Manchester has always been a resilient city of tight-knit communities, but nothing has proved that more than what we’ve been faced with over the last year.
It almost feels redundant to say at this point, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has done just about everything to flip life as we once knew it on its head since the first national lockdown was imposed across England towards the end of March 2020.
And since then, our region hasn’t had it easy.
In addition to the three national lockdowns, Greater Manchester has been hit with some of the toughest restrictions for longer than anywhere else in the country, with sectors shut down for significant periods of time and strict social-distancing measures remaining place in most public and social settings, but still, despite all the obstacles presented and the hardships faced, Mancunians stuck together and showed their fighting spirit.
The brilliant people of this brilliant region sought to help out the most vulnerable and less fortunate in our communities.
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It’s shown us that the power of charity has never been stronger.
Which is why one Manchester-born and bred creative agency wants to lend a hand and offer its services to those local charities looking to get their feet off the ground and “transform their online presence” to reach a wider audience by running a competition that gives two initiatives / organisations the chance to have a custom-designed website built for free.
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Convertaroo is an award-winning creative agency based right here in the heart of Manchester city centre.
Founded in 2016, with “Manchester our home but the world our canvas”, Convertaroo offers website design, social media management and digital advertising to maximise brands’ online presence, with the main goal of helping businesses reach their true potential, no matter what field they are in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCAj7A6gPWR/
“Our portfolio spans from Cheshire to Hollywood, but Manchester is always home.” Convertaroo’s Creative Director, Omar James Thompson, told us.
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“Many of our fellow Mancunians depend on the help and support from local charity organisations.
“As a creative agency, we know how vital an online presence is to get noticed, but we also understand that, right now, it’s something that small charities can’t afford or prioritise, so we are looking to help two local charities spread their message further with a brand new website design and build, completely for free.
He continued: “Since last March, we’ve been amazed with how our community has reacted to the lockdowns, [so] we’ve been looking for a way to help Manchester [and] this seemed like the obvious way to do so – help the charities grow their online presence to keep providing that essential support.
“Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to give something back to our city”.
And for a charity to be in with the chance of winning one of the free custom-built websites on offer, all they need to do is be nominated, or even nominate themselves.
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It’s as simple as that.
“We are looking for two small charities or organisations that help provide benefit and support to our fellow Mancunians.” Omar continued.
“Whether it’s a food bank organisation, mental health support, single parent groups or anything in between, the main rule of entry is that you provide support within our city, that’s all we ask, so please don’t hesitate to nominate, even if you’re not sure whether your chosen nominee fits the criteria”.
Keen to nominate a Greater Manchester charity into this exciting giveaway? Head to the Convertaroo website here.
The winners are planned to be announced at the end of March.
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You can also find out more information about Covertaroo and the services provided here, as well as keep up to date with the company on Instagram.
The Cut and Craft are hosting a bottomless Boxing Day brunch this year
Danny Jones
This holiday season, The Cut and Craft are hosting an extra lavish take on their usual bottomless brunch on Boxing Day.
Suddenly, we’re looking forward to 26 December maybe even more than our mam’s Christmas dinner…
Yes, the much-loved steak and seafood restaurant is already well-known for one of the best bottomless brunches in Manchester, not to mention evening meals, but they always elevate things even further over the festive period.
Promising top ingredients, the best booze labels you could ask for, as well as stunning service in an even more stunning room, you can’t go wrong if you’re looking to make the most of your toasts this Boxing Day – and don’t worry, vegetarians: there are some great options for you, too.
Typically held over a long weekend, The Cut and Craft bank holiday bottomless brunch will be held for the last time this year on the final Friday of 2025. You couldn’t ask for more perfect timing than that.
The group have transformed the beautiful room in the heart of the city into what they’ve dubbed “a scene straight out of Miracle on 34th Street.
Adorned with grand wreaths, the reliable warmth of twinkling fairy lights, stockings hanging in front of the fire in ‘The Gossip Room’, plus Santa guarding the wine cellar, the only thing more inviting than the space is the menu.
Besides the usual 90 minutes of non-stop Moët & Chandon champagne, as well as DJs, live entertainment and dancers, the food offerings include flat iron steak and chips served on a hot stone with a grilled tomato and signature salt.
If you prefer something to steer away from the red meat/have already had plenty over Christmas, you can go for grilled seabass with Duchess potatoes, gremolata, hazelnut and cauliflower sauce, OR opt for the halloumi fajitas packed with roasted peppers and onions, guacamole, salsa and chive sour cream.
You can even load these up even further with the addition of free-range British chicken breast, rump steak (if you change your mind on the day), and even king prawns.
We’re almost drooling just thinking about all this – as are our mates from The Hoot after confirming the same promotion is available at their equally gorgeous sites over in Leeds.
Veggie options are Cut & Craft’s ‘Redefine Flank Steak & Chips’ (tender flank-style cut of plant-based steak), or spicy cauliflower wings, served with broad beans, English garden peas, buckwheat, baby gem, baby spinach, broccoli couscous, toasted cashews, pistachio crumb, and maple-mustard dressing.
Once again, all of this can be tweaked here and there by the exceptional waiting staff; for instance, if you’d rather wine than champers, you can always swap the bubbly for Whispering Angel Rosé, which will be served straight from their limitless fountain.
Guests who fancy visiting Cut and Craft for Boxing Day 2025 can choose between a bar table with unlimited Whispering Angel drinks only from just £55, or go all out with a restaurant table and a dish from the set brunch menu starting from £75.
The full Moët fizz upgrade package will set you back £100, if you’re really looking to indulge yourself this year, and who could blame you? It’s a long, old winter, after all.
If you’re interested in securing your seat at 38-42 Mosley St, bookings are available from 1pm onwards, and you can reserve your table right HERE.
Stockport County release second drop in retro range as classic ‘Romania’ shirt is revived
Danny Jones
Stockport County FC have released the latest drop in their collection of retro football kits and casualwear, resurrecting the legendary ‘Romania’ shirt as the centrepiece of the new range of old school casualwear.
If you’re a die-hard Hatter, we don’t need to tell what jersey we mean or how iconic it is within the club’s rich heritage.
We are, of course, talking about the 1996/97 third strip that County players and Stockport supporters alike donned in their droves during their historic EFL Cup run.
Teaming with local town centre hotspots SK1 Records and Underbank bar, The Spin Off, for an official launch event, here’s how they debuted it to the public:
It’s anyone’s guess as to which throwback fit they’ll go with next or whether they’ll simply complete the 96/97 revival, but it’s safe to say that both have gone down a treat with the local community.
Revolving around the bright and unforgettable yellow, blue and red jersey itself – the shirt that County had to swap into before they went on to knockout then-established Premier League side Blackburn Rovers away at Ewood Park – the colourway is just as bold as ever.
Here’s a closer look at the second County Classics kit:
It’s no surprise that just like the previous instalment, replicas have been snapped up in no time, as indeed has their current third kit for the 2025/26 campaign, which also pays homage to their history.
Dave Challinor’s side hosts Stevenage Town at Edgeley Park this Saturday, 13 December, before taking on Mansfield away the following weekend – you can expect a fair few Hatters to be wearing the third strip (both the original and the re-issue) at each.
You can see more from this second edition in the County Classic range down below; all of the items are now on sale, and find out how much each piece from the full collection costs HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd February 2021 
