Boozy independent ice cream slingers A Few Scoops have revealed exciting new plans to settle down in a permanent parlour in Sale next month, bringing their trademark treats to the Trafford town.
Epic cocktail-inspired sundaes, sorbets and milkshakes will be the order of the day when the artisans open inside Sale Foodhall next week on 3 February.
Flavours like espresso martini, pina colada, old fashioned and mojito, all lovingly made by the team, will be served in cones from the Antonelli Brothers in Eccles, or coupled with brownies, sugar waffles and cookies as part of more elaborate ice cream sundaes.
The new sundae menu has been put together especially for Sale, and the team are currently developing some new flavours too -including cocktail-inspired white Russian and cherry bourbon ice creams – ready to debut when they open the parlour next week.
These boozy ice creams will also be used to make indulgent shakes, or as 600ml tubs for ice cream lovers to enjoy at home.
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It’s not all booze and cream, though. Non-drinkers and vegans will have something to enjoy too, with a range of straight-up alcohol-free ice creams, sorbets and shakes also on offer.
They will join the likes of Basilico Pizza and What’s Your Beef as residents at Sale Foodhall on Stanley Square in the town centre.
Image: Sale Food Hall
Having already built a large and loyal following touring Greater Manchester (and beyond) with their cocktail-inspired puds, all served out of their beloved baby pink tuk tuk (Jolene) and vintage bike (Dolly), the move to Sale marks an exciting new chapter.
Open Sunday – Thursday 12pm – 9pm, and Friday and Saturday 12pm – 10pm, .to celebrate their arrival on 3 February A Few Scoops will be giving away a free scoop of ice cream in a cone between 5 and 7pm.
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They also plan to serve up ice cream for breakfast from 9am on Saturday 5 February to mark Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, which doesn’t sound like a real thing – but we’re absolutely here for it.
Speaking on the new opening, Alanna, founder of A Few Scoops, said: “We’re delighted to be joining the Foodhall family and to bring our scoops over to Sale.
Image: A Few Scoops
“Both Foodhalls and the General Stores have been so supportive of A Few Scoops since we launched in May last year and we can’t wait to call Sale Foodhall our home.”
Maisie Chow, a spokesperson for the Foodhalls, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome A Few Scoops to our Foodhall community.
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“We have been looking for the right person to complete our wonderful independent street food family over here in Sale and the innovative, local and independent spirit of what Alanna and her team do fit perfectly with us. Get ready for some seriously good ice cream Sale.’”
Feature image – A Few Scoops
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Opening date finally confirmed for new Uniqlo store at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Uniqlo is preparing to open its second store in Greater Manchester, and the official launch date has finally been confirmed.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but it was revealed earlier this year in April that Manchester was set to get a second helping.
Uniqlo announced that it would be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre this autumn, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store is set to make Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
When news broke that the hoardings had officially gone up inside the shopping centre, elated shoppers raced to the comments to say things like: “No way! I’ve been waiting years for this.”
Uniqlo is preparing to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: | The Manc Group
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like ‘finally’ and ‘can’t wait’.
And now, we officially have an opening date to share with you.
Uniqlo will open in the Trafford Centre for the first time on Thursday 15 October, with plenty of events happening across its extended opening weekend.
Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performances will be happening throughout the day on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 October, while the first 300 customers to spend over £69.90 in store on the Thursday (15 October) will get a special Uniqlo Manchester goody bag.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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‘Do not let Britain’s independent businesses disappear on your watch’ – Manchester bakery makes heartbreaking plea to Andy Burnham
Clementine Hall
A beloved Manchester bakery has issued an open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget begging him for help.
Barbakan Deli in Chorlton is basically an institution at this point.
The legendary bakery and delicatessen has been serving the community for 62 years, famed for its freshly-baked loaves of bread, its handmade sandwiches, and its pastries and cakes inspired by bakes from across Europe.
Posting on Instagram last night on Thursday 18 September, Frankie Dyer the director of Barbakan, issued an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Images: The Manc Group
It read: “Dear Mr Burnham, As an independent business owner in the hospitality sector, I am begging you to please read this.
“Really read it. And seriously consider what businesses like mine are telling you before the upcoming Budget.”
It continued: “In just the last two years, we have self-funded new bakery machinery, new catering kitchens, essential repairs and renovations and opened a second retail site, creating another six local jobs. We have won more than ten national awards for the quality of what we do.
“We have invested. We have grown. We have employed more people. We have worked harder than ever. In short, Prime Minister, we are doing everything you keep asking British businesses to do.
“And our bank balance is finished. That is the reality.”
The letter finished by Dyer inviting Andy Burnham to come visit the bakery and pleading for a ‘fighting chance’ to save the business: “We need action. We need meaningful reductions in the tax burden placed on employers.
“We need Employer National Insurance looked at urgently. We need a business-rates system which allows independent high-street businesses to survive. We need VAT reform for hospitality. We need Corporation Tax to reward businesses which reinvest, employ and grow.
“And we need proper grants and incentives that help established independent businesses invest and expand — not schemes with endless criteria which most ordinary businesses can never access. We need you to do something.
“And we need more than one token gesture in the Budget. A band-aid for a bullet wound. So I am asking you, Prime Minister, to come back to Manchester and see it for yourself. Pop an apron on and stand behind our counter.
Images: The Manc Group
“Come into our bakery in the middle of the night and meet the people making Manchester’s bread while most of the city is asleep. Look at our payroll, our energy bills, our rates, our supplier increases.
“Look at what leaves our bank account every single week simply for the privilege of keeping 50 people employed and our doors open. You said you wanted a government that understood the regions. You now have an opportunity to prove it.
“Independent businesses across this country are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a fighting chance. I sincerely hope your next Budget gives us one”.
Georgina Pellant -
27th January 2022 
