The Manchester decorator turned biscuit maker whose fans include The Hairy Bikers
Mark Bedford counts Si King of The Hairy Bikers, Masterchef finalist Simon Wood and Great British Bake-Off champion Giuseppe Dell’Anno amongst his fans
Nosing around the stalls at Manchester Food and Drink Festival’s artisan market a few weeks back, we met Mark Bedford – a painter and decorator turned baker with a lifelong passion for Italian biscuits.
Not just a dab hand with a paintbrush, after touring Italy’s railways as a child with his train driver dad and family Mark fell in love with the country’s sweet and boozy, sometimes soft, sometimes crunchy treats.
Whilst his parents enjoyed an espresso at different stops along their route, he himself found comfort in sampling different biscuits from each region. So, he told us, began a decades-long obsession.
He later went on to train in art and sculpture in London, and in the years since he’s kept busy recreating those nostalgic childhood morsels: baking up limoncello, amaretto, orange and cherry-infused almond biscuits into the shapes of flowers, stars and homely-looking little dumplings.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
To the great pleasure of those around him, they’ve been readily available at home and often given out as presents to family and friends for years. That is until his wife suggested that he take things one step further and start selling his treats to the public.
One market event later, with his insightful wife smiling at his side, he soon realised that he had a hit on his hands. To his surprise, they sold out in under two hours – so Mark went home and spent the rest of the night baking more for the following day.
He named his company Prendi Il Biscotto, which translates, rather amusingly, to “take the biscuit”. An appropriately tongue-in-cheek idiom, considering he hasn’t a hint of Italian heritage in him – as far as he knows, anyway.
Ossa dei Morti’, ‘Bones of the Dead’. / Image: Supplied
Cherry cannoli finished with dark chocolate drops. / Image: Supplied
He’s gone on to appear at a number of markets and food festivals, including Bolton’s behemoth event – widely considered the biggest and best in the North West. It was there he met one-half of The Hairy Biker’s, Si King, who he now counts as a fan after he found him polishing off a box of biscuits by the stage.
Needless to say, he was quick to send him home with his own box, which lead Si to post a glowing review online encouraging his followers to try them for themselves.
Alongside Si of The Hairy Biker’s fame, Mark also counts Masterchef winner and fellow Oldham lad Simon Wood and Great British Bake-Off champion Giuseppe Dell’Anno as fans of his biscuits.
As well as baking at home for markets and home delivery, he also stocks a number of venues in and around Greater Manchester including the newly-opened Prestwich Italian Nonna’s, and at other sites in Marsden, Slaithwaite and Royton.
He’s also in talks with a Manchester city centre venue about supplying his biscuits in town soon, too.
All his biscuits are made using authentic ingredients where possible, such as Amalfi limoncello imported from Rome, and are developed from recipes collected from different regions of Italy.
Inspired not just to create an authentic taste but also the entire experience he had when first sampling the biscuits, the business really is a labour of love – and it looks like he’s going places.
The very best ice cream places in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
We know it’s not often sunny out in these parts to enjoy the proper summery joy of lapping up lots of ice cream, but there are still bloody wonderful places to get it here in Greater Manchester – and we know some of the best.
It doesn’t matter if you prefer it chock-full of chocolate chips and coffee, mouth-frothingly fruity sweet, you’re in your pistachio phase or cannot get past the raspberry ripple, there are plenty of places to get whatever you’re after.
Be it Manchester city centre or beyond, we do ice cream pretty darn good for a place that basically rains for two-thirds of the year.
In no particular order, by the way, because we already hate playing favourites and all those serve our infinitely sweet tooth are created equal.
The best ice cream shops and parlours in and around Manchester
1. Grandpa Greene’s – Oldham
First up, there are few other fitting enough places to start than the Diggle Lock’s legendary Grandpa Greene’s, which serves not just some of the best desserts we’ve EVER had but stunning, homemade ice-cream that we here at The Manc have even helped make in the past.
In fact, this place has been such a hit in the area that they’ve gone on to open their own bistro and, unsurprisingly, it’s proved just as impressive and popular.
