Greater Manchester takeaway Burgerism has made it into the finals of Uber Eats’ Restaurant of The Year category, and the team has gone all out – taking out a 70ft high billboardin Manchester City Centre in its bid to win the crown.
One of just two Greater Manchester eateries to make it into the final UK shortlist, the smash-hit burger favourite joked it had spent ‘not just the marketing budget but every other budget too’ on the ginormous advert.
As it vies for the public’s vote, the team is really giving it its all – and with a £100k prize up for grabs, it’s not hard to understand way.
Reading “Make your local. burger spot the UK’s Restaurant of the Year” in 14 foot high letters, the billboard is certainly not hard to miss – situated on the corner of Picadilly Gardens where Newton Street meets the main thoroughfare up to the station.
Image: Burgerism
Image: Burgerism
The cult favourite burger slingers told The Manc they would use the £100k prize to open another site – although anymore details are being kept firmly under wraps for now.the
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They also said they plan to host a ‘massive Burgerism block party for their team and fans’ if they win.
Mark Murphy, CEO and Founder of Burgerism, added: “Class to be nominated for Restaurant of the Year – the whole team is buzzing. And we’d really love to win it for our team, our fans and for Greater Manchester more generally!
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“Be nice to have a Salford restaurant take the crown. But if we do win it, we’re gonna host a Burgerism Block Party – still not sure what that looks like, but we’re getting tons of great ideas on Instagram from our followers! Maybe someone could even help sponsor it!”
First founded in 2018, Burgerism has been quietly setting the standard for dark kitchens way before the pandemic made them so popular.
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For years, it has been delivery only – drawing regular queues outside its Salford site and churning out thousands of its popular smashed patty burgers a day.
It’s recently opened a second site in Manchester city centre, moving into Escape To Freight Island as a pop-up trader in one of the food hall’s kitchens, and it looks like there could apparently be a third site on the way if Manchester helps them to win the public vote this summer.
The other local restaurant in the running for the award is I Knead Pizza, a hugely popular Neapolitan-style pizzeria with sites in both Manchester and Reddish.
To vote for your favourite and help a Greater Manchester business win the £100k prize, click here to head over to the Uber Eats website here.
Feature image – Burgerism
News
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
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Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Georgina Pellant -
27th May 2022 
