A new Thai restaurant with tuk-tuk seating booths has its sights set on a new Manchester opening, it has been revealed.
Zaap Thai, which already has a portfolio of popular Thai restaurants in the north of England, is eyeing up a new Manchester location on Lincoln Square.
It has submitted plans to open a new restaurant at the square, which can be found just off Deansgate. If successful, Zaap Thai will join the likes of Maray, Wings, Shirley’s cafe, and BOX sports bar.
The street food brand has already made its mark in the north with well-established sites in Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Headingley, and Sheffield.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
The Manchester site will mark the sixth site for the restaurant group, which serves an affordably-priced menu spanning over 80 different authentic Thai dishes that draw inspiration from Bangkok in particular.
ADVERTISEMENT
Street food favourites like Pad Thai can be found alongside summer specials such as authentic Northern Thai sausages, Thai red curry with duck, Tom Yum wonton soup, and Thai jasmine rice stir-fries, plus sweet treats like Thai-style coconut ice cream and a special mango sorbet boba sundae.
Elsewhere, you’ll find Thai-inspired bao buns stuffed with the likes of crispy pork belly, tofu, and chicken, hearty Bangkok platters, curries, and an array of different noodle dishes on Zaap Thai’s extensive menu.
There are plenty of strong options for veggies and vegans, with plant-based meat alternatives offered alongside the likes of vegetables and tofu, and a small dim sum section to discover here.
Image: The Manc Group
Image: The Manc Group
As for drinks, discover plenty of cocktails, beers, and soft drinks sourced from Thailand, as well as boozy (and regular) bubble teas with lychee, watermelon, and brown sugar.
Brought to Manchester by the Yorkshire-based SUKHO Group, also behind the Sukhothai and the Zaap Thai Market in Nottingham, it is set to make something of a splash if it passes its consultation on 8 August.
Featured image – The Manc Group
News
Council sets out plans to rework busy Manchester junction after ‘serious safety concerns’
Emily Sergeant
Bold new plans to transform one of Manchester’s busiest junctions following ‘serious’ safety concerns have been unveiled.
All the way back in 2022, Manchester City Council identified the junction of Wilmslow Road with Ladybarn Road and Sherwood Street as an area that would ‘greatly benefit’ from upgraded infrastructure.
As a major route into Manchester, and an important route cutting through the city’s southern neighbourhoods, this junction sees a vast amount of road, cyclist, and foot traffic every day… and because of this, there are also said to be ‘serious concerns’ around safety when it comes to this particular stretch of road.
In a five year period between 2018 and 2023 alone, there were 15 collisions at this junction, the Council explained – with two of these classified as ‘serious’.
Under the plans – which have been announced by the Council this week – the junction is to be partially redesigned, creating several new and safer crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians, a more ‘seamless’ route along the current cycling lanes, and overall, just general improvements to the layout.
🚧 Wilmslow Rd Junction Improvements 🚲 Works start 18 May 2026 at Wilmslow Rd / Ladybarn Rd / Sherwood St to make the junction safer for pedestrians & cyclists. ✅ New cycle lanes ✅ Safer crossings ✅ Better links to the Fallowfield Loop 🔗 https://t.co/Y26mH7cc8Epic.twitter.com/IiOih5ehqp
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) May 11, 2026
Some of the safety features set to be included are three dedicated crossing points for pedestrians at the junction, rumble strips for cyclists at pedestrian crossing points, and improved signage and road markings.
Work is due to begin as early as next Monday (18 May), and will run until January 2027.
The work is set to be carried out in four phases, the Council has confirmed – with the first phase of these works comprising of the removal of street furniture, kerbs and tarmac, as well as upgrades to the drainage and road markings.
“This junction in particular sees a high volume of traffic – from cars, cyclists and pedestrians, commented Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport at Manchester City Council.
“So it was clear that improvements were required following our engagement with local residents.
“As has been the case with other schemes like this in Manchester, safety remains our number one priority.
“We have long said that we want Manchester to be a city where people can walk and cycle around in safety, and by upgrading this junction and improving its crossing points, we are taking another step towards that goal.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
News
Printworks launches UK-wide student art competition for Europe’s largest digital ceiling
Emily Sergeant
Printworks has launched a student art competition offering the winner a chance to have their work displayed on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
Do you know an aspiring artist? Students aged 16 and over are invited to bring the ocean to life in a brand-new creative arts competition launched by one of the UK’s leading entertainment destinations, Manchester’s Printworks.
The venue has now opened entries for UK students from sixth forms, colleges, universities, and art colleges across the country to take part in an exciting new art competition.
This year, students are asked to create an original artwork inspired by the theme ‘Ocean / Under the Sea’, and then the winning design will be transformed into a spectacular digital display across the impressive ceiling installation.
From colourful coral gardens and tropical fish, to mysterious deep-sea worlds and majestic marine life, students are encouraged to unleash their creativity and dive beneath the waves for inspiration.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch this year’s student art competition and can’t wait to see the imagination and creativity that the UK’s young artists bring to this year’s theme,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks Manchester.
Printworks has launched a UK-wide student art competition for Europe’s largest digital ceiling / Credit: Supplied
“Our digital ceiling gives students the opportunity to see their work displayed on a truly massive scale in front of thousands of visitors, and we hope the addition of new prizes will encourage creativity to continue beyond the competition.”
The winning artist will also receive an iPad 11th Generation with an Apple Pencil (USB-C) this year too, as well as the main prize of having their artwork featured, giving budding creatives powerful new tools to continue developing their artistic talents and future projects.
Entrants who come in second and third place will also receive vouchers to be used at different venues inside Printworks.
The competition is now open, and further details on how to enter, submission guidelines, and full terms and conditions can be found on the Printworks website here.
Georgina Pellant -
24th July 2023 