2. Milk Maids – Bolton
From Oldham over to the borough of Bolton and native favourite, Milk Maids, whose award-winning dairy farming expertise has seen them garner an iconic status among locals, and it’s no wonder.
We’ve been on to this place in Over Hulton for ages, but now they’re approaching a decade of serving their oh-so-sweet scoops, we can’t pretend to take even the remotest bit of credit. Their reputation precedes them and is about as long-standing as their lines.
3. Ginger’s – Northern Quarter
Number three is a go-to ice cream place for anyone in Manchester city centre: Ginger’s over in Afflecks Palace. Well, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, to give them their full title, and we can only concur that it does provide us with immense comfort whenever we call upon it.
Made in small batches using award-winning, home-churned dairy ice cream just like Milk Maids, these guys have actually been here even longer, serving the massive multi-floored shopping complex and indie paradise since 2010. There are new flavours and specials on all the time, each as delicious as the last.
In at number four is arguably the ice cream and dessert parlour with the very best name in Manchester, and that’s Big Licks, which recently relocated from Liverpool Road over in Castlefield to Printworks.
Now positioned in a much more central location, it’s no surprise that the spot has seen an increase in queues of late. You’ll find pretty much every combo you could ask for here; they also do some pretty banging burgers if you fancy eating both tea and afters here.
As a native Stopfordian myself, my grandma only ever called dessert a ‘sweet’ or ‘pudding’, regardless of what it was, but regardless of what you call it around your way/in your family, we have a Stopfordian ice cream spot that you need to visit.
Macari’s Gelateria opened up over in Heaton Moor back in 2023, and it’s quickly grown a passionate cult following – ourselves included. From their punchy and/or fruity flavours, to the super soft texture that their perfectly flaky wafers just about hold up to, it’s pretty perfect. Remember the name.
Credit: The Manc Group
6. Lazy Sundae – Manchester Arndale
We’re past the halfway mark now, and if you’re not already feeling a bit sluggish after this sugary feast for your eyes, you almost certainly will after looking at the super indulgent Lazy Sundae, who do everything from bubble tea and creative Korean desserts, to standard ice cream cones.
But make no mistake, there’s nothing plain or basic about this place: it’s remained one of the best places for ice cream in Manchester, and while we may have said goodbye to their OG spot in NQ back in January 2025, the Arndale parlour now serves as the perfect flagship location.
Sticking with the city centre and whipping our way back to NQ (pun very much intended), we’ve got the brilliant Black Milk up next, who we confess most regularly visit for a proper good milkshake, but they do shine when it comes to pretty anything sugary, to be honest.
Ice cream-wise, you can’t go wrong with their cookies and cream sundae, and their special St. Patrick’s Guinness gelato is still one of the most unique desserts we’ve ever had. Speaking of gelato…
Heading out to Trafford now and the ever-growing foodie scene in Sale, their increasingly well-known Gelato Creamery® store has been making waves for some time now, and by waves, we mean perfectly swirled scoops of ice cream’s somewhat healthier but still just as tasty Italian cousin.
They have a more central pod at Jacuna Kitchen over in Ardwick on the outskirts of the city centre, but really do recommend visiting their shop on School Road for a lesson on what proper good gelato should taste like.
The penultimate blood sugar pincher is the famous Get Baked, who barely even turned the key to unlock the doors before they had a crowd waiting outside the shop window of their first Manchester location.
Whether you’re three for big cookies, the famous Matilda-inspired ‘Bertha’ cake’ or their free-flowing soft-serve that is easier to drink than water – we know we have a problem, we’re working on it – you won’t be disappointed by no matter how long you wait.
Credit: The Manc
10. Baby Mayhem – Ancoats
Last but certainly not least of the latest newcomers to the Manc dessert scene and while it may not be strictly just an ice cream parlour, it is one of the best places for anyone who is powerless to resist their cravings for things fresh, cold, filled, fried and covered in sugar.
Baby Mayhem is where ice cream and doughnuts collide in one superior pudding. How does a ‘donut ice cream sandwich’ sound? Incredible? We thought so. It’s popped in the old Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria site and is already following in its footsteps of filling locals’ bellies to the max.
