ways but have come out the other side busier than ever and it’s more than our small space can cope with.
“We’ve been running over our realistic capacity for some time now.”
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Popular Ancoats bakery Pollen has launched a new Kickstarter campaign to help build its second site / Credit: Pollen / No Chintz Studio
The Kampus bakery will include a dedicated pastry kitchen with a glass viewing gallery, and a cafe with 60 seats inside and 30 outside.
It’s one of the latest businesses to join the rapidly growing new Capital & Centric neighbourhood, across the water from Canal Street.
Pollen will join the likes of Nell’s New York Pizza and General Stores, as well as the pop-up residencies running at The Bungalow.
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The Kickstarter post continued: “We cant quite believe we are on the cusp of opening a second location and the rate at which the bakery has grown and gone from strength to strength.
“There’s no question without your support this far, we would not be where we are today.
“Everything we do is for you, our customers and the community, this next step will allow us to reach more of you and become more accessible.”
Just days after launching, the Kickstarter has already received £15,000 from more than 200 backers, with 11 days still to go until fundraising efforts end.
Rewards on offer include tickets to an exclusive supper club, the chance to pre-order a wedding or celebration cake, merchandise, workshops, brunches and bread loaves.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb
Thomas Melia
Much-loved Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five has just unveiled a beautiful refurbishment at one of its Manchester sites, along with a new menu of fresh, handmade pasta.
Gone is the famous yellow colour palette of this Italian eatery as they swap in a sophisticated and regal turquoise blue at their Liverpool Road restaurant.
This establishment is known for its impressive shop-window pasta making stations where you can see your food prepared live in-store and while walking past outside the venue.
They’re continuing their foodie legacy serving carby creations, like a flaming cheese wheel pasta where staff blowtorch the cheese to ensure it’s as melty as possible.
One of the biggest menu highlights at Italiana Fifty-Five is the cappellacci, which comes in two equally gorgeous forms and much like its English translation, emulates tiny hats.
These cute little plates come in two delicious stuffed pairings – the burrata, combined with a tangy tomato and beef filling, and a salmon with cream sauce and fresh lemon for a match made in heaven.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
How can you think of anything more ideal than a table full of hearty and home-comforting meals than one that also features an array of beautiful sides?
Usual delights like the burrata on a bed of rocket, tomato and finished off with a balsamic vinegar glaze area great addition to your already faultless food.
Cheesy garlic pizza bread is quintessential when dining in an Italian restaurant, and Italiana 55’s lovely flavour-packed favourite is a go-to when ordering here.
The Liverpool Road restaurant also has a tonnata pizza which uses toppings that are an exact ingredient breakdown of the Mediterranean sauce, which it shares its name with.
In photos: Italiana Fifty-Five has undergone a refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to wolf down some incredible Italian feasts than with some perfectly paired alcoholic offerings like the classic Aperol spritz, trusted espresso martinis and a selection of fine wines.
Their menu is staying as tasty as ever with their delicious pizzas and pastas, with the new fresh pasta menu available at their restaurants on Liverpool Road and in Didsbury.
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
Daisy Jackson -
9th November 2021 
