Whilst for some January means resolutions, diets, and a fresh opportunity to bring vision boards to life, for others it heralds the arrival ofnew dining deals, restaurant discounts and free food.
As often happens at the start of the year Manchester’s restaurants are dishing out discounts, with a range of set menus, 50% off and 2-4-1 deals all suddenly in abundance.
But one Northern Quarter spot is going even further, by handing out £2 pints, free chicken wings, and desserts to its customers in the know throughout January.
Known for its towering dirty burgers and fried chicken plates, served under tongue-in-cheek names like The Dirty Bird and The Massive C*ck, buttermilk fried chicken thighs are very much the order of the day at Yard and Coop.
The restaurant has been a staple on Edge Street for as long as we can remember, and now we have one more reason to visit: as it has just released its very own ‘Yard card’ for 2023, with special offers running every week.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
After kicking off the new year with £2 glasses of prosecco, this week Yard and Coop will be slashing the prices of its pints to £2 each for cardholders.
This month, staff will also be handing out free baskets of Yard and Coop’s signature wings – fried until golden in a secret house crumb, then smothered in homemade sauces like hot honey, Stateside BBQ, buffalo and ranch – as well as giving away some complimentary desserts this month.
Each week of January sees a different offer available at the fried chicken diner, with the £2 pints deal running from 9-14 January. After that, cardholders can enjoy free wings between 16-22 January, and free puddings from 21-31 January.
As well as the introduction of its new black Yard Card this month, Yard and Coop have also rolled out a small but mighty vegan menu for diners of the plant-powered persuasion.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Created in collaboration with the team at Temple of Seitan, it consists of three vegan burger meals and a plate of pickled ‘cheese’ fries topped with salty baconnaise, melted vegan cheese, pickles and crispy and chopped onions.
Burger choices include a fully vegan reimagining of its popular Dirty Birdie BBBQ burger, made with pulled seitan chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, melted vegan cheese, crispy onion rings, seitan fried chicken and jalapeno mayo, as well as the sriracha mayo-slathered Viet’Nom burger with sweet and spicy rice noodles and a crunchy Asian slaw.
Elsewhere, you’ll also find The Bechamelt – described as ‘all kinds of extra’ by the team. Think crispy seitan fried chicken with melted vegan cheese, lettuce and onion, slathered in baconnaise and drenched in Yard and Coop’s secret recipe bechamel cheese sauce, followed by a layer of sweet scotch bonnet chili jam and a crispy onion ring.
Available all month long, to find out more, view the full menu and get your Yard Card for those cheeky freebies and savings, head over to the Yard and Coop website here.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
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Firefighters to now wear cameras after Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations
Emily Sergeant
Firefighters in Greater Manchester are to now start using body-worn cameras following recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) has says the Inquiry ‘highlighted the importance’ of capturing clear information and recording decision-making during major incidents, particularly when multiple emergency services are required to respond to ‘complex and fast-moving’ situations, as was, of course, the case with the Manchester Arena attack back in 2017.
The introduction of body-worn cameras will support this by providing a real-time record of what crews see, hear, and communicate while attending incidents.
A total of 233 cameras will be rolled out across the service, giving firefighters the ability to record high-definition video and audio while attending incidents.
We’re rolling out body‑worn video cameras across our Service following Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations.
The technology will support operational learning, transparency and real‑time decision‑making – helping our firefighters and officers provide the best possible… pic.twitter.com/aoHezIXWEv
— Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) April 11, 2026
The devices can also livestream footage in real time, so that senior officers can view incidents as they unfold and provide additional support when it’s needed most.
Frontline officers who attend incidents will be the first to receive the cameras, followed by prevention and protection teams, and then the incident command academy as the rollout continues.
Following a successful pilot trial back in May 2025, when the cameras were tested in real incident conditions, the cameras will now be used at a wide range of incidents – from house fires and road traffic collisions, to larger and more complex emergencies.
Firefighters to now wear cameras after Manchester Arena Inquiry recommendations / Credit: GMFRS
Footage will help crews to review how incidents were handled, improve training, and strengthen safety for both firefighters and the public.
“Introducing body worn cameras is a significant step forward for our service,” commented Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Carlos Meakin. “It’s about giving firefighters the tools they need to work safely and effectively at complex or fast-moving incidents, while also helping to protect our crews by providing a clear record of the challenges they face on the frontline.
“The ability to livestream footage and review it afterwards will strengthen how we support crews on the ground, improve training, and enhance how we respond to major emergencies.
“This investment reflects our commitment to learning from the Manchester Arena Inquiry and continuing to strengthen how we respond to incidents across Greater Manchester.”
Featured Image – GMFRS
News
Endangered baby giant otter triplets have been born at Chester Zoo
Emily Sergeant
This calls for celebration, as Chester Zoo has welcomed baby giant otter triplets in what is huge news for the endangered species.
It’s been a really exciting start to 2026 at Chester Zoo, as it was only a couple of days ago we got to see Dotty the baby Kirk’s dik-dik – which is one of the smallest antelopes in the world – take her first steps, and now it’s time to say hello to three new arrivals in the form of giant otter pups.
The trio are the first of their kind to be born at the zoo in several years, and arrive as part of an international conservation effort to boost numbers.
Arriving to first-time parents Bonita and Manu, up until now, the three giant otter pups have remained tucked away in their cosy holt with mum feeding them regularly until they more than tripled in size – but now, they’ve officially entered into the big wide world.
Following their first health check-up with the zoo’s veterinary team, conservationists have revealed the sex of the pups to be two males and a female
Their names are yet to be chosen, so keep your eyes peeled.
Endangered baby giant otter triplets have been born at Chester Zoo / Credit: Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo has described this triple birth as a ‘rare boost’ for one of the world’s most endangered species, as there are thought to be fewer than 5,000 giant otters surviving in the wild right now.
Giant otters are the world’s largest species of otter, with a powerful build, sharp teeth, and a highly social nature. As one of the apex predators in the waterways where they live, they play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of freshwater ecosystems.
But sadly, experts say the species faces ‘an uncertain future’, with their decline largely driven by deforestation, water pollution, and illegal hunting, leading them to be listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning they face a very-high risk of extinction without urgent conservation action.
“The arrival of these three giant otter pups is a hugely special moment and marks the first time the species has been born here in seven years,” explained Rachael Boatwright, who is the Assistant Team Manager of carnivores at Chester Zoo.
“The pups recently had their very first health check-up at eight weeks old, where they were weighed and had their heart, teeth and overall condition assessed by the zoo’s vets. We’re delighted to confirm that all three are healthy and thriving – and that we have two males and one female pup.
“At eight weeks old, the pups will now start to venture outside alongside parents Bonita and Manu, who will start introducing them to the water and all of the essential skills they’ll need as they grow.”
Georgina Pellant -
10th January 2023 
