A chip shop in Stockport that’s been serving its community since the 60s has been named one of the best in the country.
Tucked between a pet food shop and an Iceland outlet, Taylors location in Woodley seems pretty unassuming – but according to a whole host of accolades, including an OBE being given to its owner for how well she treats her staff, this is the place to go if you want a cracking chippy tea in Stockport.
Owner Annie Wallace prides herself on using only the finest ingredients and stresses that the potato selection is just important as the fish. She has run the shop since leaving school at 16, with it having been opened by her parents in 1966, and reckons she won’t ever retire.
The popular local fish and chip shop has just been named in the ‘Official Guide to the UK’s Quality Fish and Chip Shops 2021′, an annual award it always wins, hosted by National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) and Sarson’s vinegar.
Regularly selling more than 200 fish at peak chippy tea time on a Friday, inside choices include staples like scampi, fish cakes, scallops, and a selection of breaded cod, haddock and hake – not to mention some of the chunkiest, vinegar-doused chips around.
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Image: Taylors via Facebook
Sausages are also available, but if you want batter you will be left disappointed – as it’s not on the menu. That said, there’s plenty of homemade pies like steak and kidney and meat and potato, plus mince, chilli, and chicken nuggets, so they aren’t exactly short of meaty options either.
And at Christmas, they do mini battered sausages wrapped in bacon and served with Cranberry sauce – the ultimate treat worth waiting for.
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Elsewhere, you’ll find classic sides like mushy peas and gravy, baked beans, curry sauce, Irish curry, hash browns, ketchup, special housemade tartar using Taylors’ own recipe, and muffins either buttered or filled with chips.
Image: Taylors via Facebook Image: Taylors via Facebook
It’s very reasonably priced too, with a large portion of chips coming in under £2 and a portion of battered cod at just under £5.
At 71, owner Anne has been in the shop her whole life – and still works alongside her 73-year-old husband Robert three days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
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She told The MEN on a recent visit: “My mum was still frying fish and chips when she was 92 and I think it kept her young.”
The shop before the refit with its old team. / Image: Taylors via Facebook
Day to day the shop is now generally overseen by manager Jamie, who has himself been with the company since age 16.
As well as offering collection, the popular fish and chip shop always has a delivery service – both running their own within a 30-minute radius from the shop and also partnering with delivery app Just Eat.
You can find the fish and chip shop on Woodley Precinct, in Woodley, Stockport. It’s open from 11.30 am to 7 pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
Ex-England stars Jill Scott and Gary Lineker receive 2025 Legends of Football Awards
Danny Jones
Former England stars Jill Scott and Gary Lineker have been selected as the recipients of this year’s Legend of Football Awards.
The retired footballers turned pundits and presenters have 241 international caps and a combined 34 years of senior playing days between them, not to mention countless appearances at club level throughout their respective careers.
Confirmed on Thursday, 30 January, the pair joined the ranks of Pele, Wayne Rooney, the late Dennis Law; David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, BBC colleague Alan Shearer and several other iconic names to have been chosen in the past.
The MBE and OBE duo will receive their awards at a special ceremony at the JW Marriot Grosvenor House in London this Fall.
Our annual charity fundraising night is hosted in aid of @nordoffrobbins – it has raised a staggering £8.5 million to date.
The Legends of Football Awards ceremony has been every year since it was founded back in 1996, with some of the biggest characters in English, European and world football having received the recognition over the years.
On the announcement of her award, Manchester City and Lionesses legend Jill Scott said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive the 2025 Legends of Football award.
“It’s truly an honour to follow in the footsteps of my former international teammates, Fara Williams and Ellen White, who have also been recognised in recent years.
“The incredible work Nordoff and Robbins do cannot be overstated”, says the Women’s Euro 2022 winner. “Seeing the charity’s incredible impact through its use of music therapy to transform the lives of people with life-limiting conditions has been inspiring.
“I’m really looking forward to the evening and excited to raise money for Nordoff and Robbins.”
As for ex-Spurs, Everton, Leicester and Barcelona star, Lineker, the 64-year-old added: “This acknowledgement is an honour and would not be possible without the support of my former managers and teammates.
“I’m thrilled to be part of an incredible evening that celebrates football and music, all in support of Nordoff and Robbins. Their work is vital in transforming lives through the power of music. Music therapy offers an extraordinary means of helping individuals express themselves and connect with others.”
Described by Sir Alex Ferguson as “the best night in the football social calendar”, the Legends of Football event is an annual charity fundraising night, supported by the Premier League, in aid of music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins.
Also the hosts and lead sponsor of the Northern Music Awards, the organisation champions music therapy charity that uses music as a key tool for those diagnosed with disabilities, living with illness or dealing with trauma, aiding expression and communication with others.
Up to now, the annual event has raised over a staggering £8.5 million to date since John Charles CBE was made the first recipient in its inaugural year. Incredible stuff.
M&S to expand and create flagship store on major Greater Manchester retail park
Emily Sergeant
M&S has announced expansion plans to create a regional flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park.
Only a couple of years after the major retailer permanently closed the doors to its multi-floored store in Bolton town centre back in April 2023, citing changing shopping habits and sparking widespread concerns about the town’s high street, M&S has now revealed grand plans to expand its Middlebrook branch.
The M&S at Middlebrook – which is the largest retail park in the UK – became the only store in the borough following the town centre closure.
While the building on Deansgate in Bolton has remained vacant ever since its closure nearly two years ago, ahead of the anticipated demolition and redevelopment of the town’s Crompton Place shopping centre, it’s not the only site set to receive an upgrade.
M&S will be expanding into two vacant units, including the former Wilko unit, at the Horwich-based retail park.
M&S to expand and create a flagship store on a major Greater Manchester retail park / Credit: Google Maps
Developers Orbit Developments is working with M&S to relocate Boots, which is the other unit which M&S will expand into, and on top of this, a small extension built will also be built onto the back.
Alternative premises have been offered to Boots, according to developers, and they expect the company will stay at Middlebrook.
Set to be a “flagship” store for the region following the redevelopment, Orbit Developments says the new M&S will bring a “renewed vibrancy” to the retail park, and will benefit both customers and the wider community.
More than 100 new jobs will also be created.
“This new brand-defining M&S full line store will significantly enhance the shopping experience for customers in the area and strengthen the retail offering for Bolton at Middlebrook, while creating around 108 new jobs and offering a boost to the local economy,” Orbit Developments said in a statement.
Georgina Pellant -
29th October 2021 
