After several years of redevelopment, bosses behind the newly-revived legendary 60s gig venue New Century Hall have finally pulled back the curtain on its first phase – a stunning new food hall.
Eventually, the Grade II-listed building will be fully restored, right down to its sprung dance floor, 1960s ‘disco ceiling’ and vintage wood-panelled walls. But these things take time, so whilst developers get the whole place gig ready they’ve decided to crack on with a new food offering for the city.
Here, on the ground floor, the newly opened food hall plays host to six new kitchens, including a new project from Adam Reid, the acclaimed chef behind The French at The Midland.
Reid is here debuting a new butty concept, inspired by childhood trips to his family’s local baker.
Inside New Century food hall in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupInside New Century food hall in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupInside New Century food hall in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Elsewhere, Altrincham Market House favourite Banh Vi has moved in offering its signature plant-based Vietnamese baguettes and nasi goreng, whilst Northern Quarter pizza staple PLY is venturing into the wilder side of things as part of a new collaboration with the planet-saving flour company Wildfarmed.
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Firing everything in a custom-built pizza oven at the helm of New Century’s ground floor, chef Carl Fraenki-Retti has developed his recipe using their biodynamic flour to create a 24-hour slow proved dough which forms the basis of a vibrant menu.
You’ll also find father-and-son duo BaoBros23, winners of the 2021 British Street Food Awards ‘People’s Choice’ winners, slinging out loaded buns, fries and desserts, fresh off the back of their latest pop-up success at Riverhead Brewery Tap in Marsden.
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Inside New Century food hall in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupInside New Century in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupInside New Century food hall in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupInside New Century food hall in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Wilmslow sushi favourites Zumuku Sushi have also moved in, serving its authentic, fresh sushi and other Japanese favourites to the food hall.
Chef Tom Lowe is another new arrival, drawing from the great steakhouses of the UK and Europe and his passion for well-bred, native beef at new opening Tallow.
Working with 28-day-aged beef from local butchers, diners can find a range of high-quality steaks, burgers and sides.
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There are also coffee and grab ‘n’ go concepts from New Century, plus local beers, wines, cocktails, teas, juices and smoothies.
The space itself has been designed by Sheila Bird Studio, with mid century decor inspired by the Grade II listed building’s original 60s features which have been restored and replicated.
The food hall will spill outside onto Sadler’s Yard for al fresco dining, drinking and regular events like the family friendly day on Saturday 24 September.
Atul Bansal, founder of Sheila Bird, said: “I stumbled across this building 10 years ago and had to get inside this space that had been locked away for so many years.
“I spent seven years trying to find people who would help me reignite the building’s soul, and now the building is alive and beating. Interior isn’t about designing something, it’s about giving something a purpose and I am so excited to have helped New Century to be reborn.”
Featured image: The Manc Group
News
Local Bolton schoolkids chosen to select street names in new neighbourhood
Danny Jones
Some local schoolkids from Bolton are among the lucky few to be chosen for a great honour: to be the people responsible for selecting the street names for a brand new neighbourhood.
That’s definitely something to tell their little ones and grandchildren someday.
For anyone from the Bolton area, you may have heard of the new development popping up over in Little Lever, a burgeoning suburban area not too far away from Moses Gate Country Park.
Carrying on the ‘Creams Mill’ moniker as a whole, a group of students from nearby Mytham Primary School have further been entrusted with naming the next leafy chapter of village life.
Credit: Watson (press shots)
Picking a handful of pupils from members of the school council, who have clearly already shown plenty of initiative and interest in extracurricular activities, property firm Watson Homes first visited the school back in 2023 to allow some young minds to take part in an exciting competition.
Known as ‘The Change Makers’ in Mytham Primary, not only did they find out more about the brownfield plot, but also more about the site’s surrounding history, including its rich industrial heritage, the significance of the canal corridor in the wider context of Greater Manchester and more.
Having then been inspired by everything from the waterways to the native wildlife, names were thrown into the mix; now, more than two years later, eight of those bright-eyed pupils and some of their teachers were invited back for a mini grand opening of their own.
Getting to see the road signs unveiled for the first time – Woodpecker Road, Deer Lane, Owl Lane, Dragonfly Court, Middle Bents Lane, and Bally Close – as well as putting the finishing touches on other things like hedgehog pathways and birdboxes. Cute.
They even got to name three apartment buildings within Creams Mill, which have now been dubbed Davenport House, Fletcher House, and Waterway House. Such a cool experience for these youngsters.
Honestly, how wholesome is this?
Credit: Supplied
The Manchester-based affordable housing firm’s director, Mike Watson, said in a statement: “It has been incredibly rewarding to see the pupils of Mytham Primary return to the site and see their ideas become part of the streets they helped to imagine.
“This project started with conversations in a classroom and is now taking shape on the ground – from the new homes rising across the site to the restoration of the canal.
“This is a development that genuinely reflects Little Lever’s heritage and future ambitions, and is a powerful example of how regeneration is rooted in community pride as well as bricks and mortar.”
We think we speak for everyone when we say this is the kind of work in the community that we’d like to see more of from the various developers across the region.
Murder investigation launched and man arrested after woman found dead in Bolton flat
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead at a flat in Bolton.
Yesterday (Monday 19 January 2026) at around 10am, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to a concern for welfare at an address on Kempston Gardens, in the Halliwell area of Bolton, and when officers arrived at the scene, they found a female who was ‘unresponsive’ inside the address.
CPR commenced, but despite the best efforts of all involved, paramedics pronounced the woman as dead shortly after.
A murder investigation has been subsequently launched, and a 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in custody for questioning at this time.
A police cordon remains in place while investigations are underway, and GMP is now appealing to the public for information.
“Our priority at this time is identifying the female and informing her family as soon as we are able to,” commented Detective Inspector Louise Kelly, of the Major Incident Team.
“Specialist officers will be available to support them throughout this investigation.
“A murder investigation has been launched and whilst we currently have a man in custody, there is a police cordon in place, and we are conducting enquires to establish the circumstances which have led to this tragic incident.
“We understand that an incident of this nature may cause concern within the community, however we believe there is no wider risk to the public.”
Georgina Pellant -
26th August 2022 
