Manchester dirty burger bar Almost Famous announced earlier this week that it will be closing its original Northern Quarter site for good at the end of the week.
Not one to do things by halves, the team has revealed that as part of its last service it will say goodbye to the place where it all began with a bang – giving away black cards, free food and some ‘legit Banky art’ as part of a final hurrah.
This Saturday from midday, the first two people through the door will win a blackcard giving them unlimited free burgers for a year from any Almost Famous site.
And that’s not all. The first twenty people to visit them in the Northern Quarter this Saturday will also get their meals for free, with the team throwing things back to its original 2012 no-bookings policy for the first two hours of service.
Image: Almost Famous
What’s more, Almost Famous will also be giving diners the chance to win a legit piece of Banksy art as part of a treasure hunt.
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A piece of Almost Famous NQ history, they’ll be giving away an original Banksy print as part of a treasure hunt, with the first clue revealed to diners with their bill.
The person to master the puzzle will then be rewarded with an original Banky piece “worth a bare stack of cash” as well as two blackcards.
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The site will close following a final service on Saturday 23 July, before moving to a new as yet to be disclosed location.
When it first opened in the Northern Quarter 2012, the then ‘secret’ burger bar offered something distinctly different to diners – an intentional lack of signage, no reservations, and ‘off menu’-only vegetarian items leading only the most committed of burger enthusiasts to venture up those dark stairwells in search of the best buns in town.
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Mac and cheese balls, Molotov cocktails, ‘bacon bacon’ and ‘winning’ fries, not to mention those famous loaded burgers drenched in a variety of house-made sauces, all set the tone for a dirty food obsession that would prevail for years to come.
Whilst trends have moved on, Almost Famous is still a stalwart on the Manchester burger scene.
In the past ten years, it has survived a fire at its original site, opened a second venue at the Great Northern Warehouse and expanded its meaty, cheesy goodness into other cities like Leeds and Liverpool.
Information on where the site will be moving to is yet to be confirmed, but there has been some speculation that it may cross over to Edge Street into the former Home Sweet Home unit, which is also owned by Beautiful Drinks and has just announced plans to close there.
Feature image – Google maps
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Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.
The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.
Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.
His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.
Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.
“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.
“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.
“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.
“You will never be forgotten, Luke.
“We love you and miss you so much.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Government issues UK-wide temporary ban on sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk
Emily Sergeant
A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued nationwide.
Following the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel ‘sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a ‘tinderbox’ and urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product – including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market – and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st July 2022 
