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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Manchester United legend Denis Law has died aged 84
Emily Sergeant
Manchester United legend Denis Law has sadly died aged 84, it has been announced.
The Aberdeen-born footballer was a prolific striker throughout his career, scoring 237 goals in 404 appearances for Manchester United – the club he signed for a then-British record transfer fee back 1962, before departing in 1973 – and also playing for Manchester City too for two separate spells during the 1960-61 and 1973-74 seasons.
Law was an integral part of United’s triumphant record-setting 1968 European Cup winning campaign, was the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or award, in 1964, and also the only man to have two statues dedicated to him at Old Trafford.
But, he previously announced in August 2021 that he had sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
The whole of Manchester, including everyone at City, is mourning with you. Rest in peace, Denis. Our thoughts are with Denis’ family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/YuwjMXKgxn
A formal statement confirming Law’s passing by his family was announced by Manchester United this evening: “It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently.
“The ultimate goal-scorer, his flair, spirit and love for the game made him the hero of a generation. Our deepest condolences go out to Denis’s family and many friends. His memory will live on forever more.”
Advice issued as ‘quademic’ of winter bugs continues to take hold in Greater Manchester
Daisy Jackson
People in Greater Manchester are being urged to get any vaccinations they are due done, as a ‘quademic’ of winter bugs runs rife.
Cases of flu, Covid, norovirus and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are continuing to take hold across the country, and here in Greater Manchester.
The city is seeing more flu cases and hospital admissions than usual for this time of year.
So now health chiefs are urgently reminding eligible people to get their flu jabs and other vaccinations, to protect themselves and others.
Mancs are also being reminded to follow key public health advice, such as frequent hand washing and staying at home when you’re ill.
The flu vaccination drive runs until the end of March and people who are eligible for it can get it from their GP, pharmacy or one of the city’s walk-in clinics, where no appointment is needed.
Dr Cordelle Ofori, Manchester’s Director of Public Health, said: “Our advice is very similar to recommendations made during the Covid pandemic.
“It’s really important to keep washing hands well and regularly; cough or sneeze into tissues or your arm; wipe down key communal surfaces like handles on doors; and where possible, stay at home if you are ill to avoid passing on any infections.
“And, in addition to this we would urge anyone who is also feeling financial or food pressures to ring our free cost of living advice line on 0800 023 2692 or text on 07860 022876.”
Councillor Thomas Robinson, Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Social Care, at Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester people are well-known for how they look after one another – and passing the flu message on could save lives, as well as unnecessary illness at a time when people face many pressures.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to have their vaccination, so please do go to our walk-in clinics if you are 18 and over and eligible for the vaccine. No appointment is needed: it’s quick, easy and done by teams who want to help you.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st July 2022 
