Three diners at a pub in Salford have won over £1,000 worth of prizes in the space of two days.
The Black Friar, a historic pub that reopened in 2021 following a stunning £1.4m refurbishment, is currently giving away £72,000 worth of prizes to celebrate its second birthday.
Two regulars, John and Steve, at the Black Friar won £200 off their bill yesterday alongside a table of 7 winning £500 off their bill last night, whilst another table also won their meal for free the night before.
The boozer and restaurant – hailed by Guardian critic Jay Rayner as a ‘riot of Victoriana lite’ with cooking that is ‘big, bullish and beautiful’ – is currently running a special £22 menu and giving away over £72,000 worth of scratch card prizes.
Throughout August every customer receives an free, instant win scratch card with their bill, giving them the chance to win prizes including free meals on the spot, free cocktails, or vouchers giving the winner between £10-£200 off their next visit.
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Whether you’re dining or drinking, it doesn’t matter – all guests get a scratch card regardless, with the pub saying visitors are ‘guaranteed’ to win one of the prizes on offer.
Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
With its kitchen headed up by award-winning chef Ben Chaplin, formerly of 20 Stories, The Black Friar has a well deserved reputation for serving excellent food.
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Throughout August, it is running a special birthday menu with two courses for £22 featuring a mixture of summery à la carte dishes and pub grub favourites, such as pig’s head croquette with curried apple, katsu chicken schnitzel, grandma’s pork sausage with mash and onion gravy, and its famous Black Friar pies.
Elsewhere on the £22 menu, you can also dig into the likes of beer battered fish and chips, the Black Friar’s burger, potato and cauliflower curry, and salt and pepper squid.
As for puddings, think Eton mess loaded with Chantilly, macerated strawberries and a cucumber and mint sorbet, a lime chocolate tart, or affogato with vegan vanilla ice cream.
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The birthday menu is available every day Monday and from 12-6pm Tuesday to Friday.
Image: The Black Friar
Image: The Black Friar
Neil Burke, owner and operator of The Black Friar, said: “We are so excited to celebrate The Black Friar’s second birthday. We can’t wait to see all of our friends, neighbours and loyal guests this August – come to visit us and you’re guaranteed a prize!”
“At the Black Friar, our main focus (other than top-quality drinks and grub) is to give back to our local community. We hope that by offering some amazing prizes that our guests will feel the love.”
The grade II listed pub dates back over 200 years and was originally known as the School Inn, but burned down.
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It was renamed the Black Friar when it was rebuilt in 1886. It was open continuously from then until 2001, when it burned down a second time.
The building has since been refurbed to include a huge award-winning beer garden and outdoor tavern, cosy pub, and grand glass dining room.
Featured image – supplied
News
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
News
Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Georgina Pellant -
4th August 2023 
