Easter is almost upon us and Manchester’s restaurants and bars have very much risen to the occasion with some brilliant-looking Easter foodie specials.
From sweet Scotch Eggs that take the pub classic to a whole other level, to deep-fried Creme Eggs, hot cross bun fried chicken French toast, a hot cross bagel and even a hot cross cocktail, there are some banging Easter treats kicking around Manchester this weekend.
Keep reading to discover where to get your sweet fix.
Black Milk, Biscoff Scotch Egg
Image: The Manc Eats
Manchester dessert cafe Black Milk Cereal has created these amazing sweet scotch eggs for Easter.
Swapping out sausage meat for Lotus Biscoff, these genius little treats give the seasonal Cadbury mainstay quite the glow up – in the most Northern fashion possible.
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Comprised of Lotus Biscoff cake mix, white chocolate, and a Cadbury’s Creme Egg with its glossy signature runny ‘yolk’ intact, the ultra-indulgent delight is topped off with a Biscoff crumb to give it that out-of-the-pub-fridge look we all secretly crave.
Available from Black Milk’s Northern Quarter site from now right up to Easter, the sweet Scotch Eggs can be enjoyed to eat in or takeaway from £5.95.
Bread Flower is getting in on the Easter action with this hot cross bun-bagel hybrid.
Think a cardamom and cinnamon raisin bagel, topped with the classic cross and finished with an apricot glaze, and served with a marmalade schmear.
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Find a limited number available on the Bread Flower counter at Ducie Street Warehouse this weekend.
Grandpa Greene’s, Easter Egg Hot Chocolate
Image: Grandpa Greene’s
The popular canalside ice cream parlour and cafe in Diggle, Saddleworth, has teamed up with beloved local chocolatier Slattery’s to give the people what they want.
This year, they’ve updated their original hot chocolate recipe and it now comes with a full Slattery Easter egg, marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and mini eggs.
Find it at their Oldham site throughout the month.
Manchester bakery Siop Shop is churning out these fried hot cross donuts in honour of the Easter weekend.
Available from now until Easter Sunday at the Tib Street cafe, in previous years they’ve simply iced the cross on but this year the team has gone the whole hog.
DGHNT, Hot Cross Donuts
Artisan donut baker Sulin Baldwin has created these cardamoom creme-filled hot cross donuts for the Easter weekend.
Covered in a milk chocolate glaze and vanilla drizzle, inside they’re simply bursting with pastry cream.
Available for delivery in Altrincham and Sale, or collection from the Northern Quarter, drop her a message on Instagram to place your order.
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Gooey, Easter box
Image: Gooey
Gooey has created a special Easter box which will be available from its Ducie Street Warehouse kiosk over the long weekend.
Featuring a carrot cake cookie, chocolate-glazed Easter donut filled with white chocolate mousse and passion fruit jam, red velvet cookie cake and dulce de leche-glazed cruller, this looks like one of their best yet.
A Cadbury creme egg, battered and deep fried, served with vanilla ice cream and a dusting of sugar icing, these bad boys will be given away for free on Good Friday to the first 100 through the door.
The kitchen is also making its ‘Hot Cross Fried Chicky’, combining its tender buttermilk fried chicken with a crispy, streaky bacon cross, maple syrup glaze and sweet cinnamon buttered apples, piled into a vanilla custard french toast-fried hot cross bun.
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Ciaooo x Black Milk, Easter chocolate pizza
Image: Ciaooo Pizza MCR
Swan Street pizzeria Ciaoo has teamed up with its Oldham Street neighbours Black Milk Cereal to create this ultimate Easter dessert.
A chocolate pizza loaded with pieces of Kinder Bueno, Kinder Maxi, Nutella, Kinder Surprise and Black Milk’s own homemade Kinderella sauce.
Alex’s Bakery, Easter Egg Cake
Image: Supplied
Famed for its buttercream cupcakes and loaded chocolate brownies, Alex’s Bakery, has launched a Mini Egg Easter Cake for the weekend.
Lovingly created with vanilla sponge, strawberry jam, buttercream and packed with over 100 Mini Eggs, it’s the perfect treat to share with family and friends over a coffee catch up this Easter.
In honour of the Easter weekend, swanky Northern Quarter cocktail bar Mecanica has announced a limited edition ‘Hot Cross Bun’ cocktail.
Featuring Cinnamon Butter washed Bourbon, Pedro Ximénez and Orange Bitters, this is a drink not to be missed.
Fress, Creme Egg Freakshake
Image: Fress
If you want to get your freak on this Easter, Fress has got you covered with a special Creme Egg Freakshake.
Loaded with the ever-popular Cadbury’s favourite, it’s available at the Northern Quarter site for a limited time only.
Dormouse Chocolates, Eggs on Toast Bar
Image: Supplied
Award-winning Manchester chocolatier Dormouse Chocolates has created an ‘Eggs on Toast Bar’ ready for the weekend.
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Comprised of a bread and butter milk chocolate topped with a white chocolate fried “egg” – it offers a tasty take on a breakfast classic and the perfect alternative to a traditional Easter egg.
View the chocolatier’s full Easter selection here.
Manchester Christmas Parade 2025 – all you need to know-ho-ho
Danny Jones
Now we’re into December, the Manchester Christmas Markets have returned both to the city and even to Albert Square for 2025, not to mention it’s bloody COLD, we think it’s fair to say the holiday season is well and truly underway – plus, the annual parade is now just around the corner.
Time to wrap up warm, pick your perfect spot, grab a hot drink and watch as a train of coloured ribbons and giant puppets flood the streets.
Yes, that’s right: not only can Mancs enjoy the return of the festive firework display this winter, but this year’s Christmas parade is taking place this weekend, and the fun-for-all-ages event is promising to be as magical as ever.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 edition.
