Popular South African-inspired restaurant bar Chakalaka NQ has sadly been broken in to over the weekend.
The much-loved independent Northern Quarter hangout – which is known for its eclectic food and drinks menu, and is the only true South African bar and kitchen in Manchester – has seen property damaged and windows smashed during the abhorrent act at its premises on Oldham Street.
The incident is believed to have taken place overnight on Sunday/Monday.
At what is a time of much uncertainty for the hospitality sector as a result of the localised restrictions already in place in Greater Manchester, and in light of what may be announced by the government later today, an act such as this is something we are truly disgusted to see.
To make matters worse, this is not an isolated incident either and comes after a series of recent break-ins at locations in and around the city centre, including a similar incident at independent Ancoats Chinese restaurant Blue Eyed Panda earlier this month.
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It’s clear that hospitality in Manchester needs us more than ever right now.
Our friends @ChakalakaNq were broken into last night. This is one of several hospitality break ins in recent weeks in Manchester city centre. Are these people not going through enough right now? Disgusting behaviour! pic.twitter.com/0Ad3MnRuK2
Taking to social media to share the news of the devastating break in, Chakalaka NQ said: “Gutted this morning to wake up to see we’ve been broken into last night. Fortunately no one was harmed, but it’s rubbish to see this happening, especially in times like this when the hospitality industry is already struggling.
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It continued: We’ll be closed for today, but hope to be up and running again soon… We’ll keep you posted,
Chakalaka NQ has confirmed that while the break in “was awful to see” and it is forced to remain closed for today, it’ll be “back making some banging sausage soon enough”.
That’s what we like to hear.
To do your bit and get behind this local independent business at a time when it really needs it most, you can make a dine-in reservation in advance, or place an order for takeaway via the Chakalaka NQ website here.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and current local lockdown restrictions, Chakalaka NQ is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5pm to 10pm, Saturday from 12pm to 10pm, and on Sunday from 4pm – 10pm.
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Both dine-in and takeaway services with Deliveroo and Uber Eats are available.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have taken its toll on industries of all shapes and sizes over these past few months, but supporting local/independent business has never been more important than it is right now.
The Manc is #BuzzingToBeBack – find out more about eats in Manchester here.
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
Featured Image – Greggs (Supplied)
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A Greater Manchester neighbourhood has been named one of the ‘coolest’ in the UK
Clementine Hall
A neighbourhood in Great Manchester has been crowned one of the coolest in the country – and this time, it’s not Ancoats.
Every year, we wait with bated breath to see which UK neighbourhoods have made the cut in Time Out’s annual ranking of the coolest places in the world.
But, as it turns out, Britain is just so damn cool that we’ve earned a list of our own.
In its latest guide, ’11 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK’, Time Out has rounded up the places across the country that are really making a name for themselves.
Images: The Manc
And one neighbourhood here in Greater Manchester has made the cut, and although you’d immediately think of Ancoats that has made its way to similar lists before, this time there’s a newbie on the block.
Coming in at a very respectable fourth place, Stockport and the Underbanks received a glowing report in the coveted list.
Images: The Manc
Are we surprised? Not one bit.
We love Stockport for its flourishing food scene, cool community vibe and ever-growing roster of independent businesses – not to mention its brilliant mix of old-school charm and new-school cool.
It’s a place that feels like it’s constantly evolving, without losing the character that made people fall in love with it in the first place. And clearly, Time Out agrees.
Images: The Manc
Kyle MacNeill, contributing writer, said: “If you live anywhere near Manchester, you may have heard this one on the rumour mill: ‘Stockport is The New Berlin’. It’s a gag, alright: the humble market town hasn’t got a club, let alone the most hedonistic nightlife scene in the world. But it is true that SK is rapidly becoming the place-to-move-to for the Second City’s creatives, thanks to cheaper rent and some serious suburban tenacity.
“The Underbanks, a cobbled high street once home to hat-makers and hosiers, has been transformed into a bustling hub of forward-thinking vendors, while various local institutions have embraced Euro-style cafe culture, midcentury decor, sustainable fine-dining, small plates snacking and chic drinking dens. All of which, actually, come to think of it, is very Berlin… “
High praise indeed, you can read the full list of the UK’s coolest neighbourhoods here.
Emily Sergeant -
12th October 2020 
