Manchester vegan and veggie junk food favourite Wholesome Junkies has found a new permanent home in the archways behind Victoria Station.
Taking over the former Umezushi space at 4 Mirabel Street, owner Chelsea Campbell shared the news with followers on Instagram on Wednesday in an ecstatic post.
She said: “After years of heartbreak searching for the perfect space, we’ve finally got our own place to call home.”
“Follow our journey as we take these next few months to make it into a Wholesome Junkies Restaurant.”
Wholesome Junkies has revealed it will be taking over the former Umezushi site. / Image: Wholesome Junkies
Revealing plans to start a KickStarter in the next few weeks, Chelsea shared her hope that their 43,000+ followers would be able to help make her long-standing dream of opening a restaurant space a reality.
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She first shot to fame in 2018 after appearing on BBC2’s Million Pound Menu, when she appeared on the show, filmed in Spinningfields, to ask for 95,000 to open her own restaurant in Manchester.
Prior to that, she’d been running her Wholesome Junkies concept as a street food pop-up at sites like Grub and Ancoats General Store.
Whilst her bid to impress the BBC judges was not successful at the time, the TV appearance put her on the map and within a year she had her own Arndale market stall – moving into a newly developed section alongside the likes of Holy Crab and Blue Caribou poutine.
Founder Chelsea shot to fame after appearing on BBC’s Million Pound Menu in 2018/ / Image: Wholesome Junkies
Image: Wholesome Junkies
Image: Wholesome Junkies
The popular kitchen has been operating successfully from here since 2019, but now it’s taking an exciting new step forward in its journey.
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Set to open in a number of months, most likely sometime later this summer, the space is small and will offer an intimate dining experience. When home to Umezushi, it seated just 20 diners.
As for Umezushi, widely considered one of the best sushi restaurants in the city (and now turned members-only), its Japanese Omakase experience will move into Unit 3 for the month of April – the former home of The Sparrows restaurant.
When she first began venturing into the world of vegan cooking, the culture still had a stigma of lentils, chickpeas, and ‘rabbit food’.
Image: Wholesome Junkies
Chelsea, it’s fair to say, has been a large part of reshaping that narrative here in Manchester through Wholesome Junkies.
Known for taking familiar dishes and putting her own twist on them, she has built up a loyal following with her vegan junk food concept.
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Given the arrival in recent years of competitiors from out of town – Frost Burgers, V Rev, JJ’s Vish and Chips and What The Pitta, just to name a few -now seems the perfect time to expand into a new permanent home.
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Police launch investigation after a 19-year-old is stabbed in broad daylight at an Oldham retail park
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a stabbing in a ‘very public place’ in Oldham yesterday afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers were called out to Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 30 March 2025) at 3:25pm, and when they arrived on the scene, they found that a 19-year-old man had been stabbed.
The victim was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’, and GMP assures that he and his family are being supported at this time.
A scene remains in place at the retail park and some of the surrounding areas while the investigation is ongoing, and a large police presence can also been seen too as officers continue to collect evidence and piece together the events of what happened.
Police also believe the attack to be an ‘isolated incident’ with those involved known to each other, indicating no threat to the wider public.
“We understand this incident is shocking and took place in a very public space,” commented Inspector Andrew Clayton.
“There have been no arrests so far, but enquiries are ongoing to determine who is responsible. At this stage, we do believe the attack to be an isolated incident involving those known to one another.”
Alexandra Retail Park, where the incident occurred yesterday afternoon / Credit: Google Maps
In a bid to gather as much information as possible, a public police appeal has been made.
Inspector Clayton continues: “We have spoken to a number of witnesses so far, but would encourage anyone who believes they have any information or dash cam footage which could assist our investigation, particularly that which may help us identify the perpetrators, to come forward.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact GMP on 101, quoting log 1757 of 30/03/25, or by getting in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
21st April 2022 
