The sisters behind cult Lancashire favourite Finch Bakery are opening a new pop-up in Manchester next week.
Known for creating indulgent, gut-busting treats like cookie pies, cake jars, ‘school dinner cake’, giant celebration cakes and munchable brownies and blondies, the news of their arrival is sure to get Manchester’s sweet tooths excited.
The good news? There’s not long to wait now.
Started by two twin sisters with a passion for baking, the pair first started messing around in the kitchen whilst doing their degrees at university.
Image: Finch Bakery
But what first began as a hobby conducted out of their parent’s kitchen has since grown into a Lancashire cult favourite after Lauren and Rachel Finch opened the doors to their first bakery in Great Harwood six years ago.
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What started out as a self-proclaimed “calorific hobby” catapulted into a fully-fledged business complete with a shop, a unit, forty employees, a van, and an online delivery service.
The pair even released their own best-selling cookbook, The Finch Bakery: Sweet Homemade Treats and Showstopper Celebration Cakes in August last year – which went on to top the Sunday Times bestseller list.
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Now, they’re expanding into Manchester city centre with their very first pop-up at Harvey Nichols.
Image: Finch Bakery
Opening from 7 February, the pair will be selling their famous ‘cake in a cup’ creations in store, offering shoppers everything from indulgent chocolate-laden brownies and Biscoff blondie,s to colourful layered cake jars.
Their signature treats will be available to take away from a new unit created for them on the department store’s ground floor, whilst a selection of daily bakes will be made available to enjoy inside too from the Second Floor Deli Bar.
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You’ll be able to find the pair’s goodies on sale at Harvey Nichols from 7 February for the next six months.
Image: Finch Bakery
Speaking on the new opening, the pair said: “We can finally reveal we are opening a second Finch Bakery site…in our dream location of Manchester City centre!
“And where better than Harvey Nichols? We’re so pleased to be given the opportunity to pop up in such an iconic store and we can’t wait to bring our cakes and brownies to the people of Manchester.”
To find out more, head over to their Instagram to get a good look at all the different bakes they have on offer.
Two teens arrested after stabbing of 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre
Emily Sergeant
Two teenagers have been arrested following the stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
In case you need bringing up to speed first, at around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.
Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.
Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Police conceded that this will ‘understandably’ cause concern in the community, but has assured the public that they believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.
And now, it has been confirmed that two teenage boys, also aged 14, were arrested on Sunday night (18 October) on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and tat this time, they are currently in custody for questioning.
“We’d like to thank the local community for their support during our investigation as well as the passersby who helped the victim following this incident,” commented Detective Inspector Sean McFadden, of GMP’s City of Manchester district.
“Your quick-thinking undoubtedly saved the victim from potentially life-threatening injuries.
“We appreciate that incidents of this nature can cause concern and we’d like to reassure the public that we understand this was an isolated incident and there is no wider threat to the community.
“Officers worked quickly and arrested two juveniles on Sunday, and they currently remain in custody for questioning.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
UK Government announces £100 fines for ‘antisocial behaviour’ on public transport
Emily Sergeant
The Government has today announced plans to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport.
In a bid to crackdown on loud music, littering, vaping, and other threatening behaviour on buses and trains, guidance was issued by the Government today for local authorities to prosecute and even issue fines of up to £100.
For many, playing audio out loud on public transport – also known as ‘loudcasting’ – has become one of modern life’s most irritating parts of the daily commute, but now, a new national campaign is aiming to encourage rail passengers, in particular, to ‘share the carriage, not the noise’ to improve the journey experience for all.
This will include reminders of the rules in place on the rail network and, if a passenger refuses to stop when asked by authorised rail staff, they can be removed from the train at the next station or face fines up to £1,000.
On buses, however, the powers for authorities were already made possible by the Bus Services Act 2025, meaning all local transport authorities in England are able to set and enforce their own rules.
Authorised officers – including transport safety officers and the police – will be responsible for enforcement, rather than bus drivers themselves, and they will be tasked with a three-step approach to deal with incidents. They will need to:
Engage with the person
Explain the rules and their impact on other passengers
Take enforcement action if they refuse to comply
“We’ve all been on the train when someone starts blasting music or videos from their phone,” commented Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
“It gets on your nerves and can quickly spoil the journey, so we’re launching a nationwide campaign reminding passengers to use headphones on trains. On top of that, we’re giving local leaders new powers to tackle loud music, vaping and littering on buses.
“It’s a simple thing, but one that will make journeys that little bit better for all of us.”
Ben Plowden, Chief Executive at the Campaign for Better Transport, added: “Antisocial behaviour is not just irritating, it can be a real deterrent to people using public transport – especially people with different accessibility requirements.
“If these new powers are properly and visibly enforced, they should help everyone feel safe and comfortable on public transport and enjoy the ride.”
Georgina Pellant -
31st January 2022 
