It’s looking like another great week for eating out in Manchester as more operators get the confidence to throw open their doors to the public.
This week marks the opening of Takk’s new project, Kerb Wines, a new haven for natural wine in Ancoats that will also function as a ‘part-time’ bar, as well as the opening of a new semi-permanent home for Liverpudlian Chinese Chippy Woo Tan Scran.
Elsewhere, Le Social Wines has just announced they’ll be popping up in the new residency spot at KAMPUS; Kong’s chicken shop has been playing around with some fried chicken roast dinners at Northern Monk that we’re very excited about – and there’s a new announcement coming from Tine later this week.
Keep reading to discover our top food and drink picks for the week. As ever, there’s plenty to get stuck into.
A full vegan Chinese chippy takeover at Stage and Radio
Liverpudlian Chinese chippy Woo Tan Scran first made its way down to Manchester during the second or third lockdown, bringing its “most ordered on Deliveroo” crown with it. After operating here for a while as takeaway only, they’ve now found a new semi-permanent home at Stage and Radio.
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Promising “a new style of Woo Tan”, there’ll be a mix of old favourites on offer going forward alongside some new flavours from the team. Think stuffed bao buns, loaded chips and a whole host of vegan dim sum, like sesame ‘prawn’ toast and jackfruit pancakes.
Find Woo Tan Scran at Stage and Radio, 43 Port St, Manchester M1 2EQ from 4 August.
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A brand new Korean restaurant in Ramsbottom
Popular family-run restaurant Kimji in Preston has expanded with a second new opening and can now also be found serving up its Korean favourites in Ramsbottom.
Dishing up traditional Korean classics like bibimbap and bulgogi bbq alongside stews and soups, proper homemade kimchi, crispy pancakes, Korean fried chicken and dumplings. Opening its doors on 27th, it was fully booked for its first few days but there are a few slots opening up this week.
Find Kimji’s new Korean restaurant at 41 Bolton St, Ramsbottom, Bury BL0 9HU.
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The ultimate artisanal summer donut box
Founded in lockdown after baker Sulin Khng Baldwin found her travel plans suddenly canceled, DGHNT regularly releases different themed donut boxes – and this week is your last chance to get the summer one.
As well as her cherry coconut (pictured above), this new box also features an apricot ricotta creation dressed in an apricot glaze and pistachio crumb and a peach melba donut with almond frangipane, vanilla poached peach, toasted almonds and raspberry sauce.
Last but not least, it also sees the return of the iconic mango lassi donut – made with mango cardamom glaze, pistachio and dried mango, we’d say the box is a must for this one alone.
To order message DGHNT on Instagram. The summer box is available Tuesday to Saturday with some delivery and collection slots throughout the week.
A new natural wine store and ‘part-time’ bar in Ancoats
Kerb wine, a new project from the team behind Northern Quarter coffee shop Takk and ÖL Bar & Brewery, opens this Friday 6 August in Ancoats’ Cutting Room Square – joining ranks with the likes of Le Social, Erst, Isca and Higher Ground.
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Offering a gorgeous selection of natural wine, ranging from homegrown British producers to hand-picked winemakers across Europe and further afield, everything will be available to takeaway by the bottle or on tap.
Here comes the bit we’re really keen on. Kerb will also operate as a ‘part-time’ bar on the last weekend of every month. We advise putting 27-29 August in your diaries now, and if you like the sound of drinking in the shop we’ll definitely see you there.
Find Kerb Wine at Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 5BF from Friday 6 August.
A new French bistro in the old Bock Biere site
Bock Biere Cafe was one of the earliest hospitality casualties to suffer at the start of the pandemic, so when the news finally broke that the former fondue favourite was being replaced with a new concept from the teams behind CBRB and Henry C it was very well received indeed.
Now known as 10 Tib Lane, the three-story townhouse has had quite a transformation – migrating from Belgium to France as it takes on a whole new team and cultural identity.
Gone are the fondue platters and frothy beers, in their place a new menu of small plates designed by Volta’s Alex Shaw and some serious-sounding cocktails. Think milk-washed ‘whiskey and soda’ made with two types of Chivas, burnt caramel vanilla and citric acid, to give you an idea.
