First came V-Rev, then Frost Burgers. What The Pitta, Purezza and Vegan Shack soon followed suit. Now, another fast food-style vegan spot, The Vurger Co, is tipped to be opening in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Already hugely popular in London and Brighton, The Vurger Co. is now set to try its luck up north as it expands into Manchester to open what will be the group’s fourth site – following openings in Shoreditch, Canary Wharf and Brighton.
Image: The Vurger Co
First founded as a market stall in North London back in 2016, the concept has come a long way from those early DIY pop-up days – and now even has its own range of vegan sauces and mayos for sale through Ocado, Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic and Selfridges.
Due to open this April, it will move into the Northern Quarter’s Transmission House development on Tib Street as it launches its largest and ‘most ambitious’ restaurant to date.
Menu-wise, think indulgent burgers like their classic New York Melt, Buffalo Vurger (crispy ‘chicken’ patty dipped in buffalo hot sauce) and Hunny Chicken (house-made vegan honey, drizzled over The Vurger Co’s chicken patty, with honey mustard aioli, gherkins, and fresh brioche).
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Image: The Vurger Co
Image: The Vurger Co
Image: The Vurger Co
Elsewhere, you’ll find vegan mac ‘n cheese, crispy dippers, tater tots, fauxerella sticks and a decent vegan shake menu with flavours like strawberry, salted caramel popcorn, banoffee and Biscoff.
Known for its 100% plant-based burgers, which successfully mimick mainstream favourites with the help of some rather good vegan cheese and homemade sauce, unlike some of its competitors The Vurger Co. only cooks with products that have been completely ethically sourced.
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So strong is its commitment to the vegan ethos, all its packaging is also made from plants and is fully compostable, with a customer guarantee that nothing you buy here ends up being dumped in a landfill.
Image: The Vurger Co
With room for 50 covers inside, the new vegan restaurant will open seven days a week with walk-in bookings only from 30 April 2022.
Speaking on the new opening, Rachel Hugh, Co-Founder of The Vurger Co. explained: “This is a really exciting time for us at The Vurger Co.
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“We’ve worked hard to establish ourselves in London & Brighton and can’t wait to be part of the thriving restaurant & food scene in Manchester, one of our favourite cities. Customers can expect amazing plant-based food, packed with texture & flavour that’s fun & delicious.”
Rich Oliver, Senior Asset Manager at Fabrix (the developer behind Transmission House), added: “The Vurger Co’s decision to sign at Transmission House adds a new destination to the vibrant food scene of the Northern Quarter, which has long been known as the home of music and fashion venues.
“The Vurger Co. joins renowned piano manufacturer Bechstein at Transmission House, making it a new hub for tradition and innovation in the heart of the district.”
The new location will open at Unit 2, Transmission House, 11 Tib Street, Manchester. M4 1AE.To keep up to date with the launch, follow @thevurgerco on Instagram.
Feature image – The Vurger Co
News
Childish Gambino confirms shock stroke that caused him to cancel his world tour
Danny Jones
Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, has revealed that a stroke caused the cancellation of his Manchester gig and the rest of the shows on his world tour last year.
The multi-talented artist, actor, comedian, writer, filmmaker and jack-of-all-trades, who goes by the Gambino moniker in the music world, was scheduled to play a UK leg as part of his globetrotting series of live dates in 2024.
However, just over a month into the run, which kicked off in August, the 42-year-old musician didn’t just postpone the tour but had to cancel it altogether for the foreseeable future after falling ill on stage.
It has now been confirmed that the reason for this was a stroke, and also a serious problem with his heart, which required surgery.
At the time, he could only confirm an unknown ‘ailment’.
Detailing the incident to a crowd while playing at fellow rapper Tyler, the Creator‘s Camp Flog Gnaw festival this past weekend, ‘Gambino’ delivered the shocking news in a very matter-of-fact manner.
Confirming the stroke and a hole in his heart live to the LA audience on Saturday, 22 November, Glover began by stating that he was having a really good time on the tour, before adding: “I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana, and I did the show anyway.”
“I couldn’t really see well”, he continued, “so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.'” Yep, as simple as that.
