Manchester wine connoisseurs Le Social have revealed plans to open a new wine bar and tasting room in Ancoats, bringing its organic and biodynamic wines into a new permanent sit-down setting for the very first time.
Having found success during lockdown as an at-home wine delivery service, and collaborated on several pop-ups and supper clubs around Manchester, the team is now preparing to throw open the doors to its very own space this weekend, Saturday 29 January.
Here in its new trendy shipping container home, drinkers and diners can expect an ever-changing menu of natural wines, deli boards and continental plates, served on Saturdays between the hours of 2pm and 10pm.
Image: Le Social Wine
Designed for sharing amongst friends, dishes will utilise an array of authentic French, Spanish and Italian produce which, like the wine list, will all be created using responsibly sourced ingredients to help support independent farmers and producers.
You can either select a few plates from a list or create your own bespoke spread, choosing from nibbles including the likes of plump Spanish green olives and salted almonds.
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Elsewhere, you’ll find delights like Catalan sardines, Italian aubergine fillets, roasted artichoke halves, French duck rillettes and black humus, sourced straight from the Basque Country, to enjoy alongside your wine.
Image: Le Social Wine
There’ll also be a range of different cheeses, selected weekly by local suppliers the Butcher’s Quarter, and fresh bread from Ancoats’ community bakery Companio – perfect to mop up all that olive oil from the aubergine and sardines.
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Drinks-wise, the shelves are stacked with a diverse range of unique and quirky wines – all handpicked with excellent taste, individuality and character in mind. Guests are welcome to try any bottle they like for the usual retail price, plus a £5 corkage fee.
Bottles will be rotated regularly, including different options at various styles and price points to make sure Le Social’s incredible wines are accessible to everyone – no matter their budget.
Image: Le Social Wine
Due to the small nature of the space, bookings are mandatory – with tables reserved for two hours at a time.
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As well as opening up for drinkers on Saturdays, Le Social is also launching its new tasting room this week.
Designed for wine tastings, workshops and private functions, a full calendar of events is yet to be announced but will include educational tasting nights, art exhibitions, craft workshops with other Pollard Yard residents and more.
As much a lifestyle brand as a wine connoisseur, social consciousness flows throughout the entirety of Le Social with environmental and social impact factored into every element of the offering.
Beyond a passion for wine, Founder Jérôme’s wider mission is to advocate for a more inclusive and representative wine world by working with independent, sustainable and minority wine producers.
Inside the tasting room / Image: Le Social Wine
His appreciation of community and the environment translates into sourcing and pouring wines which make a positive social impact throughout the supply chain, from the people working in the vineyards to the friends and families who will live a special moment sharing them.
Speaking on the new opening, founder Jérôme Boullier said: “With Le Social I want to create an alternative wine-led space which is centred on experience and inclusivity.
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“The Wine Bar and Tasting Room will serve as cosy destinations where all are welcome to appreciate delicious wine with a purpose and food that will enhance the experience.
Image: Le Social Wine
“The intimate nature of the bar means customers will gain knowledge as well as try out something new and exciting and meet new people in doing so!
“Wine has always been part of my everyday life, as a child I was often sent to the wine cellar in my grandparents’ house to find a specific bottle for the occasion.
“Family rituals were always accompanied by wines appropriately matched, and I was invited to try from a pretty young age!
“I’m so happy that I now have the opportunity to pursue my passion in a meaningful way. I’m very excited to show the space off.”
Le Social Wine Bar will be open every Saturday from 29 January 2022 onwards. Reservations can be made directly through Le Social’s website here and bookings for the tasting room can also be found on the website.
Nine arrested in multiple coordinated raids after ‘celebrating Hitler’s birthday’ in Oldham pub
Danny Jones
Nine arrests were made earlier this week after a group of suspected neo-Nazis were discovered celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday at a pub in Oldham last month.
Alarming stuff, to say the least.
The individuals in question were arrested following a series of coordinated morning raids across multiple areas of Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford and Stockport.
Another man was taken into custody from an address in Southport, with those involved belonging to the North West arm of a far-right group known simply as ‘British Movement’.
