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AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 Mancs are being urged to bring tins of beans to upcoming gig – for a very wholesome reason
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Gig-goers in Manchester are being urged to bring tins of beans and other non-perishable items to a concert with them this month, for an excellent cause.
Squeeze are once again calling on fans, if they are able, to support UK charity helping those struggling this winter.
The band will be installing collection points at venues right across their tour, including their upcoming gig at the O2 Apollo in Manchester.
As Squeeze’s biggest ever UK headline tour, Tried, Tested and Trixies, joined by special guest Billy Bragg, launches this week, the iconic rock band are encouraging fans to help tackle food poverty by donating whatever they are able to.
Squeeze’s chosen charity, Trussell, is committed to alleviating nationwide poverty, through supplying emergency food and support to those in need and have been involved with the band for eight years and counting.
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Since the beginning of the relationship back in 2018, generous fans attending Squeeze and Glenn Tilbrook shows have supported the initiative by donating an extraordinary 5.15 tons of food and raised £72,552 for Trussell’s food banks.
For the Manchester gig, collection points will be available at the O2 Apollo on Monday 23 November, where fans can donate non-perishable food items or make financial contributions towards the appeal. All donations will go directly to Trussell’s food banks, making a tangible difference to members of our communities.
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It is important to note that fans are encouraged to check what their local food bank needs most before donating. Further guidance can be found HERE.
Glenn Tilbrook says: “When I first started collecting for food banks back in 2018, I had no idea how much our fans would take it to heart. The response has been overwhelming, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.
“But it’s deeply troubling that, eight years later, so many people are still struggling to put food on the table. The need hasn’t gone away, and neither has our determination to help.
“If you’re coming to see us, please bring something along if you can, whether it’s a few tins of food or a couple of pounds. The audiences have been brilliant in the past, and I’m hoping we can make this our biggest collection yet.”
Chris Difford adds: “Our fans have been absolutely incredible in the way they’ve supported Trussell over the years. It’s genuinely moving to see people arriving at our shows carrying bags of food, knowing that what they’ve brought will help someone in the local community.
“We’ve always been very lucky to have such loyal and generous audiences, and this is another reminder of just how special they are. We’re hoping everyone will get behind the collections again on this tour. Even a small donation can make a real difference.”
Food banks across the UK continue to face enormous pressure, especially during winter, with households struggling with the rising costs of heating, food and other essentials that many of us take for granted.
Trussell recently shared that food banks in its community provided more than 2.6 million emergency food parcels last year, with over 900,000 of those parcels for children, as well as the amount of parcels provided to the elderly more than tripling between 2019 and 2025.
Emma Revie, co-chief executive of Trussell, said: “Too many people this winter will be struggling to make ends meet, as families are forced to make impossible decisions like whether to put food on the table or turn their heating on.
“Shockingly, we expect our community of food banks to distribute around 600,000 emergency food parcels to people facing hunger and hardship this winter. This isn’t right, and we refuse to stand by while so many of us can’t afford to eat, keep warm and pay the bills.
“That’s why we are so grateful to Squeeze for supporting Trussell once again on their upcoming tour. The band and their fans generosity will make a huge difference and allow our food banks to continue providing vital support to people without enough money to live on.”
Aside from this initiative, Squeeze will also be donating £1 for every ticket sold throughout their 16-date UK tour, to support grassroots music venues, artists, and promoters, recognising the role the independent music scene plays in nurturing future generations.
This tour, celebrating the release of the band’s critically acclaimed new studio album, Trixies is to be one to remember, combining new music with classics such as ‘Up The Junction,’ ‘Cool For Cats,’ and ‘Tempted.’
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Trixies is both the band’s first studio album in eight years as well as being the first album the band ever wrote which has received widespread acclaim, with MOJO awarding it five stars.
Trust us this isn’t one to miss – click HERE to get your hands on some of the last remaining tickers of rthe Manchester gig.
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Look inside Greater Manchester’s huge new street food venue, opening VERY soon
Daisy Jackson
There’s not long to go until a massive new street food venue opens its doors in Greater Manchester – Stack Wigan is almost ready to launch.
The 2,000-capacity food, drink and entertainment venue is transforming the old Debenhams in Wigan, filling it with six street food kitchens and five bars.
There’ll also be a coffee shop, a pool table area, and an outdoor terrace, plus big screens for major sporting events and a live stage for music throughout the week.
Stack Wigan will be the latest addition to Greater Manchester’s street food scene, with the same company also taking over the much-loved former Hatch site on Oxford Road.
With the doors to Stack Wigan set to open this month, they’ve now confirmed the full street food line-up, with Pattersons, Acropolis, ZZA Pizzeria, Tikka Bros, Smash House and Hello Oriental all joining the venue.
Tikka Bros will be a familiar name to most from Wigan, having opened its first outlet in the town centre before expanding to Southport Market – in this new site, they’ll serve fresh, tandoor-cooked dishes.
Smash House will bring smash burgers, while Pattersons will be serving their famous fried chicken (with Exorcist sauce, if you can handle it).
Manchester’s Hello Oriental will also be expanding to Stack Wigan, with a menu from across South East Asia; Acropolis will be on hand with chicken gyros in fluffy Greek pitta; and ZZA Pizzeria (a firm favourite at existing Stack venues) will serve stonebaked pizzas.
The opening will be transforming one of the largest units in Wigan, and will create around 140 jobs.
Gemma Dishman, Director of Strategy and Development at STACK, said: “Independent street food is a big part of what makes STACK special, and we’ve brought together a strong mix of local talent and well-established food operators for Wigan.
“Each brings something different to the line-up, giving customers plenty of choice and the opportunity to discover new flavours alongside their favourites.
“Bringing the former Debenhams back to life is about more than filling an empty building. We’re creating a place where people can come together for food, live entertainment and shared experiences, giving them more reasons to spend time in Wigan town centre.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone this November.”
Mike Matthews, Centre Manager at Grand Arcade, said: “STACK will significantly expand the food offer at Grand Arcade, adding six street food kitchens alongside our existing coffee shops.
“It gives shoppers much more choice when stopping for lunch or meeting friends, encouraging them to spend longer in the centre and supporting our retailers. With its own evening opening hours, STACK will also bring activity to Grand Arcade beyond the shopping day.
“Securing a new use for a unit of this scale is a significant milestone for Grand Arcade. STACK complements our retail offer and reflects our focus on developing a carefully curated mix of shops and leisure that responds to how people want to use the centre.”
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