News

These two Manchester pancake spots have just been ranked in the UK’s top 10

Both Moose Coffee and Evelyn's have been listed amongst the very best places for pancakes in the country.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 21st February 2023

When it comes to pancakes, we already know that Manchester has some great options – but according to a new study, we apparently have two of the best pancake spots in the whole country.

In honour of Pancake Day, aka Shrove Tuesday, Betway has commissioned a new survey to list the best spots where you can treat yourself to your favourite fluffy, sugary treats up and down the UK – and two of our favourite Manchester eateries have just made the top ten.

Measuring popularity by a unique index score (generated by the number of hashtags each location has racked up on Instagram, as well as Google and Tripadvisor reviews), the survey includes American-style pancake houses as well as restaurants selling French crêpes to cover all bases.

The lower the overall index score, the higher the ranking and, with the results now in, it has been revealed that two Manchester spots feature alongside sites in Birmingham, Liverpool and Cardiff. 

These are longstanding Northern Quarter cafe Evelyn’s (coming in at #8) and the ever-popular North American ‘comfort diner’ Moose Coffee (ranking at #4 and #10), which has multiple northwest sites and two in Manchester city centre – one on New York Street and a second on Piccadilly Approach.

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Image: Evelyn’s
Image: Evelyn’s

First opened in Manchester in 2013, Moose frequently attracts queues around the block and is known for its fluffy North American pancakes and Canadian-style breakfasts.

The menu here is heavily inspired by the founders’ travels in America and Canada, and owners cite iconic New York breakfast spots like Pershing Deli at the south end of Grand Central Station and Comfort Diner on 45th Street as key influences.

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Read more: The North American ‘comfort diner’ that’s been a Manchester fixture for 10 years

As a result, there’s a long list of Moose pancake stacks and benedicts served alongside classics like savoury, smooth and buttery comfort food Grits and fried potato hash – all available to eat in or, alternatively, to order to enjoy from the comfort of your couch (courtesy of Deliveroo).

As for trendy Northern Quarter cafe Evelyn’s, another longstanding fixture in Manchester city centre, you’ll find indulgent buttermilk souffle pancakes loaded with honeycomb butter and a spiced berry compote.

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There are specials for pancake day 2023 too, like Nutella and strawberry, date caramel and banana, and a spiced apple compote.

Alongside Manchester eateries, those in the neighbouring city of Liverpool also did very well with its native Bold Street Coffee (which has recently opened two new sites in Manchester) ranking at a prestigious #2.

As for the number one spot, that was scooped up by Ju Ju’s Cafe in Birmingham – an independent family run restaurant offering a selection of pancake options, from banana and salted caramel, berry, and crispy bacon and syrup.

Read more: The best pancakes in Manchester and where to find them

Top 10 most popular pancake spots in the UK (index score created using figures from Tripadvisor, Google and Instagram):

  1. Ju Ju’s Cafe, Birmingham 
  2. Bold Street Coffee, Liverpool
  3. Barkers Tea House, Cardiff
  4. Moose Coffee – Dale Street, Liverpool
  5. Brasco Lounge, Liverpool
  6. MUMS Great Comfort Food, Edinburgh
  7. Bill’s Cardiff Central, Cardiff and Brew & Bake, Belfast 
  8. Evelyn’s, Manchester 
  9. Mesa, Glasgow
  10. Moose Coffee – York Street, Manchester

    Feature image – The Manc Group

News

Manchester United announce record revenue despite on-pitch struggles

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester United have declared a record revenue figure for the full 2025 fiscal term, even with their poor performances on the pitch over the past 12 months.

They may still be a continually struggling Premier League side who seem to be in a perpetual state of transition, but they remain nothing short of a global giant in terms of sporting brands.

Yes, despite Man United recording two of the worst finishes in domestic history in the previous two campaigns and head coach Ruben Amorim having already overseen the worst start to a top-flight season in the modern era following the defeat on derby day, the football club has reached a monetary milestone.

According to their official reports for the fourth and final quarter of the financial year, they brought in a record-breaking £666.5 million throughout 2024/25 – but, as always, it’s more complicated than that.

Released on Wednesday, 17 September, Manchester United PLC confirmed that they had managed to record the biggest revenue figures on several fronts despite crashing out of the Europa League, finishing 15th in the table overall and failing to secure a place in any European competition this season.

The first half of Amorim‘s tenure at Old Trafford saw the club’s worst competitive placing since 1973/74, a.k.a. the last time the Red Devils were relegated from the first division.

Nevertheless, a fresh shirt sponsorship agreement with Snapdragon, new brand partnerships with the likes of Coca-Cola, an extension of their contract with travel experience company, SportsBreaks, and numerous other deals saw United achieve a record commercial revenue of £333.3m.

