If you love yourself a good chippy tea (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t), you won’t want to miss out on this – because next week there’ll be a van handing out a load of free chippy teas in the centre of Manchester.
On Tuesday 21 September, Green Flag is teaming up with The Frying Squad to give away free portions of fish and chips to 300 lucky people from a food truck on Piccadilly Gardens.
The breakdown cover provider first began life above a fish and chip shop fifty years ago. Now, in homage to their humble salt and vinegar-filled office beginnings, the company is celebrating half a century in the game with the ultimate fish and chip collaboration.
Having begun life above a fish and chip shop in 1973, the company is taking things back to its roots to celebrate its 50th anniversary / Image: The Frying Squad
Taking it back to their roots, in honour of the company’s 50th anniversary Green Flag will be offering people a voucher for a free fish and chip lunch from the Frying Squad, who’ll be parked up nearby from 11 am – 3 pm.
You won’t want to hang about, though, as it’s first come first served and they’re only giving away 300 portions.
The giveaway comes after new research has revealed that fish and chips are the most popular British dish of all time. Of those surveyed, 69 percent voted for the chippy tea, winning out over the full English (60%) and a Sunday roast (57%) significantly.
Green Flag has teamed up with The Frying Squad to hand out free portions of fish and chips in Piccadilly Gardens next week / Image: The Frying Squad
Perhaps unsurprisingly, here in Manchester over two-thirds of people (67%) voted for fish and chips as the most British dish of all time.
The study also found that well over a third (36%) of people living in Manchester thought that eating with fingers is the best way to enjoy a fish and chips meal, compared with the 19% who preferred using a knife and fork.
The fish and chip van will be parked on Piccadilly Gardens from 11 am – 3 pm on Tuesday 21 September / Image: The Frying Squad
Mark Newberry, Commercial Director at Green Flag, commented:“It’s very exciting to be celebrating our 50th birthday.
“Since founding the business above a fish ‘n’ chip shop back in 1971, we’ve always had big ambitions here at Green Flag, using our network of local independent recovery experts to deliver excellent service and great value breakdown cover some five decades on.
“We want everyone to come together and celebrate this milestone and enjoy a fish and chip lunch from The Frying Squad, on us!”
Tiny Manchester pub brilliantly condemns ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Daisy Jackson
A micropub in Manchester city centre has spoken out about an ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech.
The Victoria Tap, a tiny little boozer at Manchester Victoria train station, strongly condemned any racist, homophobic or sexist conversations taking place in its venue.
The pub said ‘there is absolutely no room for it’ within its walls.
In a statement – which has been met with praise from customers and followers – they added that anyone bringing hate speech to the pub ‘can let the door kick you on the way out’.
The Victoria Tap wrote: “We’ve noticed an alarming rise in racist, homophobic and sexist slurs/comments/conversations lately and we just want to say that there is absolutely no room for it here.
“This is a safe space for everyone.
“If you, or someone in your group, want to disturb this philosophy, you can let the door kick you on the way out.”
The Victoria Tap has brilliantly condemned ‘alarming rise’ in hate speech
Praising their statement, one person wrote: “Great to read this. There is NO place for this. All public spaces should be welcoming.”
Another said: “Pubs should be welcoming environments for people of all walks of life. There’s no room for misogyny, racism or discrimination of any kind. Those who espouse those thoughts need a good hard look in the mirror.”
Someone else commented: “That’s how I see the Vic Tap. Great place for a safe quiet pint. Keep up the great work guys as it’s a fantastic venue.”
The Victoria Tap opened at Manchester Victoria back in 2023, completely transforming a space that was previously a bin store.
As well as its cosy interior, it has a small beer garden which overlooks the tram tracks in and out of the train station.
It’s operated by the same team behind the Piccadilly Tap and the even newer Oxford Tap.
We know exactly where we’ll be heading for our next pint now. Good work, Victoria Tap.
Luxury Manchester steak restaurant launches bottomless brunch with endless rosé
Daisy Jackson
One of the newest luxury restaurants in Manchester is bringing back its suitably luxury bottomless brunch, with endless rosé and champagne.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch, where you can sip on never-ending Whispering Angel Rosé while tucking into a flat iron steak.
And if you’re not fussed about the food and just want to indulge in 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon Champagne in a beautiful setting, there are bar-only tables available too, which come with complimentary black truffle crisps.
The whole thing will be soundtracked by a live DJ, dancers, and more.
Now, this landmark Victorian building is painted in rich blues and golds, with huge windows, private dining spaces, a sommelier lounge, and even a ‘gossip room’.
The Cut & Craft is reintroducing its bottomless brunch
Its bottomless brunch launched over the previous bank holidays and will be back again this August for one day only.
You can choose from bottomless Whispering Angel, Moët & Chandon Champagne, or both.
And dishes from the Cut & Craft bottomless brunch set menu include flat iron steak and chips; halloumi, steak or prawn fajitas; and grilled peach salad.
Each booking gets you 90 minutes of bottomless, with extra nibbles available like freshly shucked Carlingford oysters, caviar, olives, salted almonds, and more.
Whispering Angel tickets are £55 for bar, or £75 for restaurant.
Champagne AND Whispering Angel tickets are £80 at the bar or £100 in the restaurant.
Georgina Pellant -
15th September 2021 
