As if ham and pineapple on pizza wasn’t controversial enough, a pizza joint in Manchester has just gone and made an even more outrageous version of the Hawaiian: using the ‘wartime delicacy’ Spam.
Combining tinned luncheon meat with smoked Lancashire cheese, two different types of Tabasco, and a special ginger and pineapple jam, it might sound unappealing but – having tried it – we can assure you it’s actually rather elegant (you know, for a Spam pizza).
Called the Honolulu Heatwave, it’s the latest special to go on the menu at New York-style pizzeria Nell’s which has three sites in the city – one at Common in the Northern Quarter, the second at Kampus near the Gay Village and a third at The Beagle in Chorlton.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Described as ‘surfing in on a wave of canned sunshine’, the new pizza comes drizzled in a mix of Tabasco Sriracha and Tabasco Sweet and Spicy, with a handful of freshly cut spring onions on top so you can at least pretend there’s some sort of healthy glow-up going on.
Available at all Nell’s sites from Thursday 6 October for the next six weeks, it’s set to be the last special of the year and will cost just £13 for a whole pie.
To celebrate the pizza’s arrival, the team at Nell’s is planning a party at their Kampus NY Pizza & Bar this Thursday 6 October, where one lucky customer will win £100 to spend on pizza and margaritas.
All bookings made on the day will be entered into a prize draw, with the winner taking home a load of Tabasco merch and a Nell’s gift card loaded with £100.
The new pizza special replaces the McDoughNell’s, last month’s vegan homage to…well, you know who, and will stay on the menu until Sunday 20 November.
Nell’s will also be giving away mini Tabasco bottles with every special order of Honolulu Heatwave throughout the month at Kampus, Common, and The Beagle.
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Trafford Centre launches school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families
Emily Sergeant
A school uniform drive has been launched at the Trafford Centre to support local families ahead of the new school year.
With schools across Greater Manchester soon set to be out for the summer holidays, many parents, guardians, and carers in the region may be looking ahead to the new school year in September, concerned about how they may be able to provide their children with the necessary uniform items needed.
According to a 2020 survey by The Children’s Society, 23% of parents reported that the cost of school uniforms led to their children wearing ‘ill-fitting, unclean, or incorrect’ items.
It’s these statistic that highlight the ongoing pressure faced by families.
This is why the Trafford Centre has partnered with both Manchester South Central Foodbank and local charity, Bridging the Gap, to launch a school uniform donation drive aimed at supporting more than 700 children across Manchester this summer.
The Trafford Centre launches a school uniform drive to help disadvantaged Manchester families / Credit: Trafford Centre
From now up until the 15 August, anyone heading to the region’s largest shopping centre is encouraged to donate new or pre-loved school uniforms.
“The cost of living crisis has deeply impacted our community, with more and more families unable to afford the essentials,” commented Emily Jeremy, who is the Assistant Project Manager at Manchester South Central Foodbank.
“As an anti-poverty charity, we recognised the need for school uniform support years ago. Though costs vary between schools, a full set of branded secondary school uniform can total around £150, which is a significant burden for many households.”
All items can be donated at the shopping centre’s Guest Services point / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography | Trafford Centre (Supplied)
Simon Layton, Centre Director at the Trafford Centre, added: “We’re proud to be working alongside Bridging the Gap and Manchester South Central Foodbank to support local families during these challenging times.
“School uniforms shouldn’t be a barrier to education, and we hope this initiative will ease some of the pressure many parents face as the new school year approaches.”
The school uniform donation drive is running up until 15 August.
All items can be taken to the Trafford Centre’s Guest Services Lounge, which is located on Lower Regent Crescent next to M&S, and they must be clean and free from stains or damage.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2022 