We managed to catch it right at the start last year. (Credit: The Manc)
MCR Christmas Parade 2025 – all the important info
When is the Manchester Xmas Parade this year?
For starters, if you’re wondering what time the Manchester Christmas Parade starts this weekend, the fun will be kicking off from 1pm on Sunday, 7 December and will last around an hour from start to finish.
MCR Xmas Parade route
As for where it will be heading and when, the procession will follow a circular route that starts and ends back at Manchester Cathedral, before heading through the city centre, running along some major roads and passing notable landmarks.
It is as follows: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral.
There will be two accessible viewing areas available on a first-come basis – one on Cross St (outside Boots) and one on Deansgate (outside House of Fraser).
You can see a full map of the Manchester Christmas Parade route for 2025 down below.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
People coming into the city centre for the parade should note that the busiest sections of the parade route are likely to be previously mentioned Cross St and St Mary’s Gate.
Manchester city centre road closures for Sunday (7 Dec)
8am-5pm
Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
11am-3pm
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel St to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria St to John Dalton St)
John Dalton Street (Southgate to Clarence St)
Cross Street (John Dalton St to Corporation St)
Market Street (Cross St to Exchange St)
St Mary’s Gate (Exchange St to Deansgate)
11am-6pm
St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross St)
As well as the city now having entered what is expected to be one of its busiest periods, it’s also worth reminding that the Metrolink tram service is scheduled for more strikes this weekend, so plan accordingly when heading into town.
It’s also worth noting that these closures will obviously affect parking and bus lanes, as well as some trams and taxi ranks.
There are, of course, always new additions each year, and there’s more never-before-seen content coming for 2025, too.
With even more community groups now taking part than ever, the completely free, family-friendly parade will not only be led by the usual ‘Reindeer Ensemble’ – a talented troupe of eight synchronised dancing reindeer – but a new fantastic ‘Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle’.
Think Christmas meets Willy Wonka, meets Sugar Rush from Wreck-It Ralph and more.
Standing more than four metres tall and surrounded by a giant cavalcade of stilt walkers and dancers, the spectacularly decorated castle slowly rotates as it glides along and is sure to be a particularly must-see moment for the youngsters this year.
Credit: Supplied)
We’re not going to spoil too much else for you this year, as we always find it’s more fun to be surprised by what we see whilst stopping roadside.
Let’s just say there’ll be plenty more Christmassy characters and fantastical festivities in store.
Local councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for MCC, said of the 2025 parade: “Manchester is one hundred per cent the best city in the world when it comes to celebrating the festive season.
“There is nowhere that does Christmas quite like we do, and our iconic Christmas Parade has been a big part of our celebrations over the last three years, helping make magical memories for thousands upon thousands of Mancunians.
“It’s the heartwarming event of the season and our special Christmas gift to the city. Grab your Santa hat and some tinsel, and come down and join us. Don’t miss it!” There’s plenty more on this week, too…
Featured Images — Manchester City Council (supplied)/The Manc Group
News
Salford Red Devils have officially gone bust after more than 152 years
Danny Jones
After more than a century and a half as one of the biggest and most well-supported rugby league teams in the country, Salford Red Devils have unfortunately been liquidated.
It’s a very, very sad day for the Super League and UK rugby at large.
Salford Red Devils had been flirting with insolvency and complete collapse for far too long, and even with the promise of investment following what has now proved to be a fruitless takeover back in February, the local sporting institution has now been folded.
Issuing an update to the fans on Wednesday, 3 December, what remains of the organisation shared an official statement online confirming the news, along with a picture of the crest blacked out.
They wrote the following: “We regret to inform stakeholders, supporters and partners that Salford Red Devils and its operating company, Salford City Reds (2013) Limited, have been subject to a winding-up petition filed by HMRC, and liquidation proceedings have now commenced.
“We understand the gravity of this situation and the uncertainty this creates for everyone connected with the club. For the original club staff who remained up until this point, this is an incredibly emotional moment.
“Whilst there is sadness in seeing things come to this point, there is also a sense of relief that an extremely challenging period for the club has finally come to an end. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all the fans who have stood by us through everything.
“Your passion and loyalty have meant the world to us. More than anything, we hope that the club’s proud name and history can live on and continue to represent the people of Salford.”
Reacting to the dreaded but not unexpected news on social media, vocal fan group The 1873 – who have been both outspoken, militant and dedicated in their protesting of the ownership group – added: “You tried to destroy something that was not yours to destroy – but today you have been defeated.
“Salford Rugby League will rise again, and the rebirth will be beautiful. The 1873.” While they chose to lean towards optimism where possible and belief in a fresh start, many more are undoubtedly still busy mourning the 152-year-old family as they know it.
Salford Red Devils were liquidated today after 152 years. The original Red Devils. Beyond heartbroken. If the club is reborn I'll throw my heart and soul into it. pic.twitter.com/6IvUNklNWJ
The local outfit where given a reprieve regarding their winding-up petition over unpaid debt, not once but four different times, over the past few months.
Financial worries had been lingering plenty before this, of course, with concerns being raised well over a year ago, with bridging loans and players ultimately having to be borrowed from other teams in the division, before various members of staff eventually were let go and/or walked out.
Having been officially relegated from the premier British rugby league competition in October (which also accompanied their IMG grading being dropped), to some, it felt like only a matter of time before this outcome would eventually arrive.
Nevertheless, some are still holding out hope that phoenix – or devil, rather – can rise from the embers and that Salford Red Devils will return in some form under a new regime. One can only hope.
Salfordians – what do you think needs to change if the club comes back?
Georgina Pellant -
12th April 2022 