Craft Union Pubs, who operate the establishment, said they were “absolutely appalled”. (Credit: Google Maps)
The pub in question was the Duke of Edinburgh in Royton, a town of around 21,000 people located in north Oldham; the owners, who were said to have been ‘tricked’ into allowing the celebrations, were shocked to learn the group were observing Hitler’s birthday.
Upon realising the true nature of the festivities after images were shared on social media, staff immediately reported the party to the local authorities and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers based in and around the borough were then made aware of the situation.
As seen online – including on British Movement Northern’s (BMN) own website – the pub were seen holding Nazi flags, SS bolts and the Iron Cross, even posting pictures eating a cake with swastika icing alongside captions which included the line, “the 136th birthday of Uncle A.”
Taking place on Wednesday morning, 7 May, several morning raids saw those present detained on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order Act offences, which relate to displaying written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, intended to stir up racial hatred.
During the extensive operation, everything from imitation firearms to real weapons like swords and a crossbow, along with numerous other pieces of Nazi memorabilia were found. Police are still investigating the incident and searching the relevant premises in Oldham and beyond.
Beyond shocking. (Credit: BMN)
GMP have been quick to contact Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) to advise on the materials and assess further risk; for instance, following the recovery of a suspected grenade at a property in Bolton, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was deployed and the item declared safe.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said in an official statement: “Due to the nature of the materials we recovered at the warrants today, we have liaised with colleagues at CTPNW. This is a matter of course, and it very much remains a GMP-led investigation.
“It’s important that all avenues are explored to establish the extent of the criminal offences which have been committed, and whilst our investigation is still in its early stages, we do not believe there to be a risk to the wider public.
“This group clearly has a deep fascination with ideas that we know are unsettling for communities across Greater Manchester. We must take action when concerns are raised, and where weapons are suspected, to ensure people are free to live without fear of intimidation or harm.”
Naturally, GMP are encouraging people to stay vigilant and come forward with any further information or concerns they may have.
Featured Images — British Movement Northern/GMP/Google Maps
Manchester
The shop where people queue OVERNIGHT for viral toys is coming to Trafford Centre
Thomas Melia
There’s a viral shop in Manchester where people queue for hours to get their hands on viral toys, and it’s now making its way to the Trafford Centre.
After already taking Manchester by storm when it initially opened back in March this year, viral toy shop Pop Mart now has its sights set on another new spot in one of the North West’s most iconic and popular shopping malls.
Known for stocking all the latest viral collectable crazes, Pop Mart is set to open its second Manchester site at none other than the Trafford Centre (TC) and will definitely bring in the same queues as its Market Street predecessor.
The Chinese toy and collectable shop has become in high demand for stocking just one certain toy character: Labubu
This cheeky toy character is quite a marmite topic for some, with many finding the plush toys to be cute and cuddly, while others deem Labubu ‘monsters’ to be a bit creepy and off-putting.
Are we pulling from an internal office debate? Maybe…
Regardless, Labubu are widely recognisable around the world, famed for their bunny-like ears and big, wide eyes; soft, shiny fur and, most notably, a large smile with their teeth on display.
It seems everyone is after one of these Labubu character toys, with Mancs making their commute to work through the city centre, startled by the sheer length of the queues at Pop Mart.
There’s a huge amount of Labubu characters to collect.Labubu has blown up online and will now be stocked across two Pop Mart locations across Greater Manchester.Credit: Pop Mart
One social media user even commented, “I went past on the tram at 7.30 this morning and there were half a dozen people in the queue already!”
Trends may come and go, but it seems this latest viral craze is here to stay as it’s now having a second resurgence thanks to lots of celebrity endorsements, including Love Island star Olivia Attwood.
We’re sure the Trafford Centre venue will be just as healthily stocked.
At present, there’s no official opening date for Pop Mart’s Trafford Centre store besides the ‘Coming Soon’ signage outside the shop front, but we’re sure it won’t be too long before you can get your next Labubu fix – we wouldn’t be surprised to see even more Greater Manchester locations follow.
Georgina Pellant -
24th January 2022 
