After a turbulent old month, Manchester’s favourite hoagie slingers Bada Bing have found themselves a new home in Ancoats.
Starting from next Friday, the new home of Manchester’s two-fisted sandwiches will be operating out of the kitchen of none other than Ancoats General Store.
It’s great news for the budding small business, run by couple Meg Lingenfelter and Sam Gormally, who have been hit with a series of challenges this month.
Bada Bing has just finished a pop-up at The Refuge as part of an Eatmcr street food takeover / Image: Bada Bing
First having to move out of their dark kitchen unit on Radium street, then getting their Instagram hacked into and losing all of their followers, the pair have a very successful business but haven’t had the easiest time of it lately.
They’ve just spent the past four weeks popping up at The Refuge as part of a summer street food takeover by Eatmcr, but now they’re ready to move into a new permanent home.
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Just a handful of the epic hoagies on offer at Bada Bing – signature sandiwch “the Bing” pictured on the right / Image: Bada Bing
Loyal fans will be absolutely chuffed to hear that they’re going into General Store in Ancoats, taking over the kitchen every Thursday to Sunday from 11.30am to 5pm or until they sell out.
Admirers of their fat hoagies (and rest assured there are many) will, at last, be able to pop round the corner in Ancoats again to grab a hench sarnie stacked to the brim with proper tasty US deli-style meats and cheeses.
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The menu here always holds on to a few favourites, but the team like to add in changing specials to keep things fresh for the regulars.
A recent veggie / vegan special that combined “all the green things” they could put in a sandwich / Image: Bada Bing
Menu staples include the “Muffuletta” with Bing’s smoked ham, chicken, Napoli salami, sharp provolone, olive salad and gochujang mayo and their signature sandwich “The Bing” with gabagool, pistachio mortadella, Napoli salami, ventricina salami, sharp provolone, tomato, lettuce, red onion, homemade giardiniera and mayo.
But there’s so much more to try here too – with an average of at least five different sandwiches on the menu at any one time.
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It sounds like there are some exciting new developments in the pipeline menu-wise, with whispers of homemade icecream and a specially-brewed beer on the cards as well as something new with chicken – but we’ll just have to hold out breath for now.
We’re absolutely buzzing for them. For more updates, keep your eyes on their social media here.
Find Bada Bing at Ancoats General Store from next week, every Thursday to Sunday 11.30am until sell out.
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Government grants local councils power to make pavement parking illegal in their region
Emily Sergeant
New powers are being made available to local leaders across England to introduce pavement parking restrictions in their area.
Blocked pavements can create serious barriers for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users, blind and partially sighted people, and older people, and campaigners say this limits individuals’ independence and makes everyday journeys harder and less safe for them.
So, in a bid to help keep pavements clear and accessible for everyone who uses them, the Government has introduced new local powers.
Following a public consultation – which first took place all the way back in 2020 – the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that local leaders will be given ‘new and improved’ legal powers to make it easier to restrict pavement parking across wider areas, rather than relying on the previous approach where action was often limited to individual streets.
The Government has granted local councils the power to make pavement parking illegal in their region / Credit: Samuel Regan-Asante (via Unsplash)
The Government says local leaders ‘know their streets best’ and are therefore best placed to respond to local needs.
Under this new approach, local leaders will be able to decide to take action on pavement parking in their area, while still getting to retain flexibility where they deem pavement parking may still be acceptable.
“Clear pavements are essential for people to move around safely and independently, whether that’s a parent with a pushchair, someone using a wheelchair, or a blind or partially sighted person,” commented Local Transport Minister, Lilian Greenwood.
Blocked pavements can make it harder for parents with pushchairs, wheelchair users and blind or partially sighted people to get around.
That’s why we’re giving local authorities stronger powers to tackle pavement parking and keep pavements accessible. https://t.co/PIqkIw1LF2
“That’s why we’re giving local authorities the power to crack down on problem pavement parking, allowing more people to travel easily and safely and get to where they need to go.”
By putting decision-making closer to communities, the Government says this approach supports safer and more inclusive streets that ‘work better for everyone’.
The DfT will set out guidance to help local authorities use these powers in a ‘proportionate’ and ‘locally appropriate’ way later in 2026.
Featured Image – Sado Lavren (via Unsplash)
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Ian McKellen to play legendary Salford artist L.S. Lowry in new BBC documentary
Emily Sergeant
Sir Ian McKellen has landed himself an exciting new role, and he’s set to play one of Greater Manchester’s most iconic sons.
One of the most celebrated British actors of all time playing one of the most celebrated British artists of all time? It was meant to be. That’s right, Ian McKellen is set to portray Salford’s very-own L.S. Lowry in the new BBC documentary, L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes, produced by award-winning Wall to Wall Mediaand coming soon to BBC Two and iPlayer.
Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, this immersive documentary film will focus on the touching and often surprising exchange between the enigmatic artist and Angela Barratt – a young fan whose interviews capture Lowry in his most intimate and reflective moments.
Recorded in the artist’s own living room, these tapes reveal Lowry’s authentic voice, which Burnley-born actor McKellen will lip-sync on screen.
Across these candid conversations, Lowry traces his journey from childhood right through to his final days, sharing the memories and experiences that shaped him both as an artist, and crucially, as a man.
Alongside this deeply personal account, the documentary is also set to explore the dramatic transformation of Salford and Greater Manchester, which Lowry, of course, depicted so prolifically in his work.
“To give play to Lowry through his own voice has been a unique privilege,” commented Ian McKellen as his casting was announced this week.
“These tapes reveal an intimate insight into the artist’s thoughts – his ambitions, regrets and his humour. Anyone like me, who admires his paintings and drawings, will be intrigued and delighted that the artist is brought back to life through his own words.”
Mark Bell, who is the Commissioning Editor at BBC Arts, added: “Marking 50 years since Lowry’s death, and celebrating Arena’s own 50-year tradition of ambitious, intelligent storytelling, this film comes at a very special moment.
“The inspired casting of Ian McKellen and Annabel Smith feels like life imitating art in the best possible way. But this film isn’t just about the life of the artist, it also provides an insight into the realities of urban life in Greater Manchester in the 20th century.”
L.S. Lowry: The Unheard Tapes is directed by James Kent, following his recent Emmy win for Lost Boys and Fairies, with executive producer Morgana Pugh, and producer Hannah Mirsky.
Further broadcast details will be announced in due course.
Featured Image – BBC / Wall to Wall Media Ltd / Connor Harris
Georgina Pellant -
13th July 2021 
