Pollen has revealed some huge news today that will have fans of the artisanal bakery very excited, we think it’s safe to say.
The trailblazing Mancunian bakery, first founded by partners Hannah Calvert and Chris Kelly from their kitchen in 2011, has revealed that it will be opening a second flagship site at KAMPUS next year.
The new home, which has been designed by local studio No Chintz, will house Pollen’s pastry kitchen behind a glazed gallery wall, giving customers the chance to see their patissiers at work throughout the day.
A glimpse of what the new space at KAMPUS will look like when it’s ready / Image: Pollen / No Chintz Studio
With room for 60 covers, the team says the extra space is “much needed” and will help them facilitate the launch of an expanded, produce-led, and seasonally focused brunch and lunch offering.
Sharing their exciting news in an Instagram post, the Pollen team said:
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“It’s all super exciting and we are over the moon to be joining such an incredible community down at KAMPUS.
Image: Pollen
“The space has been designed by the amazing team at @nochintzstudio and we just can’t wait to see it all come together.
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“All of this wouldn’t have been possible without Rochelle. her warmth, positivity, professionalism and championship of independents and her passion for KAMPUS were all second to none.
“We are honoured to have been able to work with her and know her. KAMPUS is her vision. her legacy and we will go forward to make her proud.”
Image: Pollen
Revealing plans to open in early 2022, they added that they will be launching a Kickstarter in the coming days to help them reach the last part of the budget for the build.
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Comments have flooded in online, with many people expressing their excitement for the new opening.
One said, “This is amazing, congrats” whilst another added: “VERY excited.”
A further person said “Phew Its your second location .thought you might be leaving Islington.”
And another said, “Rochelle a legend forever.”
Keep your eyes peeled on their social media for updates about the new site going forward.
Feature image – Pollen / No Chintz Studio
News
Prime Minister set to announce extra bank holiday if England win the 2026 World Cup
Danny Jones
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly set to announce an extra bank holiday if England win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What a way to sign off from the highest office in Great Britain, eh?
According to Sky News journalist Beth Rigby, the outgoing PM is expected to reveal an extended period of celebration across the country if/should/WHEN (you’ve got to believe) the Three Lions reach this year’s World Cup final and lift the biggest prize in global sport.
Starmer may be gearing up to leave No. 10 Downing Street soon, but he can certainly earn himself a few more points in the pros column should this familiar rumour come to fruition.
The PM is planning to announce a bank holiday if England win the World Cup. Final is the day before handover of power day on July 20. PM expected to confirm bank holiday if England reach the final, with the likely date set to be July 24. Dare to dream!
As Rigby states in her post on X, this decision would fall just before the transition in leadership, with Greater Manchester’s own Mayor Andy Burnham all but confirmed at the head of the table already within the Labour Party cabinet.
Regarding the still only potential bank holiday – Thomas Tuchel’s side still need to make it through the quarter-final and the semis, remember – the Sky reporter states that the following Friday, 24 July, is the most likely date.
Understandably, plenty on social media are already rejoicing over the prospect, but some aren’t content with waiting a week to carry on the post-trophy lift party, with many arguing that it should be the Monday morning immediately after the final next Sunday (19/2/2026).
Let’s be honest, there’ll be lots of people pulling sickies regardless of whether or not their bosses are left to grant a day off.
Many have already rightly argued that such decisions should have been made in the past after the Lionesses won not just one but two back-to-back European Championships; we’re willing to forgive and move on if the powers that be make it happen this time.
Starmer recently said that despite always believing England will “go all the way”, he didn’t want to jinx anything, simply telling the BBC’s Chris Mason: “Ask me again if we make the final.”
Either way, the general jubilation should England end 60 ‘years of hurt’ will be nothing short of colossal, and it would only feel right given the sheer gravity of the would-be achievement.
We’re even getting excited merely by the idea of some additional and, at present, strictly hypothetical pre- and post-match entertainment…
Radcliffe man, 76, jailed after sexually abusing young teenage girls more than 40 years ago
Emily Sergeant
A man who sexually abused two teenage girls more than 40 years ago has been put behind bars.
After two brave women came forward and disclosed to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) the abuse they endured more than four decades ago, Kenneth Goodman, of Greendale Drive in Radcliffe, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years, and three counts of gross indecency with a girl also under the age of 14.
Both victims knew Goodman in a ‘professional capacity’, police explained, and were in their early teenage years at the time of the abuse.
The first survivor approached GMP in 2018 to report the abuse Goodman subjected her to, and then this subsequent investigation then led officers to identifying a second survivor who confirmed she had been in a sexual relationship with Goodman as a teenager.
The first woman was subjected to abuse on numerous occasions when she was around Goodman – with him making inappropriate comments to her and coercing her into sexual activity when they were alone together.
The second woman was groomed over a period of around three years, with Goodman initially manipulating her at the age of 12 into being in a relationship with him and engaging in sexual activity.
Goodman told the victim that as she had turned 13, they could ‘go further with their intimacy’, before the abuse continued until around the time the victim was 15.
Following his arrest in 2019, Goodman denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty at a trial in March earlier this year.
He will serve six years in prison and has been placed on the sex offender’s register for life.
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Jonathan McGregor, from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “This has been an ongoing investigation and the victims have shown incredible strength and patience throughout the process.
“I would firstly like to express my gratitude to them, as their support during this investigation has led to the conviction and sentencing of Goodman.
“This was an awful case about abuse of power. Goodman took advantage of these women from such a young age, and they have carried this with them since.
“I hope this sentence can now provide them with a sense of comfort and reassurance that no matter how long it has been, we will always take reports of this nature seriously, and we will do everything we can to ensure perpetrators see justice.”
Georgina Pellant -
24th September 2021 