Elsewhere, match revenue was also up and reached new heights, tallying approximately £160.3m in the 12 months leading up to 30 June 2025 – the most they have ever registered when it comes to ticket sales, concessions, and other transactions in and around game days.

Controversial increases to some ticket prices and seat changes no doubt helped tip the scales in that respect, but it’s also worth clarifying that they still posted overall losses of £33m.

Although this number is a reduction of more than 70.8% what they lost last year (£113.2m), there is still plenty of concern among supporters over how money is still not only being spent but moved around.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS board did pay sizeable chunks of MUFC’s debt, which has piled up at an alarming rate in the two decades since the Glazer takeover, but there has still been plenty of borrowing.

In addition to a number of shorter-term loans, there has also been an increased level of amortisation and significant transfer spending this summer, despite being admittedly cash-strapped.

As well as actually having less money to play with over the past 12 months, they are also set to receive less in TV rights and broadcasting revenues this season due to not making it into any European competition, hence why they went on a post-season Asian tour to try and make up for funds lost.

It’s estimated that the business earned a further £8 million from these games, but it’s also worth noting that significant sums have been spent not only on new signings but also on severance fees and redundancy packages, so it’s hard to assess how much this extra injection helped with the fine margins.

Divisive CEO and former City Football Group exec, Omar Berrada, wrote in the comments section of the full findings and financial report: “As we settle into the 2025/26 season, we are working hard to improve the club in all areas.

“On the field, we are pleased with the additions we have made to our men’s and women’s first team squads over the summer, as we build for the long term. Off the field, we are emerging from a period of structural and leadership change with a refreshed, streamlined organisation equipped to deliver on our sporting and commercial objectives.”

Yet again, it’s worth noting that the same ‘streamlining’ her refers to includes sacking over 450 staff across two rounds of lay-offs.

He adds: “We are also investing [in upgrading] our infrastructure, including completion of the £50m redevelopment of our men’s first team building at Carrington, on time and on budget, following prior investment in our women’s team facilities, to create a world-class environment for our players and staff.

“Meanwhile, planning continues to meet our ambition of developing a new stadium at Old Trafford as part of a transformational regeneration of the surrounding community.

Manchester United’s Old Trafford regeneration project backed by UK government
Total Manchester United revenue may be up but they’re about to shell out seismic outlay for their new stadium costs.

Berrada signs off by insistig that for the club to have “generated record revenues during such a challenging year for the club demonstrates the resilience which is a hallmark of Manchester United.

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“Our commercial business remains strong as we continue to deliver appealing products and experiences for our fans, and best-in-class value to our partners.”

“As we start to feel the benefits of our cost reduction programme, there is significant potential for improved financial performance, which will, in turn, support our overriding priority: success on the pitch.”

What do you make of Manchester United’s 2024/25 annual report and how it fits into the wider picture/struggles elsewhere around the club?

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

News

FIFA confirm new changes to international breaks – and many fans are divided

Danny Jones Danny Jones FIFA confirm new international breaks schedule explained

Global sporting body FIFA have announced new changes to the annual football calendar and the ever-divisive international breaks, specifically.

It’s fair to say that not everyone is in agreement over the update to what many fans and even players already find a frustrating format.

Put simply, FIFA have revealed that they will be merging the traditional September and October breaks into one extended period of international football from 2026 onwards.

Once again, although the decision has been met with plenty of support, it has also faced just as much, if not potentially even more, resistance.

As detailed by multiple outlets following full confirmation on Monday, 13 September, footy fans are now looking at a combined 16 days of watching national teams in World Cup qualifiers and other fixtures.

While other clubs further down the footballing pyramid will still be able to watch their team, supporters of Premier League sides and several other divisions will see domestic action cease for roughly three weeks when taking into account rest days between international and club fixtures

Besides incorporating more teams into this year’s World Cup (now a 48-team affair) and the still relatively recent advent of the Nations League – which UEFA introduced in the hopes of creating more interest in the much-maligned international breaks – this is one of the biggest changes in some time.

At present, there are typically four breaks: September, October, November and March/April – not including major tournaments themselves.

One criticism of this format has been the stop-start consequence it has on club football, and indeed, struggling to create any real momentum and/or excitement, as well as the impact on form it sometimes has on players both away on national team duty and when they get back to their clubs.

Another big concern these breaks have always been met with is the added risk of fatigue and injury.

Despite being athletes who regularly train to remain at the peak of their physical fitness, the increasingly congested fixture calendar – particularly for those playing in England, with multiple cup competitions, the prospect of European football AND no break over Christmas – continues to push bodies to the limit.

Once again, these new changes to international breaks won’t come into effect until next year, but there are plenty of pros and cons that professionals and supporters alike will continue to debate until the new schedule is implemented.

Where do you land on all of this?

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Featured Images — MCaviglia (via Wikimedia Commons)/US State Department/rawpixel.com

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