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
Hundreds of staff to strike at four Greater Manchester hospitals next week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week.
More than 350 Northern Care Alliance Foundation Trust (NCA) employees – including nurses, clinical support workers and housekeepers – are walking out for three days next week after union UNISON says an offer to ‘resolve’ a dispute was withdrawn before discussions could take place.
According to the union, the dispute centres on the NCA’s use of an outside agency called NHS Professionals (NHSP) to manage overtime.
When covering staff shortages, workers are entitled to time-and-a-half pay – however in some cases, staff earn less than they would on a normal shift, and some have even been missing out on more than £80 per shift, the union added.
Operating theatre staff were previously on picket lines in June, and although an option to resolve the row was initially tabled by NCA bosses, this has now fallen through.
Hundreds of staff at four of Greater Manchester’s hospitals are set to strike next week / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
This means that staff at Salford Royal Hospital, Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary, and Fairfield Hospital in Bury are walking out next week on Monday 24, Wednesday 26, and Friday 28 August.
In particular, staff from all four sites will also gather in Salford on Wednesday (26 August) for a ‘unified’ day of protest.
Understandably, some disruption is expected at each of the hospitals on strike days.
“Those at the top of NCA have shown a lack of leadership and made their disregard for their staff clear,” explained UNISON North West regional organiser, Kevin Dolan.
“A deal was put on the table but taken away before we had chance to talk it over. We are ready to continue negotiations, but it’s obvious NCA has no intention of resolving this.
“This isn’t complicated. Staff are simply asking for what their contract says they’re entitled to. Nothing more.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
News
Wetherspoons introduces new phone rule at all UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’
Emily Sergeant
JD Wetherspoon has announced a major new phone rule in all its sites across the UK after customers complain of being ‘driven nuts’.
The pub chain – which has nearly 800 branches across the UK – announced earlier this week that it has made the decision to ban people from playing music or videos out of their phones, and from taking calls on loudspeaker.
The ban, which has been introduced effective immediately, follows a rising number of complaints from customers about the noise – with owners saying sounds from smartphones and tablet computers had become an ‘increasing problem’ in recent years.
Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Tim Martin, says he wants Wetherspoon pubs to be ‘an oasis of tranquillity and contemplation’.
Wetherspoons has introduced a new phone rule at all its UK pubs after customers are ‘driven nuts’ / Credit: Allan Rohmer (via Unsplash)
A formal statement from the company announcing the ban reads: “Following complaints from customers, who are being driven nuts by other people’s videos and amplified phone conversations, Wetherspoon has asked customers to switch their phones to silent or to use earphones.”
Tim Martin added: “In order to avoid customers being driven chicken jalfrezi by a cacophony of sound, we are kindly asking phone users to pipe down.”
Wetherspoon’s ban follows a YouGov poll conducted last year questioning public opinion on a proposition made by the Liberal Democrats of introducing fines of up to £1,000 for ‘headphone dodgers’ who play music out loud on buses and trains.
62% of people, on average, said they would back this move if it was introduced.
The poll, which surveyed 6,815 British adults, found that almost three-quarters of those over 65 would support the fines, while those aged between 18 and 24 were split 47% to 43% in favour of it.
Early public reactions to Wetherspoon’s ban appears to be overwhelmingly positive.
Georgina Pellant -
24th September 2021 