That should just about do you for now, and if this list wasn’t sickly enough, don’t you worry…
You best believe we’ll be going around all around Greater Manchester in search of more ice cream and the best places that do it whenever the sun is out.
So, just keep your eyes peeled for when we inevitably update this one, because there’s always room for one more scoop.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 21 – 27 July 2025
Emily Sergeant
Schools are out, summer is here, and Manchester looks stunning in the sunshine.
The dust may finally be settling following Oasis’ nostalgia-filled run of gigs at Heaton Park, but that doesn’t mean the summer fun is over with across Greater Manchester, in fact, it’s just getting started and there’s plenty happening this week – from festivals, and themed events, tp new foodie openings, family fun, and loads more.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
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Music for the Senses
Manchester City Centre
Monday 21 July – onwards
Music for the Senses / Credit: David Oates Photography
An all-new multi-sensory art exhibition has taken over the streets of the city centre this summer.
The new exhibition, which is titled Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city, is a collaboration between global art producer Wild in Art – the creators of the famous Bee in the City project – and Manchester City Council.
There’s everything from a pop-up bar in Piccadilly Gardens with surprise live acts doing sets, and markets in St Peter’s Square selling vinyl and vintage goods, to block parties in the Northern Quarter, and the already-announced Music for the Senses art trail dotted around all the well-known city centre sights.
The Science and Industry Museum has got a spectacular summer holiday programme packed with all sorts of things to be getting up to, making it one of the best places to escape the hustle and bustle with your little ones in the city centre this summer.
With events running up until 31 August, whether it’s disco dancing around a giant brain, unveiling the science behind optical illusions, or journeying through a giant ear canal, there’s something for everyone during the museum’s ‘sense-sational’ summer.
Loads To Do / Credit: Artem Kniaz | Yan Krukau (via Unsplash & Pexels)
Thousands of free activities have been planned by Manchester City Council ready for local families to take part in this summer.
A many parents, carers, and guardians will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained for six whole weeks before the new term starts, the Councilhas relaunched its popular Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) to help keep little Mancs active during the summer break.
From arts and crafts, to sporting events and plenty other physical activities, there is a whole host of entertaining things for everyone to get involved with, no matter your budget, making sure no one gets bored over the holidays.
A beach, splash park, fairground rides, and loads more family fun has returned to the Trafford Centre for the summer.
After proving to be massively-popular over the past couple of years, with thousands of families travelling from across Greater Manchester and beyond to bask in the sunshine and make the most of all the fun and games, the Trafford Centre has welcomed back its Summer Fair for 2025.
And this year, the beloved event has got itself a new family activity zone, and it sounds set to be bigger and better than ever.
The best bit? Tickets will only set you back just £3 each.
UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 / Credit: Molly Darlington / The FA (via England on Facebook) | Wikimedia Commons
England’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 matches are being shown on big screens for free in Manchester this summer.
As England women’s national football team look to retain their title and continue to build on their ever-growing success as one of the best national football teams in the world, Manchester’s National Football Museum is hosting a series of family-friendly watch parties after hours for the UEFA Women’s Euros this summer.
Not only are matches being shown in all their glory for free on a big screen, but there’s also an on-site bar, and even the option to pre-order pizza ahead of time to feast on while you’re watching the action.
Find out more about the viewing parties at the National Football Museum here.
Keen to catch the football somewhere else instead?
Manchester is a city synonymous with sport, and football is arguably what we’re best at, so of course there’s plenty of other places screening the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 this summer.
The SmileyWorld® Art Trail / Credit: Scott Kershaw Photography
Stockport has transformed into a playful outdoor gallery this summer as a colourful new art trail has taken over the town.
Visitors should get ready to explore a full spectrum of emotions this summer, as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail is making its North West debut and taking over the town centre with a colourful collection of quirky, fun, and exciting sculptures, each reimagined by a different artist to reflect the full range of human emotions including joy, pride, surprise, anxiety, and lots more.
