Zumuku Sushi, Ply pizza and ‘native beef’ steakhouse Tallow to open at New Century food hall
The New Century food hall will host six of the North’s best independent food operators as well as a coffee and a grab ‘n’ go concept when it opens later this month
It was once an iconic concert hall played by rockstars like Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. Now, after almost a decade of disuse, the former live-music venue New Century Hall is being brought back to life once again (with a slightly different name).
Following a £10 million redevelopment it will reopen in full later this September, but for now all the focus is on the 300-cover food hall which will spill outside onto Sadler’s Yard for al fresco dining, drinking and regular events.
Adam Reid of The French, Altrincham Market House favourite Bahn Vi and father-and-son duo BaoBros23 have already been confirmed as tenants, with the former getting us very excited about a salt-of-the-earth butty shop inspired by childhood visits to the bakery.
Now, the New Century team has announced the next three eateries coming on board to complete its full foodie line up.
Offering a mix of casual dining options, New Century bosses have revealed that popular Northern Quarter pizzeria Ply and Wilmslow sushi favourites Zumuku Sushi will both join the ground floor kitchens alongside Tallow, a ‘native beef’ steakhouse and burger concept from classically trained chef Tom Lowe.
Each will bring something different to the site, with PLY exploring ‘wild pizzas’ as part of a collaboration with the planet-saving flour company Wildfarmed.
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Firing everything in a custom-built pizza oven at the helm of New Century’s ground floor, chef Carl Fraenki-Retti has developed his recipe using their biodynamic flour to create a 24-hour slow proved dough which forms the basis of a vibrant menu.
Meanwhile, chef Tom Lowe will draw from the great steakhouses of the UK and Europe and his passion for well bred, native beef at new opening Tallow. Working with 28 day aged beef from local butchers, diners can expect to find high quality steaks, burgers and sides.
Image: Zumuku Sushi
Image: Ply
And last but definitely not least, Zumuku Sushi will bring its authentic, fresh sushi and other Japanese favourites to the food hall.
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Already hugely popular in Wilmslow, this will be the first Manchester city centre site for Zumuku. Sushi chef Benjie did two years of training in Japan, before moving to the UK and taking the plunge in 2018 to set up the first Zumuku takeaway. Now he has seven in total across Greater Manchester.
Alongside the roster of food traders, diners will find a full bar offering with local beers, wines, a creative cocktail menu and artisan coffees, teas, juices and smoothies all available.
As well as the kitchens, music and events venue above, the ground floor will be home to Access Creative College.
New Century will be home to the college’s third site in the city with degree-level courses in music, games and computing delivered by the innovative educational provider, DBS Institute.
The state-of-the-art creative campus will include a media centre, production pods and the opportunity to experience work in a live venue within the same building.
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Former Manchester police officer jailed after sexually assaulting a child while on duty
Emily Sergeant
A former Manchester police officer has been jailed after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child while he was on duty.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that, on 29 December 2023, Dean Dempster was one of three officers responding to a domestic incident involving an adult and children, and it was while he was taking an account from a six-year-old girl, away from his colleagues, that he sexually abused her when he should have been there to protect her.
After GMP investigated a complaint received later that evening in relation to the incident, Dempster was immediately confronted by his supervisor when he returned to duty the next morning.
The 35-year-old was arrested that day by officers in Oldham, and then “relentlessly pursued” by GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate to “explore any further evidence of offending” in an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
A former officer has been jailed for sexually abusing a child on duty last year.
Swift action from local officers made sure Dean Dempster never stepped foot in the community again.
Our unit for professional standards has brought Dempster to justice for his despicable crimes. pic.twitter.com/IN2HQOHQEw
A review of Dempster’s electronic devices revealed “further serious offending”, GMP revealed, including the making of indecent images of children.
Sadly, the police investigation also found images on Dempster’s mobile phone taken from his body-worn video camera at the incident in December 2023 of a second clothed child, and of another clothed child at a separate incident dating back to 2022 – with the victims of both families having been made aware, and kept updated throughout the investigation
Dempster was convicted and sacked “at the earliest legal opportunity” by the Chief Constable at an accelerated misconduct hearing in May this year, and he has since admitted six counts of making indecent images, and two counts of Misconduct in Public Office.
After pleading guilty, the former officer has now been jailed for nine years, and has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Deputy Chief Constable, Terry Woods, said Dempster “represents the very worst of society”.
“He is not a police officer, he is a child sex offender, a criminal, and he has no right to be near police uniform or serve the public,” DCC added. “Dempster was rightfully arrested and charged before he could ever work in our communities again.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi again this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.
After tens of thousands of local residents visited the “stigma-free safe spaces” to escape and take refuge from the cold back in both 2022 and 2023, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.
22 libraries across Manchester are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to “provide support to people who need it” over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Manchester’s libraries are becoming ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi this winter / Credit: Flickr | Geograph
Free hot drinks, Wi-Fi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.
Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.
Winter is a challenging time for households, but your library has something for everyone.
They are warm welcoming spaces to have a chat, get advice and get a data SIM to get online.
All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them “for as long as you like”.
“Heading towards winter, we are very much aware that the cost of living crisis still continues to affect many families across Manchester,” explained Councillor Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“This is why, more so than ever, we as a Council continue to do our utmost to support people who may be struggling.
“Our participation in the Warm Welcome Spaces programme, combined with our Cost of Living support package shows we are committed entirely to helping any many people as possible during this difficult period.”
Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.
Georgina Pellant -
11th August 2022 
