Rochdale Town Hall finally threw open the doors to the public for the first time this year, following a multi-million-pound refurbishment.
And now, several months later, the magnificent old building has a new string to its bow – a proper Northern restaurant tucked into a corner of its Grade I-listed frame.
This is The Martlet, a sophisticated but thoroughly friendly and approachable new restaurant led by award-winning chef Darren Parkinson, who grew up locally in Heywood and has earned multiple AA rosettes and accolades throughout his career across the UK and northern France.
He’s been joined by Great British Menu star Tristan Welch to create the smart menu packed with classic northern dishes, sourced locally, like Jackson’s rag pudding, and bacon chop with Bury Black Pudding and Denshaw egg.
You’ll find scotch eggs, bacon baps, sticky toffee pudding and plenty of other beloved British dishes here in this much-anticipated restaurant.
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Bacon chop crispy at The Martlet at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: The Manc GroupInside The Martlet at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: The Manc GroupPuddings at The Martlet at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: The Manc Group
At The Martlet, you’ll see sausage rolls and soup with a sandwich nudging up against Turkish eggs and pickled beetroot salads.
It feels special without being pompous, and on a bleak and rainy Tuesday afternoon for our visit it was nicely busy with locals chatting over lunch and a glass of wine.
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And the space has been restored beautifully, painted in rich reds and soft blues and filled with smart wooden and leather furniture.
The Martlet is proud of its heritage and its location – even the artwork on the walls, at first glance modern drawings, are actually replicas of the original tiles found in the Rochdale Town Hall.
The Martlet
Rochdale’s newest restaurant is named after a mythical bird, one which is featured in imagery of the town over the years and even on the borough’s coat of arms.
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With a cafe feel during the afternoons and a more refined evening menu available come nightfall, there’s a lot to love and a lot of reasons to visit.
So what are you waiting for?
The Martlet is open at Rochdale Town Hall now – you can see more HERE.
Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”
Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
Daisy Jackson -
26th October 2024 
