Born out of chance and circumstance, over the past seven years Little Window Alty has become a staple for regulars at Altrincham’s Market House. That is, until Wednesday night when it announced it will be closing up shop for good.
Leaving fans of its inventive, ingredient-led salads, soups, large plates and snacks bereft, the team shared an emotive post to the Little Window Alty Instagram page saying that now felt like the right time to hang up their aprons.
Describing their time running Little Window as ‘an incredible journey in food’, they thanked their audience for the support and spoke about their pride in the food they have created whilst reflecting nostalgically at how, a little over seven years ago, Little Window was born.
Image: Little Window Alty
They wrote: “A little over 7 years ago the honestcrustsourdoughpizza team, still very much in its infancy, started using the vacant unit in the corner of @altymarket to mix and roll dough. Then came a little chalk menu with a couple salads and snacks. And so Little Window was born.
“That became the start of an incredible journey in food for us. We took on some great suppliers, some excellent people and bought some lovely cookbooks. Over the years we’ve built an audience that we’re really proud of.
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Read more:‘Crispy pig tails take nose-to-tail dining to the next level’: The Moorcock Inn, reviewed
Sharing images of different chefs who’ve worked for them over the years, the team sang the praises of those who’ve passed through the kitchen – tagging prestigious Manchester eateries and bars with whom they now work.
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The Creameries, The Moor Cock Inn, Sugo, Flawd, Pollen, The Pack Horse at Hayfield, Cinderwood Market Garden and Isca Wines all got an honourable mention.
The post continued: “@hammancheese will open her own space in Marple later this year. Lucky Marple.
“If you’ve eaten with us in the past few years and enjoyed what you’ve had it’s almost certainly down to Beth. She is the single most talented, intuitive and naturally gifted cook I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside.
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“I expect if you’ve read this far and not skipped to the end you’ll know what’s coming. This Friday will be the final day of Little Window.
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s joined us for food in that 7 years. A massive thank you to Jen and Nick @altymarket who’s encouragement, feedback and support have been so instrumental in our progress. Thanks to our amazing suppliers. And thanks and love to all our team, wherever they are now.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale cancel filming after news of cutbacks and reduced schedule
Danny Jones
Coronation Street and Emmerdale production crews are said to have cancelled at least one day of filming this week following news of more cutbacks and a reduced schedule of programming.
The beloved British soaps have been up against it for some time now, with viewing figures and costs struggling at both ends of the spectrum, and the latest development doesn’t spell great news for the cast and crew, not to mention audiences.
According to Digital Spy, regularly scheduled filming was due to take place in Manchester and Leeds on Tuesday, 5 February, with each show shooting roughly six to eight weeks in advance of storylines.
However, following reports of more hits to the industry and the latest steps ITV, specifically, which will see fewer episodes of both Corrie and Emmerdale air each week, film crews are said to have been stood down as they await further updates.
Part of the Coronation Street set over in Salford Quays. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Announcing steps at the start of February, ITV confirmed that Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to see their content cut by an hour a week between them from next year.
While Corrie currently broadcasts three hour-long episodes per week and Emmerdale four half-hour episodes plus one full-hour instalment, the new slate will see both soaps dial back to only air 30-minute episodes, with a so-called ‘soaps power hour’ every both shows at 8pm and 8:30pm.
Put in simplest terms, viewers will have half an hour less of their regular soaps to watch overall each week but with episodes airing at more regular intervals, which the network claims is “viewer-led” and will allow fans to enjoy the shows “in the most digestible way.”
Metro writer Duncan Lindsay has labelled the decision as a tough one to make but something that could ultimately “save” the two long-standing soap operas in the long run.
On the other hand, this obviously means a big chunk of work being lost for those working on sets across the board, with ITV having already taken steps to cut costs ever since the pandemic, and the UK’s viewing public has given mixed reactions, to say the least.
The hour of scripted content saved from the overdue cut to Corrie and Emmerdale should be pumped into a new continuing drama. It’s the only way to justify the loss to the industry.
With an increased focus on streaming and making both shows more accessible, episodes will continue to be released from 7am on ITVX before airing on live telly later that evening.
Responding to the changes, the performing arts union Equity admitted that the steps do cause “further cause for concern”, especially following the cancellation of other soaps like Doctors and Hollyoaks also having recently seen its schedule adjusted.
It remains unclear when the respective cast and crews will return to filming.
What do you make of the cutbacks: will you miss the sum total of 60 minutes being shaved off your Corrie and Emmerdale catch-ups, or do you think it’s a bittersweet step that could help freshen up the format and sustain it for years to come?
Already being described as “the ultimate African safari experience right here in the UK”, some of the lodges will be located at the side of a lake, while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat that are home to Northern giraffes.
Bookings officially went live last Wednesday (29 January), and demand was “nothing short of phenomenal”, with the website crashing for a brief period and more than 550 bookings made so far.
But merely moments after this, people began hitting out at the prices for overnight stays.
Those working on the “very special” project say a stay at The Reserve will help to fund Chester Zoo’s global conservation projects.
Chester Zoo has issued a statement after people slammed the ‘totally ridiculous’ prices for safari-style lodges / Credit: Supplied
In the off-season, prices for the lodges start from £375, while one-night stays in summer start from £672.50, and then in peak season, for the more luxurious lodges, prices can go all the way up to £2,486, but it’s worth nothing that this does include guided safari tours and going behind-the-scenes with the giraffes.
“As an international wildlife charity we wholly rely on public funding to carry out our species-saving work,” a Chester Zoo spokesperson said in defence of the pricing.
“The Reserve is the latest way that people may wish to help to directly fund our global conservation projects and make a difference to the future of some amazing, but sadly endangered, species.
“A stay at The Reserve includes so much more than a room for the night.
“Packages include elements such as a range of exclusive behind-the-scenes and animal experiences, breakfast, dinner and out-of-hours access to the zoo, as well as two-day passes and the chance to view wildlife straight from your lodge balcony.”
Find out more and book your stay in the new lodges on the Chester Zoo website here.
Georgina Pellant -
5th May 2022 