Open now, head to 10 Tib Lane, Manchester, M2 4JB. Open Wednesday to Friday from 4pm-2am, and Saturday to Sunday from 12pm-2am.
News
The 2025/26 Premiership Women’s Rugby season has been delayed
Danny Jones
The next Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) season has been officially delayed by nearly three weeks.
Announced on Tuesday, 21 January, the decision has been taken in an effort to help promote the Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC), the proximity of which is rather close to the national union championship competition.
With sporting bodies also trying to nurture a growing interest in female rugby, the start of the next PWR season will be pushed back not only to give players more time to rest but in an effort to drive a larger audience to the WRWC as well, the final of which is being played here in England.
The hope is that it will also better the Red Roses’ chances of winning the international tournament in turn – fingers firmly crossed.
Get excited 🤩
The PWR 2025-26 Season will officially kick off on Saturday 25th October PLUS the PWR Cup will return 🙌
The conclusion of the international tournament is taking place at Twickenham Stadium in London on 27 September, just days before the 2025/26 Premiership season was due to start.
Local side Sale Sharks are sadly at the bottom of the table this current campaign, which kicked off on 5 October 2024 and ends this March, but with eyes already on the WRWC the focus for lots of players in the division will no doubt already be shifting.
Not only is the domestic women’s rugby season being delayed by nearly three whole weeks – meaning the first games won’t happen until 25 October – but this comes after the current schedule of fixtures was also reduced with player recovery in mind ahead of the World Cup.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the PWR’s operations manager, Amy Walmsley, said: “The Rugby World Cup is a generational moment for women’s rugby and will create a huge opportunity for both PWR and our clubs to grow and celebrate with their fans.
“The optimum time between the Rugby World Cup Final and our first league match will ensure we capitalise on what we already know will be the biggest and best World Cup ever, while also ensuring player welfare with adequate rest across the season.”
The stats back it up too as 2024 saw numerous milestones for the women’s game; in addition to record crowds at the Olympics, last year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations was the most viewed on record with 8.1 million fans tuning in, not to mention an increased interest among 18-24-year-olds.
You can find the run-down of the Sale Sharks Women fixtures below:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗜𝗻
All of our fixtures for the 24/25 season are locked in. Let's bring that Northern roar to every game #SharksFamily 🦈
As for the final of the Premiership Women’s Rugby, the date has been reverted to its usual window in June, which should also fit within what congestion remains.
Nevertheless, with the Women’s Six Nations in late April and England – who have won all but one of their last 51 games – set to begin their World Cup on 22 August, the margins are still going to be somewhat fine if they are to head into the tournament in the best shape possible.
With the tickets selling extremely well, the expectation is that the Rugby World Cup final break is set to break the world record for the best-attended women’s rugby fixture in history.
In the meantime, Greater Manchester is gearing up for the men’s action as the Six Nations gets underway at the end of this month and the city is boasting the perfect place to watch it.
Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year
Emily Sergeant
Digital driving licences are set to be introduced across the UK later this year, it has been announced.
Science Secretary Peter Kyle has announced today that, before 2025 is out, Brits will be given the option to use a digital version of their driver’s licence from their phone to easily prove their age when buying age restricted items online and in person, as well as proving their right to drive.
A mobile driver’s licence is set to be one of the first digital documents in a GOV.UK wallet app that’s being launched later this year.
— Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (@SciTechgovuk) January 21, 2025
The new wallet will allow users to securely store Government-issued documents on their phone, such as DBS checks, Veteran Cards, and loads more, as well as driving licences, and use them easily when needed by making use of a range of security features that are built into modern smart phones – including facial recognition checks.
According to the Government, the new service means that digital documents will be more secure, even if a device is lost.
Traditional physical documents will still remain available, however.
The mobile driver’s licence will be piloted later in 2025, and all Government services will have to offer a digital alternative, alongside paper or card credentials, by the end of 2027 under plans set out by the blueprint for digital Government.
“This is a game changer for the millions of people who use their driving licence as ID,” commented Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“The innovation puts power back in the hands of the people, making everyday interactions faster, easier, and more secure. We are delivering on the Plan for Change by making public services work for everyone.”