Travel & Tourism

The vision to bring trams to Stockport takes a step forward with plans to use underused railway line

Is that the sound of our prayers being answered?

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 1st December 2025

New plans are being considered that could bring trams to Stockport at last.

Transport for Greater Manchester and Stockport Council are developing a business case to extend the tram network to Stockport from East Didsbury.

There are proposals to make use of the ‘underused’ Denton rail line, connecting Ashton to Manchester Airport via Stockport.

Technical work on the first stage of the business case is underway, with plans to submit the case to the Department for Transport next year.

Work could begin before the end of the decade.

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It’s thought that some of these plans, including using the line through Denton, could transform connectivity for thousands of residents and businesses across Greater Manchester.

The first step in the process is exploring a ‘core’ extension from the existing Metrolink stop at East Didsbury to Stockport town centre.

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But another idea and future extensions includes using tram-train technology to run beyond Stockport town centre, connecting Tameside and Manchester Airport.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We’ve a bold plan to deliver a decade of good growth for Greater Manchester, one that benefits every part of the city region. Developing the Bee Network and delivering better bus, tram and train connections will be fundamental to our growth story.

“For too long, Denton has been overlooked and by working up the tram-train option to connect Denton and the wider area to the Metrolink is a big step toward unlocking opportunities for local residents and businesses.

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“We’re committed to extending Metrolink to Stockport and beyond as part of our efforts to connect all our districts to the tram network and delivering a truly integrated transport network for everyone.”

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Gorton & Denton, said: “For years I’ve campaigned, alongside the local community, for improved transport links to Denton and across the constituency. I’m delighted that as part of the Metrolink extension plans, TfGM are looking seriously at using the rail line as an option for tram-train services.

“Improved connectivity is key to opening up opportunities for our people and communities, and supporting the growth ambitions across the city region.

“I’ve long campaigned for better transport links for Denton, and I’m delighted TfGM is looking seriously at this rail line as part of the Metrolink extension plans. This could be transformative for our community, improving connectivity and supporting growth across the area.”

Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport, said: “Since my election to the House of Commons in December 2019, I have been pushing the Government to fund the extension of Manchester’s Metrolink tram network into my constituency of Stockport, and I thank the Secretary of State for Transport, the Chancellor and Transport for Greater Manchester for backing the extension to our town centre.

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“This will be a significant boost for Stockport’s connectivity and local economy, helping people to get to work, school and healthcare appointments more easily and sustainably as well as unlocking new homes and jobs.”

Leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Eleanor Wills, said: “The options being developed to utilise the Denton rail line to expand Metrolink and better connect Ashton to Manchester Airport via Stockport have the potential to be truly transformational.

“The Ashton Mayoral Development Zone is an exciting and vital opportunity to unlock Ashton’s potential, providing new homes and quality jobs. With even better transport links we can set ourselves up to for good growth for many years to come.”

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Roberts, said: “I’ve always said when it comes to MetroLink that it should be “Next Stop Stockport not Last Stop Stockport” to the help deliver the ambition we have -the delivery of Metrolink and improving public transport connectivity across the borough and Greater Manchester is something we can all get behind.”

With Greater Manchester embarking on a decade of good growth, the city region is committed through the Greater Manchester Strategy to developing a transport system for a global city region – with 90% of people within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes.

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Earlier this year, the government awarded Greater Manchester £2.5 billion through Transport for the City Regions funding for a pipeline of projects including a tram line to Stockport and tram-train services connecting Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, new Metrolink stops and modern new interchanges.

The £2.5 billion is part of a package of investment Greater Manchester is seeking to deliver its growth ambitions in full – with the city region seeking to work collaboratively with Government on exploring new funding models for major transport and other infrastructure projects.

Metrolink is already the UK’s largest light rail network, with 99 stops connecting seven of the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. Record numbers of people are also getting onboard, with 45.6million trips made in 2024 – up from 33.5m trips in 2022.

Read more: Manchester Piccadilly to close for NINE days for ‘once-in-a-generation’ upgrade

Featured image: TfGM

Travel & Tourism

What to expect from Sticks’n’Sushi, the giant new restaurant that will have Manchester talking

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Sticks'n'Sushi Manchester

One of the largest restaurant sites in Spinningfields is finally getting the tenant it deserves – Sticks’n’Sushi is heading to Manchester. 

In recent months, we’ve seen giant fish being plastered into the windows of the massive two-storey building, which has been largely vacant since Iberica closed way back in 2020 (apart for those weird moments it became a Christmas bar, and then the Oasis merch store). 

