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.
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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.
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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.
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“We want everyone to come together and celebrate this milestone and enjoy a fish and chip lunch from The Frying Squad, on us!”
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Huge Manchester street food event postponed amid severe weather
Daisy Jackson
A big food festival that was set to take place in Manchester this weekend has been postponed due to the severe storm warning.
GRUB at The Club, which is set to celebrate 11 years of the street food heavyweights, was meant to be taking place at Fairfield Social club this weekend.
The brilliant GRUB team had planned two nights of great food and DJs to celebrate their birthday, with free birthday cake for the first 50 people through the door on Friday night.
But as Manchester is battered by basically more rain than we’ve seen all summer, organisers have made the decision to postpone the event for now.
Remember when it felt like Manchester would always be sunny, dry and warm? Those days are over, my friend.
There’s a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms today, then a forecast that features a bit more rain than we’d like for a bank holiday.
GRUB have said that this severe storm forecast has made it ‘impossible’ for the event to go ahead as planned, as they prioritise the safety and enjoyment of everyone on site.
They’ve said that the event will be rearranged to take place in September, with the exact date announced very soon.
GRUB posted: “Due to the severe storm forecast this week we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the event. The safety and enjoyment of our guests, traders and team always comes first and this weekend’s weather makes it impossible for us to go ahead as planned.
“We’re gutted. This one meant a lot to us and we know it did to you too. But GRUB At The Club is not cancelled! It’s coming back in September and we cannot wait to do this properly. Keep your eyes peeled for the new date announcement coming very soon
“The launch of FSC’s brand new pizza menu is also being pushed back. But not for long! That one’s coming very soon and trust us, it’ll be worth the wait.
“Thank you for your understanding and sorry for any inconvenience caused. We’ll see you soon.”
Keep an eye on GRUB’s Instagram for the rescheduled dates.
Georgina Pellant -
15th September 2021 
