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.
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.
Top 10 most popular pancake spots in the UK (index score created using figures from Tripadvisor, Google and Instagram):
Ju Ju’s Cafe, Birmingham
Bold Street Coffee, Liverpool
Barkers Tea House, Cardiff
Moose Coffee – Dale Street, Liverpool
Brasco Lounge, Liverpool
MUMS Great Comfort Food, Edinburgh
Bill’s Cardiff Central, Cardiff and Brew & Bake, Belfast
Evelyn’s, Manchester
Mesa, Glasgow
Moose Coffee – York Street, Manchester
Feature image – The Manc Group
News
Body found at Bolton restaurant and suspected cannabis farm days after fire
Daisy Jackson
A body has been found at the site of a fire in Bolton, days after a blaze ripped through a restaurant.
It’s believed that the fire started on the first floor of the property, with early inquiries suggesting it may have been used as a cannabis farm.
Human remains were found at the premises on Bolton Road in Farnworth.
A criminal investigation is now underway and Greater Manchester Police are appealing for information and footage relating to the incident.
Emergency services had first been called to the area at around 1pm on Monday 27 November, to reports of a fire.
Earlier today, Saturday 2 December, a body was found during a search of the restaurant building, days after the fire.
Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Naismith of GMP Major Incident Team said: “Work is ongoing to identify the deceased and we are committed to ensuring the potential family members are fully supported and informed of updates in this investigation.
“The loss of life is a tragedy and I understand the upset this news will cause in the local community. I can assure you on behalf of the investigation team that we are determined to get to the bottom of what has occurred and establish the circumstances surrounding the fire.
“I can confirm this fire is being treated as suspicious and if there is any criminal responsibility, it will be brought to light and dealt with appropriately. We are particularly interested to hear from anyone who knows how this building was being used in the lead up to 27 November 2023.
“I would also like to appeal to anyone with information about the fire itself – including if you have any footage (such as CCTV, mobile or dashcam) – to contact GMP’s Major Incident Team.”
You can make a report by calling 0161 856 1995 quoting log number 1485 of 27/11/2023 or via the reporting function on GMP’s website: www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Tameside police officers hailed ‘absolute heroes’ after saving the life of a seven-year-old girl
Emily Sergeant
Two Tameside police officers have been hailed as “absolute heroes” after saving the life of a seven-year-old little girl.
It comes after emergency services were called to an address in the Greater Manchester borough of Tameside earlier this week (29 November), and found a young girl who was struggling to breath and coughing up blood after choking on a sweet.
Police Constables Aaron Kincaid and James Blundell, from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Tameside division, were first on the scene.
To the huge relief of the girl’s parents, who were said to be “understandably distressed” and concerned for her welfare, PC Kincaid jumped straight into action and was able to utilise his first aid training to full effect by going on to successfully dislodge the sweet from the youngster’s throat, and then helping to calm her down before the paramedics arrived.
Whilst PC Kincaid looked after the little girl, PC Blundell did “everything he could” to help the parents remain calm.
Paramedics then took over once they arrived, and the young girl was taken to hospital as a precaution.
#NEWS | Tameside officers praised for saving the life of a 7-year-old girl who was choking.
The officers used their first aid training to dislodge the sweet, whilst helping the young girl and parents remain calm until paramedics arrived.
Reflecting on the incident, and hailing his officers “absolute heroes”, Superintendent Mike Walsh, from GMP’s Tameside district, said: “PCs Aaron Kincaid and James Blundell acted without hesitation during the incident, and took control of the situation that they were faced with.
“They deserve every credit for staying calm under extreme pressure and for working together as a team and utilising their training to lifesaving effect, and I’m sure the girl’s parents and family will consider them to be absolute heroes.”
“We’re both glad that we were in the right place at the right time,” PC Kincaid added.
“I have a daughter the same age as the little girl who needed our help, and I cannot tell you how much of a relief it was when she started breathing normally and said she was okay after I had managed to dislodge the sweet.
“The little girl gave me a thank you hug before she went to hospital, but I couldn’t have done what I did without PC Blundell’s assistance, so it was a real team effort.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st February 2023 
