New ‘Anglo-Saxon’ pizzeria Dokes Pizza is opening in Prestwich from the team behind esteemed Ancoats restaurant Elnecot.
Called Dokes, the pizzeria has already made a name for itself in the city centre – serving its hearty, heritage grain pizzas out of one of the hatch kitchens at the new Manchester food and drink hall Society.
Now, it seems the concept will soon have a new home all of its own over in the trendy north Manchester suburb of Prestwich, as planning documents reveal Dokes pizza will be moving into the former Basil + Lily unit on Bury New Road.
Image: Dokes Pizzeria
Here, bosses have hinted that the menu will expand beyond pizzas to include lunch and brunch offerings too – leading to some speculation that popular dishes at Elnecot may make their way over to Prestwich.
Dokes pizzas use as many British ingredients as possible, right down to the flour, mozzarella and tomatoes (when they are in season), and there are plenty of strong options for veggies as well as meat eaters.
This isn’t just pizza. This is, arguably, post-Brexit pizza, made with as much English produce as its chefs can get their hands on. A clever way to get around those pesky supply issues.
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Image: Dokes Pizzeria
Image: Dokes Pizzeria
Image: Dokes Pizzeria
First opening inside Society last July, the concept is the brainchild of Micheal Clay and Wesley Downham. Building upon the relationships that they have built with suppliers over the years at Elnecot, the pair are using Dokes to showcase some top-notch British produce.
Maintaining a similar style and standard of ingredient sourcing to the Ancoats’ restaurant, you’ll find pizzas loaded with dreamy toppings like truffles from Wiltshire, air-dried duck breast from Trealy Farm in Wales, Cumbrian Curthwaite Goat’s Curd and British burrata.
Favourites include the alluringly-named ‘Sexy greens’ with charred broccoli, savoy, crispy chilli, confit garlic cream, caper vierge; Medieval literature-inspired ‘Beowulf’ with deli farm chorizo, nduja, British burrata, gremolata; and the ‘Cheese behemoth’ with Owd yonner, Chepyn blue, Grace’s goat, Scottish Connage, mozzarella fior di latte, British burrata and apple chutney.
The kitchen is also making its own globally-inspired dips, a crucial pizza addition that’s not to be sniffed at. Think tangy chepyn blue ranch, spicy Korean gochujang bbq, Wiltshire truffle and confit garlic and herb. Perfect for dunking your crust in.
Sure to be a great new addition to Prestwich, Dokes pizza is pegged for a spring opening in April this year. To keep up with further updates on the new site make sure to follow them on Instagram.
Manchester’s newest hotel launches massive recruitment drive with 100+ jobs available
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s newest hotels has launched a massive recruitment drive with more than 100 jobs available to locals.
The Medlock, Manchester’s bold new 401-bedroom hotel – which is born from a partnership between Manchester City Football Club and Radisson Hotel Group, and is set to open later this year in the autumn – is looking for new team members across a wide range of areas, including front of house, housekeeping, engineering, and reservations.
To welcome these new team members onboard, the hotel has now launched a massive recruitment drive with dozens of roles available to local people.
Individuals who bring ‘authenticity, pride, and personality’ to everything they do are encouraged to apply for the roles – which go live early next week (Monday 27 April).
Aimed at boosting employment within the local community, vacancies span front-of-house, housekeeping, engineering and reservations.
The recruitment drive – delivered in partnership with Total People – is being lead by Valor Hospitality, the hotel’s operator chosen for its global expertise and people-first approach to hospitality, and will be offering tailored training programmes that are designed to make careers in hospitality accessible to Manchester residents.
Vocational qualifications across a range of skills will help individuals build confidence and step into rewarding roles in the industry, and it also means prior experience is not entirely necessary.
More than 100 roles will be available to local people / Credit: Supplied
General Manager Richard Pearson says the recruitment drive is a ‘unique opportunity to be part of an exciting partnership’.
“This is a milestone we’ve been eagerly anticipating, building the team that will bring The Medlock to life,” he added. “We’re looking for people who carry the spirit of Manchester with them, people who are proud of where they’re from and passionate about creating something special together.”
As mentioned, all job adverts will go live next Monday (27 April) so hopefuls can get their applications submitted here.
This’ll then be followed by invite-only open days for shortlisted candidates in mid May.
Featured Image – Supplied
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UK passes bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking in ‘historic’ moment
Emily Sergeant
In what is described as being a ‘historic moment’, the UK has now passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from ever buying tobacco products.
It’s been a long time coming, but the final draft of the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill completed its journey through the Houses of Commons and Lords yesterday (21 April 2026), and is now on its way to receiving royal assent to officially become the law.
For those unfamiliar, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will stop people who were born on or after 1 January 2009 from ever taking up smoking.
It will also give Government ministers new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products – including their flavours and packaging, which make them more appealing to younger generations.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hailed the bill’s passing as a ‘historic moment for the nation’s health’ on the road to creating a smoke-free generation.
The UK has passed a bill to ban everyone born after 2008 from smoking / Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels)
“Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm,” Mr Streeting said after the bill was passed this week.
“Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain.”
The ban on purchasing tobacco products for those born after 2008 was first mooted by Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Government a number of years back, but was eventually shelved ahead of the 2024 General Election, and then revived again by Labour when they took power.
The bill’s passing parliament has been welcomed by charities and campaign groups – most notably Cancer Research UK.
“This is a historic achievement that will shield our children from the devastating grip of tobacco addiction and help to put an end to cancers caused by smoking,” concluded Michelle Mitchell, who is the Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Research.
Georgina Pellant -
18th February 2022 
