A ‘pub for plants’ will be taking over one of Manchester’s favourite watering holes and transforming it into a foliage-friendly boozer.
Northern Quarter pub The Freemount will be reimagined as ‘The Seed & Sip’ for one night only on Wednesday, June 29, as part of a partnership between Inch’s cider and leading online plant retailer Patch.
It will play host to an array of forna-inspired events including, wackily, a gig for plants that will be performed by indie rock band Red Rum Club.
Promising the perfect night out for plant and human punters alike, the Seed and Sip will also host its own horticultural twist on speed dating in the form of ‘speed planting’ sessions.
Image: The Freemount
Open to singles and couples, it’s more about finding your perfect plant than your perfect partner – with expert advice from the Patch team to prove there really is a plant out there for everyone.
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On entry guests will be given tokens for free pints of Inch’s cider and Heineken 0.0, as well as delicious snacks and the chance to win stellar prizes to see out the summer.
Those heading down will be met with a living wall of plants that will permanently take over the pub’s exterior, created by the award-winning Edible Bus Stop who have just taken home the Silver-Gilt at The Chelsea Flower Show.
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Plant Doctors from Patch will be on hand to help guests discover their perfect plant partner, and a special guest comedian will host a Plant Pub Quiz where guests will be in with the chance of winning a number of festival tickets to Tramlines and Boardmasters.
The Seed and Sip will be launching at 73-75 Oldham Street in Manchester on 29 June from 6pm for over 18s.
Image: The Freemount
A limited number of spaces are available, and you can register for a place by emailing [email protected] with your full name. The pub will also be open to walk-ins during the night.
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The partnership hopes to showcase the importance of sustainability, connecting pubs and nature together as one.
Rachel Holms HEINEKEN UK, Cider Unit Director, says: “Inch’s Cider focuses on sustainability and nature, which is why we’ve teamed up with Patch to bring consumers a taste of nature in a fun and exciting way. The Seed and Sip is an experience like no other for pub-goers and plants alike, an environment to chill, drink a cold cider and meet new friends – of both the human and horticultural variety.
“Patch is the go-to brand for a new generation of urban drinkers who have an increased interest in nature, so we’re excited about this partnership and shared passion for bringing pubs and nature together as one – and you may even leave with a personality-matched plant to move in with you too!”
Red Rum Club’s lead singer, Francis Doran, said: “We have performed to many different crowds in a wide variety of venues over the years, but this is by far the most unique audience we will have the pleasure of entertaining. We hope that the plant guests at the Seed and Sip not only enjoy our music but find it uplifting and help them grow!”
Freddie Blackett, Patch Founder, added: “The pub is a great British institution, and the UK is famous worldwide for its gardens, so it makes perfect sense for pubs to have lush and inviting spaces for customers to enjoy with a drink, like a pint of cider.
Image: Supplied
“We are delighted to be collaborating with a brand who shares our passions, as we set out to create greener spaces in urban areas together.”
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation to open in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Cult US sustainable clothing brand Reformation is set to open its doors in Manchester very soon.
Since it was first founded in Los Angeles all the way back in 2009, Reformation has gone on to become one of the largest sustainable womenswear brands on the planet, and is now known and loved for making beautiful, timeless apparel and accessories that aim to ‘inspire confidence’ across life stages and occasions.
Operating on a business model that pairs a smart approach to merchandising with a responsive supply chain, Reformation now operates more than 70 retail stores across the US, UK, Canada, and France.
At the heart of the Reformation story is a genuine commitment to ‘doing things differently’.
Since day one, sustainability has been woven into everything the brand makes – from the eco-certified fabrics and responsible factories, to its famously transparent sustainability reports.
Currently, Reformation has five UK stores to its name – but, it may come as no surprise to fans of the brand that they’re all in London.
That’s why the news of this new Manchester opening is such a big deal.
Set to be the label’s first UK store outside of the capital, Reformation has secured a prime spot on King Street in the heart of the city centre, and although there’s no confirmed opening date as of yet, if the shop windows saying ‘Summer 2026’ are anything to go by, we can only imagine it’ll be very soon.
“For Manchester, it’s a landmark moment, and for King Street, it’s the latest signal that this is one of the UK’s most exciting retail destinations,” a spokesperson for King Street said in a statement.
Stay tuned for details on opening dates to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis
Emily Sergeant
A series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help combat the rising cost of living crisis are soon to be rolled out nationwide.
Kicking off with two measures today, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced that he plans to ban retailers from making ‘misleading’ claims to customers about discounts.
The Government says shoppers have ‘increasingly complained’ about outlets artificially inflating prices to give a false sense of value, such as increasing prices only to then immediately advertise ‘discounts’ to make savings look larger than they really are, which goes on to create an uneven playing field for honest competitors.
The Prime Minister also wants to see an end to so-called ‘subscription traps’, where people find it hard to cancel their subscriptions, and contracts are automatically renewed at a higher cost.
Set to come into force in January 2027 and saving people an average of £14 a month for every unwanted subscription, the changes will mean businesses will need to provide clearer up-front information, regular reminders. and a ‘much easier’ exit to contracts.
Andy Burnham to begin rolling out new ‘everyday fixes’ for Brits amid cost of living crisis / Credit: gov.uk | Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
A new 14-day cooling-off period will also be introduced to let consumers cancel after a trial or long-term contract renews.
Certain charitable memberships, like the ones for cultural and heritage organisations for example, will be excluded from the new subscription rules due to the fact they have a unique role in preserving the nation’s history, landscapes, and cultural collections.
The Prime Minister says he is ‘determined’ to use every chance he gets to restore fairness and take pressure off people.
“I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps,” Andy Burnham said. “Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles like this are just part of life, but I don’t think that’s right, especially when the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives.”
Georgina Pellant -
20th June 2022 