He even went on to joke that he was copying fellow actor and singer Jamie Foxx, who also suffered a stroke back in 2023, which presented as a bad headache – one of several sudden signs of a hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke.
You can see the clip down below.
Childish Gambino reveals that he had a stroke and a hole was found in his heart and is why he had to stop his tour pic.twitter.com/YxeQYBWDBA
After visiting the hospital, it was then discovered that he had a hole in his heart, sometimes referred to as a septal defect.
The Stone Mountain-raised musician ended up needing two procedures to fix the problem and is now, thankfully, in good health and able to perform live once again.
Nevertheless, he’s not taking anything for granted after the severe health scare, telling fans on the night: “They say everybody has two lives and the second life starts when you realise you have one; you got one life, guys, and I gotta be honest, the life I’ve lived with you guys has been such a blessing,” he told fans.
His Manchester show at the AO Arena is still yet to be rescheduled, as are any of his UK dates, but we’re glad he’s not only back on the mend but back doing what he does best.
Featured Images — Amazon Music (screenshot via YouTube)/Press shot (supplied)
News
You can get FREE food and more at Tesco Christmas Markets across Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
Tesco Christmas Markets are back and heading to even more Greater Manchester locations where you can try lots of festive items all for FREE.
If you missed it last year, then don’t worry, as Tesco has brought back its much-loved Christmas Markets and the stalls are visiting more locations across the UK than ever before.
We’ve got you covered with all the dates and locations these freebie-filled Christmas Markets are visiting to make sure you don’t catch a case of festive FOMO.
Tesco Christmas Markets will be filled with all your favourite brands you usually fill up your trolley with from the likes of Costa, McCain, Celebrations and more.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a Tesco-led celebration without its own Finest range making an appearance across select Greater Manchester locations.
Expect to sample Tesco Finest Scallop and King Prawn Toast, Tesco Finest Stratford Blue with Fig Conserve and sweet treat staple, Tesco Finest Brandy Butter Mince Pies.
The best-loved brands mentioned before will be offering samples like smooth and creamy cups of Chocomel, or caramel-infused Nutcracker Spectacular drinks thanks to coffee shop chain Costa too.
In terms of food, McCain are letting you crunch down on its latest crisp range Vibes, Celebrations is treating you to its chocolate collection and biscuit varities from Bahlsen.
Tesco Christmas Markets are visiting major Greater Manchester locations giving out lots of FREE food / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
Feeling merry and bright? Alcoholic drink brands 1664 is bringing out its blue bottles, Three Barrels for its XO and VSOP brandies as well as the coffee-infused liquer Drambuie.
If you’re after something to warm up your winter’s day, Costa is also letting you try some of its Home-made Barista style coffees and coffee pod masterminds Tassimo are offering samples of its Cadbury, L’Or, Kenco ranges and more.
Finally, if that wasn’t enough for you, why not clear your palette with a Christmas creation courtesy of teapigs and its caffeine-free peppermint leaves, yum.
Here’s all the important dates and locations for Tesco Christmas Markets 2025 schedule for Greater Manchester and wider regions:
Fri 14 November – Glossop Superstore, SK13 8HB
Sat 15 November – Hattersley Extra in Hyde, SK14 3AU
Sun 16 November – Failsworth Extra in Manchester, M35 0EJ
Mon 17 November – Manchester Gorton Extra, M18 8LD
Tue 18 November – Stockport Extra, SK1 2BT
Wed 19 November – Burnage Superstore in Manchester, M19 1TF
Thu 20 November – Prestwich Superstore in Manchester, M25 3TG
Fri 21 November – Bolton Horwich Extra, BL6 6JS
Sun 23 November – Chorley Extra, PR7 1NW
Mon 24 November – Leyland Extra, PR25 2FN
Sun 30 November – Prescot Extra, L34 5NQ
Mon 1 December – St Helens Extra, WA9 3AL
Tue 2 December – Widnes Extra, WA8 7YT
Wed 3 December – Warrington Extra, WA2 7NE
Mon 8 December – Accrington Extra, BB5 1LN
Fri 12 December – Macclesfield Hibel Road Superstore, SK10 2AB
To view a full list of all the Tesco Christmas Markets locations across the UK and browse all the brands that are taking part you can find everything HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
5th April 2022 
