Moor Hall, the celebrated Lancashire restaurant with rooms and its very own lake, has just been named the Best Restaurant in England.
Less than an hour’s drive away from Manchester, the two Michelin star restaurant was opened by chef Mark Birchall in 2016 and is tasting menu only – offering a choice of four or eight courses.
Appearing in second place on this year’s list of the UK’s Top 100 Gastropubs, the restaurant described the accolade as an ‘incredible accomplishment’ when the news was announced on Tuesday morning.
Image: Moor Hall
Image: Moor Hall
Image: Moor Hall
Boasting a beautiful glass-fronted restaurant and a walk-in cheese room, where diners are encouraged to visit to make their selection, it also makes its own charcuterie and uses honey from its five beehives located within its verdant grounds.
Having spent the best part of the previous decade working at Simon Rogan’s two Michelin-starred restaurant L’Enclume, chef-patron Birchall set out to create ‘something special’ – and he’s certainly delivered.
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Set in five acres of ground and housed in a Grade II-listed building that dates back to the 13th century, Moor Hall is a perfect candidate for a weekend trip away – with seven characterful guest bedrooms upstairs for those looking to make a night of it.
Image: Moor Hall
Commenting on the win, the restaurant wrote on Instagram: “After holding the No:1 spot for two consecutive years we are delighted to be awarded ‘Best Restaurant in England’ as well as ranking second place in UK Top 100.
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“It’s such an incredible accomplishment for our team, and of course testament to our chef-patron, @markbirchall. Congratulations to everyone who made the list and thanks to @nationalrestaurantawards“
Moor Hall is not the only local restaurant to be recognised in the awards, with Stockport’s Where The Light Gets In taking home the 2022 Sustainability Award and L’Enclume chef Simon Rogan taking home Chef of the Year following his restaurant’s ascension to three-star status earlier this year.
Elsewhere, a number of eateries in Manchester and the surrounding area also feature in this year’s Top 100 list – including L’Enclume, The Parker’s Arms, Erst, Mana and Northcote.
To see the full list of restaurants named in this year’s awards, click here.
Feature image – Moor Hall restaurant
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Simon Rimmer shuts final Greater Manchester branch of beloved Greens restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Simon Rimmer’s much-loved Greens restaurant is no more, as the final branch announces its immediate closure.
The vegetarian restaurant launched in Didsbury way back in 1990, but confirmed its shock closure at the start of its year.
The newer Greens restaurant in Sale had remained open for business – until today.
In a statement share online, the restaurant said the business has become ‘untenable’.
The statement, which was shared with a simple broken heart emoji, added that the team have ‘done everything possible’ to stay afloat.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
Georgina Pellant -
14th June 2022 
