Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria quickly won the hearts (and stomachs) of Mancunians when it launched in the city last year.
Now, just a year into its journey and already many thousands of slabs later, owner Danny Keko is preparing to open a new sit down site for the eatery right in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Moving into the basement of garden-themed bar and kitchen Alvarium, formerly Cord Bar, Lazy Tony’s will be taking over the kitchen from the fine dining vegan concept Black Leaf serving up its popular lasagnas, giant mozzarella sticks and espresso martini tiramisu.
Whilst Lazy Tony’s has been hinting for the past few weeks about a new site, the location wasn’t confirmed until this weekend when Black Leaf and Alvarium both shared the news to their social media channels.
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
Speaking on Lazy Tony’s imminent arrival Lazy Tony’s, Alvarium said: “From Friday the 29th April, we will be welcoming Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria into our restaurant downstairs.
“Lazy Tony’s are hyped for this opportunity and we’re excited to bring them in and see where we can take the Alvarium brand alongside their partnership.
“Although we will be sad to part ways with Black Leaf, our space has always been one which allows small brands to grow into their own.
“Lazy Tony’s started in lockdown and immediately gained a great following. Each section of their menu has both veggie and vegan options and they, like ourselves and Black Leaf, are focused on becoming a concept that you know and love.
“We look forward to seeing what Black Leaf will become in the future, and what Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria have in store for us!”
Image: Alvarium MCR
Sharing the news of its departure, Black Leaf restaurant said this will not be the end of the road for the concept and that they’ve now got plans to find a new site of their own.
They wrote: “Having been hosted in the Alvarium kitchen for over a year now, we’ve loved our subterranean home. However, we believe that we are now ready to find a new site of our own.
“Although we will be sad to leave Alvarium, and what we have built together, we are going to take some time to fine tune our concept and hope to find a new space that works better for us.
Image: Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
“This is not the end for Black Leaf, although closing for now, we will be returning as soon as possible, and bigger and better than ever.
“We are so grateful for all of the support from you and have loved every moment of our time here at Alvariumm however we now believe our brand is strong enough to fly the nest and have a space of our own to grow Black Leaf further into everything we aspire to be.
“In the meantime, we are happy to be able to free up the space for a local, independent business who aren’t able to have their own site. This steppingstone has allowed us to grow and develop and we are excited to see who has this opportunity next.”
Whilst a date for Lazy Tony’s official opening at the site is still to be confirmed, Black Leaf has confirmed its last day at Alvarium will be 27 April. From now until then, the kitchen will be offering 25% off food Monday to Thursday for those fans who want to give it a proper send off.
Feature image – Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria
News
You can stay in an aircraft, helicopter or old school bus at this glamping pod near Manchester
Thomas Melia
There’s a glamping retreat near Manchester offering extraordinary stays in an aircraft, helicopter, old school bus and more.
Over in Blackpool at Manor House Glamping, there is a range of static vehicles that you can have an overnight stay or two in, and according to the pictures on its website, there’s even a resident emu.
You can stay in various modes of transport, such as an aircraft, an iconic yellow school bus, a campervan or a military green truck.
Each has its own perks ranging from a hot tub, outdoor bath, fire pit, sandpit and more. Whatever type of getaway or retreat you’re looking for, you’ll find everything you need right here.
The most eye-catching of the company’s stays is certainly the aircraft, which has kept its original cockpit features, although it’s safe to say the interior has definitely had a makeover.
There’s no such thing as a bad in-flight experience with this guest house, as you can get cocktails delivered to the cockpit after taking a dip in your own personal hot tub – not too shabby, eh?
With the bright and unmissable yellow school bus, there are plenty of decorations that help continue this theme in the form of various American road signs, one of which acts as your headboard for the night.
If you’re after a more toned-down chance to unwind, you can step into a pale-white camper van with cosy cushions and a snug haystack-turned-sofa adorned with some gorgeous blankets.
And if you’re looking at going all out, then your Manor House Glamping accommodation of choice has to be the chopper, which was once used by the Royal Navy.
Worried this option might be a tad nippy? Fear not, because this helicopter is fully kitted out to suit your glamping needs with two fluffy-lined cushions on each seat of this vintage heli.
Anyone who experiences cabin fever, fear not, because all the aircraft and vehicles are static and aren’t planning on making a long-haul journey anytime soon, you’ll still be able to keep your feet firmly on the ground.
Manor House Glamping has a variety of vehicle-themed guest houses, both old and new, for you to stay in overnight and if you’re interested or after any further information.
If you fancy staying within the boundaries of Greater Manchester but still fancy getting the feel for a cockpit, though, there’s a very fun day out over at Barton’s City Airport.
More than 100 ‘unsafe’ counterfeit Labubus seized in Oldham
Daisy Jackson
More than 100 counterfeit Labubus and accessories have been seized in Oldham, the council has announced.
The Labubu dolls – a plush collectible with giant smiles and bunny ears – have been seized because they are fake, and unsafe.
The haul of 104 Labubus has been given a street value of between £800 and £1000 – but if they were the real deal, they’d be worth more than three times as much.
The poorly-made figures were being sold for a fraction of the price of a real Labubu, which are manufactured by Chinese company Pop Mart (it’s set to open its second Manchester store in the Trafford Centre next week).
Oldham Council’s Trading Standards team said it seized the counterfeit Labubus from local businesses and found that they were unsafe and poorly made.
Officers raised concerns about the safety of the dolls, which had small parts such as eyes, hands and feet broke off easily, creating a choking hazard.
What a genuine Labubu should look like. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
They were also missing legally required safety marks such as the CE or UKCA labels, and lacked the name and address of a UK supplier, which is another legal requirement.
Councillor Elaine Taylor, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: “Oldham Trading Standards carries out regular checks to help keep unsafe products off the shelves. In this case, these counterfeit toys failed safety standards and have now been removed from sale.
“We know it can be tempting to buy toys that look like a bargain, but parents need to be extra careful. Fake toys like these may be cheaper, but they can put children in real danger if they’re not made to strict safety standards.
“If anyone has concerns about toys they’ve purchased, or if they see unsafe products on sale locally, we’d encourage them to get in touch with Trading Standards through the Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.”
Georgina Pellant -
19th April 2022 