Work is moving at pace to breathe some life and love back into this building, ready for the official launch of Sticks’n’Sushi at the end of this month. 

And the giant fish in the windows give you a good hint of what’s to come, with fresh, quality seafood at the heart of the menus, alongside grilled skewers of meat. 

Sticks’n’Sushi is, contrary to what the menu might suggest, a Danish brand – and one of Denmark’s most successful restaurant names, with a dozen locations across its native country plus restaurants in London, Berlin, Oxford and Cambridge. 

As well as Manchester, Sticks’n’Sushi has revealed plans to open in Leeds, too. It’s a really impressive operation. 

The restaurant started life back in 1994, founded by brothers Kim and Jens Rahbek, and Thor Anderson. The brothers called on their half-Japanese, half-Danish roots to combine culinary traditions from both backgrounds to create their menus. 

Beef tataki at Sticks'n'Sushi
Beef tataki at Sticks’n’Sushi
Shake tataki
Shake tataki
Ebi bites
Ebi bites
Maki, and nagiri
Maki, and nagiri
Sticks'n'Sushi also makes excellent cocktails
Sticks’n’Sushi also makes excellent cocktails
Sashimi Deluxe
Sashimi Deluxe

It’s still a family affair too, with their nephew working in their rooftop Copenhagen restaurant that overlooks the famous Tivoli Gardens. 

When Sticks’n’Sushi lands in Manchester, they want to bring that sleek Scandinavian atmosphere to Spinningfields, along with the precise craftsmanship of Japanese cooking. 

They’re perhaps best-known for their sharing menus, which show off a mix of both sticks and indeed sushi. 

Highlights will include slithers of beef tataki, topped with artichoke chips and miso aioli (the trick to eating this one is to try and fold the beef around the chips). 

The miso-marinated black cod skewers are another popular choice, along with melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu yaki sticks and Shoyu Tebasaki chicken wings. 

House roll highlights include shrimp, gochujang and avocado maki, soft shell crab rolls, and lobster abokado. 

Sticks’n’Sushi Manchester will transform the two-storey corner unit in Spinningfields with glass and timber, with Berlin architects Diener and Diener working on the project.

It’ll also have a sizeable outdoor pergola terrace and bar. 

Bookings are open now HERE ahead of its 30 March launch. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Neighbourhood restaurant slams lack of ‘common decency’ after huge booking no-shows

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Neighbourhood restaurant Anello slams lack of 'common decency' after huge booking no-shows

A neighbourhood restaurant with rave reviews has been forced to speak out and change its booking system after a huge table didn’t show up for their reservation.

Anello, a pizzeria and small plate restaurant, said that it was left with a large empty table for two hours on a busy Saturday night because a group of 10 people failed to honour their booking.

The restaurant, which comes from the original founders of Rudy’s, said they received ‘no call, no email, no notice, no chance of us filling the space’.

They’d accepted the large booking for 10 people with no deposit, which had always been the system in place.

Anello said: “We’ve always wanted to go off trust when taking bookings for tables. It’s common decency to let someone know you’re not coming – right?

“Life is busy and plans change and I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of punishing people financially for that.”

However, losing that amount of potential revenue on a Saturday night when the hospitality is ‘in a state’ has left the business with no choice.

They wrote: “I could bang on and on about the state of the hospitality industry, but we are where we are with that. But with that and the amount of times this has happened, we’re now going to take a booking deposit for groups of 6+.

“Sorry folks. It doesn’t sit quite right but we just don’t have a choice at the moment.”

The Anello team and family outside the restaurant
The Anello team and family outside the restaurant. Credit: Instagram, @anellopizzeria

Anello opened in the heart of Slaithwaite, a pretty town halfway between Manchester and Leeds, back in 2022, taking over a former library.

Not only does it have serious pizza credentials (again – Rudy’s founders Jim Morgan and Kate Wilson are at the helm), but real local produce credentials too.

A lot of the ingredients used at Anello have been grown in their very own kitchen garden, where they also host occasional open days with wood-fired butties.

And as well as Neapolitan pizza, you’ll find excellent seasonal small plates and starters, plus homemade ice cream.

Their necessary change to their reservation policy has been welcomed by customers.

One person commented: “I think that’s fair and reasonable, it’s not on to ghost a small business like that.”

Another said: “That’s so frustrating! Deposits are a great idea – will always happily pay a deposit.”

And someone else wrote: “Sorry to hear this keeps happening. Not sure what sort of bubble of ignorance people exist in to not be considerate to providers. Hope the deposit system helps.”

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Featured image: Instagram, @anellopizzeria

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