The trail is created by trailblazing global arts producer, Wild in Art, in partnership with Totally Stockport BID and SmileyWorld.
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 / Credit: Jon Shard (via Kimpton Clocktower Hotel & British Culture Archive)
A new free photography exhibition showing never-before-seen pictures of Oasis fans from the 90s is still open in Manchester.
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel’s new free exhibition takes music fans on a trip down memory lane.
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 showcases a series of exclusive photographs by renowned photographer, Jon Shard, to the public for the first time ever, opening the door to a world before online sales, dynamic ticket pricing, and frantically refreshing a website to get the hottest ticket in town.
A free open-air cinema has arrived Manchester city centre for the summer.
With a backdrop of the modern Manchester skyline, Screen on The Square the go-to hangout for Mancs this summer, as audiences can recline in deck chairs surrounded by one of the city’s best views, and watch everything from classic and family films, to music, sporting events, and so much more.
It’s launched down at New Jackson – Renaker’s world-class skyscraper district and thriving new neighbourhood that’s taken shape at the southern side of Manchester city centre.
Adventure awaits, as premium outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx has now opened its first UK store outside of London right here in Manchester city centre, and it’s set up shop on the swanky New Cathedral Street.
Inside the brand new two-storey retail space, shoppers will find everything they need for their outdoor adventures – whether it’s hiking, climbing, or snow sports.
The new store is packed with technical, high-performance outerwear and equipment, from footwear, packs and accessories to Arc’teryx harnesses you can try out in-store.
NEW OPENING – Three Rooms by Platzki / Credit: The Manc Group
Three is definitely the magic number.
Platzki is already known and loved here in Manchester city centre, serving up some of the most authentic Polish cuisine from their little restaurant on Deansgate – but over Didsbury is their newest addition to the dining scene.
Three Rooms by Platzki is a real treat, bringing a modern twist on traditional Polish dishes to the suburbs, all with a splash of global flavour.
From their signature Platzki pancakes with whipped feta, to pulled duck pampushky buns, and punchy cocktails to match, this cosy three-floor spot is made for lingering.
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NEW OPENING – adidas Manchester
Market Street
NEW OPENING – adidas Manchester
adidas has made its big return to Manchester, and it’s back on Market Street where it belongs.
Spanning two floors, the new space delivers the best of both worlds, as downstairs is a full-on Oasis takeover with memorabilia, rare archive pieces, and custom shirt printing, but if you head upstairs, and it’s all about adidas Originals – terrace culture, football heritage, and iconic streetwear.
To mark the launch of their new flagship store, adidas has actually teamed up with Oasis for a one-off collab celebrating 30 years of iconic style, music, and legacy.
The limited-edition 26-piece drop brings together classic 90s silhouettes with a fresh twist including bucket hats, Firebird tracksuits, jerseys and more.
Stories – Brought To Life / Credit: The Manc Group
A major new National Portrait Gallery exhibition has arrived in Salford.
The ground-breaking new experience by FRAMELESS Creative has opened at MediaCity, bringing some of the world’s most famous portraits to life like never before.
Stories – Brought to Life will explore the fascinating lives of these figures, who have shaped the UK’s history and culture all the way since the Tudor period, and will combine the highest quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects, and the latest audio technology, along with specially created musical scores and creative narratives to shine a new light on each individual.
Visitors will be able to step inside iconic portraits including Grayson Perry, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen Elizabeth I, and William Shakespeare.
Kargo on the Docks / Credit: Supplied | Mark Waugh
Kargo on the Docks is back for the summer.
MediaCity’s al fresco dining pop-up has taken over the waterfront and gardens once again with a fresh wave of local food traders and stunning artwork by Salford-based creatives, all as the sun shines down on Salford Quays this summer.
A handful of Greater Manchester’s most popular independents have set themselves up Quayside inside those signature re-imagined shipping containers.
Foodies can expect a menu packed with bold new flavours including Caribbean, Lebanese, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Pan-Asian dishes.
Manchester Day 2025 / Credit: Manchester City Council
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this weekend, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
Aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’ Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Georgina Pellant -
24th October 2022 
