Altrincham’s vegan bahn mi sandwich bar is coming to KAMPUS for a pop-up, it has been revealed.
The team will be taking over the KAMPUS bungalow from the most recent residents, Tine, from Friday 8 October.
Serving up hot Vietnamese sandwiches filled with pickles, plant-based pate and Asian-style vegetables and proteins, they’ve been doing a roaring trade down in Alty for the past two years – and now they’re going to be popping up in the centre of Manchester at a new waterside venue.
The nasi goreng at Bahn Vi, which is moving into the KAMPUS bungalow from Friday 8 October / Image: Bahn Vi
It’s not all bahn mi on the menu, though, they also cook up some other Asian favourites like nasi gorgeng and Tom Yum noodle soup alongside tasty little plates of crispy fried oyster mushroom wings with pickled fennel and gochujang mayo.
As for drinks, there’s a choice of hot or cold Vietnamese coffee, plus a range of fragrant teas and Asian beers.
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They’ll also be running Pho and summer roll cooking masterclasses out of the space, giving diners a chance to try their hand at mastering some classic dishes themselves.
Co-founded by Harry Yarwood and Jess King, Banh Vi was born from a love of travel and Asian cuisine after the couple packed in work for a one-way-ticket to experience the best culinary experiences Asia had to offer a few years ago.
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The Bahn Vi team at their stall at Altrincham Market (From L to R: Loui, Thao, Cam, Meesh, Harry) / Image: Bahn Vi
Speaking on the upcoming move, Bánh Vì co-founder Harry Yarwood, said: “Hot, sweet, salty, sour, bitter – we’ve always strived for the perfect flavour balance in our creations.
“Since we started, we’ve won over so many regulars who now come back week after week for our take on Vietnamese and Malaysian food.
“Our ethos has always been about using the best ingredients, supporting local suppliers and just delivering amazing, creative menus that people fall in love with, whether they’re used to eating plant-based food or not.
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Soup and a sandwich, but not as you know it / Image: Bahn Vi
“The vibe of the community at Kampus is absolutely perfect for us and we can’t wait to be filling the Bungalow with people who may be experiencing our signature Banh Mi sandwiches for the first time.”
Considering that Altrincham was just awarded the best foodie suburb in Manchester at the 2021 MFDF awards, the arrival is perfect timing – giving city centre residents a chance to sample one of the area’s more popular food traders without having to leave town.
Bánh Vì will open Thursday to Saturday from 12 pm – 11 pm, with food served until 9pm, and Sundays from 2 pm – 7 pm. Kicking off on Friday 8 October 2021, the residency will run through to the end of November.
Diners are advised to book ahead by contacting 07549133392 as there is limited space for walk-ins.
Neighbourhood Weekender reveals second wave of HUGE acts for summer lineup
Thomas Melia
Neighbourhood Weekender has just dropped another list of names for its 2025 lineup.
The Warrington-based festival is always stacked with mega acts, with this summer’s lineup being absolutely no different, and a whole new bunch of famous faces have just been announced this week too.
This new batch of bands and artists sees the addition of some rising stars, as well as some much-loved favourites.
First up on the impressive roster is Dylan John Thomas, who may be known for his rockstar tunes, but he also loves to break it up with a performance of ABBA classic ‘Mamma Mia’ from time to time.
Villanelle are also ready to raise the roof, and if that name sounds familiar to you, then that’s because the band is fronted by none other than Liam Gallagher’s son, Gene, while another big highlight on the lineup just announced is The Slow Readers Club.
Neighbourhood Weekender reveals second wave of HUGE acts for summer lineup / Credit: Supplied
This list doesn’t end there either, as busker-turned-overnight-star Alex Spencer is on the bill and is already proclaimed as one of the UK’s most promising songwriters.
Previously, this popular indie rock festival – which is taking place this May bank holiday weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May – had already announced huge names like James, Stereophonics, The Wombats, and The Reytons as some of the acts performing across this two-day event.
If this second wave of names didn’t convince you enough to get a ticket already though, worry not, as more names are soon to be revealed.
Manchester to get ANOTHER new city centre park as plans get green light
Emily Sergeant
You wait 100 years for a new city centre park, and then two come along one after the other.
That’s right, merely a few years after Mayfield Park finally opened to the Manchester public after more than a century without one, it’s now been revealed that another park is planned for the city centre, as the Government has given the green light to a major new ‘digital campus’ bringing 7,000 civil service jobs to the region.
The new state-of-the-art hub, which will be known as Manchester Digital Campus, will be constructed on the site of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, alongside the new park.
As mentioned, the campus will bring together a number of Civil Service departments, all with a focus around digital skills, and the Government claims it will create ‘significant employment opportunities’ and ‘economic benefits’ in the region.
Ultimately, Government ministers say these ambitious plans are set to boost Manchester’s digital and tech sector.
Our proposed plans for the Manchester Digital Campus have received the green light!
The state-of-the-art campus in Ancoats will bring together a number of Civil Service departments with a focus around digital skills.
— Government Property Agency (the GPA) (@UKGovPropAgency) February 20, 2025
Alongside the new campus, however, is the perhaps even-more-exciting addition of a new urban park, which is aiming to improve access to quality green space for city centre residents and visitors, while also creating a connection to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and through to Ancoats and New Islington.
The park space has been designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE following public consultation.
According to Manchester City Council, a central lawn and plaza will create a ‘green buffer’ to Great Ancoats Street, with various tiered gardens navigating the different level changes across the site, alongside play areas, paths, and tranquil areas to escape the noise of the city.
The park has also been designed to make sure that it’s fully accessible for all.
A new digital campus by @UKGovPropAgency bringing 7,000 quality jobs to Manchester has been approved.
The campus will transform a derelict former retail site alongside a new city centre park in Ancoats.
The site will accommodate new walking and cycling routes, helping to link to other city centre active travel investment in Ancoats, Northern Quarter, and out towards the Etihad Campus.
“The new park is a welcome addition to our city centre green spaces,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“It’s a reimagining of the former retail site that has for many years acted only as a barrier to the community behind – and an eyesore in one of the most exciting parts of our city.”
Georgina Pellant -
29th September 2021 
