Bez is hosting a bottomless bingo brunch in Manchester – try saying that ten times fast after a few bevs, we dare you.
Yes, that’s right, the maraca-shaking Happy Mondays hype man is hosting a boozy bingo extravaganza at former railway station-turned-food hall Escape To Freight Island, and it sounds like it will be one hell of a party.
Hosted by the wild man of pop, the man who once shook the maraca so hard whilst ‘tripping [his] nut off’ that he left a wound on his hand, we think it’s fair to say that this event is already teed up to trump most bottomless brunches in the city – and that’s before we even get into the food, the drinks, and of course, the bingo.
Image: Escape To Freight Island
Joined by a host of comedians, dancers, singers and DJs, Manchester’s best-loved party hero will lead the day’s festivities, kicking things off from 11am and running through until 2pm that afternoon.
Tickets are priced at £45 per head and include an hour of bottomless drinks alongside a street food dish of your choice from any of Escape’s traders.
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Taking place on Saturday, 7 May, you’ll be able to get stuck into some of the food hall’s brand new offerings including new arrivals Gooey, Batard, Carnival and Lucky Foot – all of whom are set to be moved in by the beginning of May.
Think chargrilled meats from Hawksmoor co-founder, chef and food critic Richard Turner, fried chicken from the team behind popular Liverpool concepts Madre and Belzan, plus sweet pies with icecream and hot cookie dough from the likes of Manchester bakers Batard and Gooey.
Elsewhere, you’ll find kebabs and salt and pepper smiley faces from Michelin star chef Brad Carter at the One Star Doner Bar, healthy Vietnamese dishes from Mi and Pho, 22″ New York pizzas from Voodoo Rays, tacos from Madre and classic Italian dishes from Belzan.
As for drinks, you’ll be treated to endless glasses of ‘Bez’s Boozy Vimto Punch’ with multiple alcohols, Vimto syrup, juice and citrus (we think the ‘multiple alcohols’ says it all here).
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Image: Escape To Freight Island
Image: Escape To Freight Island
As for drinks, whilst the full list of bevs included in the bottomless offer has not yet been released, there’s sure to be a wide ranging choice given that Escape To Freight Island boasts a number of different bars selling everything from cocktails and fine wines to craft beers, classic lagers, ciders and softa.
Your ticket covers your entry, drinks and food, but you’ll also be asked to pay an extra £1 stake on arrival if you want to take part in the bingo game.
To find out more and purchase tickets for the bottomless bingo brunch with Bez, visit Escape To Freight Island’s website here.
Feature image – Escape To Freight Island / Wikimedia Commons
News
Murder investigation launched after man stabbed to death in Levenshulme over weekend
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a young man in Levenshulme over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called to reports of a man who suffered ‘serious stab wounds’ on Chapel Street at around 7:06pm on Saturday evening (15 August), and once they arrived on the scene, the victim was pronounced dead despite the best efforts of emergency services.
The identity of the victim has not yet been announced, but it has been confirmed that he was a 24-year-old man.
Work is ongoing to locate the victim’s next of kin, and several scenes remain in place while the police investigation continues.
According to police, it is believed that this was an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider threat to the public.
While a 27-year-old man has already been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody, GMP have still issued a public appeal for information.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim in this tragic incident,” commented Detective Inspector Alex Wilkinson, from GMP’s Major Incident Team.
“Officers acted swiftly to arrest a man, who is in our custody for questioning.
“Our investigation is ongoing and we would like to hear from anyone who may have information that can assist us.”
Can you help? Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell and dashcam footage, can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.
“Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
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.
Georgina Pellant -
7th April 2022 
