Four-legged friends of Manchester are in for a real treat as a popular dog salon and boutique is set to open at one of the city’s newest neighbourhoods.
Opening up at KAMPUS, The Barkside is looking to be a “one-stop-shop for city-dwelling dogs”, with a grooming salon, and a shop stocking The Barkside’s signature street-fashion, own brand of nutritious foods, luxury grooming products, and quality accessories arriving at the new rental community.
That’s not all either, as pups will also get to let their hair down with doggy mud baths – which is known to be a usual de-shedding treatment – and frothy puppuccinos, so they don’t miss out on the cafe culture KAMPUS is fast-becoming known for.
Unfamiliar with The Barkside?
First opening as a day care back in 2013, owners Elkie, Leah, and Lauren – along with their team – have gone from strength to the strength, and have since opened a doggy day care, salon, and shop on Travis St in Manchester, and in Heaton Chapel in Stockport – both of which now have a lengthy waiting list of would-be clients.
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The Barkside’s permanent stay at KAMPUS comes after the company has been hosting monthly pop-up events at the neighbourhood – which has plenty of pet-friendly apartments.
“Dog friendly communities like Kampus are leading the way,” says Elkie Davies – founder of The Barkside.
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“Other renters across Manchester are no longer banned from having pet companions and tonnes of people are working and spending more time at home [so] it’s meant that whether you love Dachshunds or Dobermans, you can have a place in the city centre and experience the pure joy of having a dog in your life.
“We fell in love with the space and garden at KAMPUS and can’t wait to bring The Barkside to the neighbourhood alongside a load of independent businesses.
“We’ve been turning customers away because the demand for quality grooming and daycare in Manchester is so high [so] it’ll be awesome to bringing top-notch products, pampering and puppuccinos to our expanded puppy family.”
The Barkside is the latest independent venture to arrive at KAMPUS, and joins Manchester favourites Pollen bakery and General Stores, alongside the recently-opened Nell’s Pizza & Bar, wine bar Beeswing, and recently-announced Cloudwater Brewery.
The Barkside is looking to be a “one-stop-shop for city-dwelling dogs” / Credit: Instagram (@thebarksidemcr)
The KAMPUS neighbourhood is being developed by HBD and Capital&Centric.
Speaking on The Barkside’s arrival, Adam Brady from HBD, said: “We’re a friendly and diverse neighbourhood and the indie businesses joining our community reflect that ethos.
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“That welcome extends to our four-legged friends and the army of dogs that now call KAMPUS home, with a dog-walking services for residents, and The Barkside joining the community means people will be able to drop their dog for a grooming session have a coffee and pastry at Pollen while they wait.”
Featured Image – KAMPUS / The Barkside
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What is going to be included in the UK’s under-16s social media ban?
Emily Sergeant
In case you missed the landmark announcement yesterday, it has been confirmed that social media is to be banned for under-16s in the UK.
That’s right – in what is said to be a bid to ‘give kids their childhood back’ and set ‘a new normal’ for future generations by kickstarting a cultural shift, the Government has announced that social media platforms will be banned from offering their services to under-16s – meaning less time for scrolling and more time for play.
The Government says it plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia, which was introduced back in 2024.
But what exactly does that mean? And what social media platforms are set to be included within the upcoming ban and which ones aren’t?
We are giving children their childhoods back.
Social media platforms will be blocked from offering services to under 16s.
We’re setting a new normal for future generations and empowering parents who just want to do their best for their kids. pic.twitter.com/ez0fLZiwcG
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) June 15, 2026
Well, according to the Government and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, the UK’s ban would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction, allow users to post their own material, alongside algorithms.
The ban will, therefore, include popular social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
But crucially, at this time, it is not intended for messaging services like WhatsApp to be included.
The Government says it is also planning to go even further than any other country, as on top of a blanket ban on social media, world-leading blocks on harmful functions – such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children – will also be blocked for under-16s, and will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites.
The Government has announced a social media ban for under 16s / Credit: Julian Christ (via Unsplash)
Restrictions on these functionalities will also be on by default for 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent what ministers are calling a ‘cliff-edge’ at 16.
And to go even further, the Government says it will be ‘looking in more detail’ at the potential to introduce overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under 18 – with more information to be provided on this next month.
“This is a decisive first step which marks a clear choice to put children’s wellbeing first and give them a healthy life online,” the Government said in a statement. “We stand ready to take further measures in the future.”
Speaking on the upcoming ban and further restrictions, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever.
“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.
“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.
“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”
Featured Image – Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)
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Olivia Rodrigo says ‘very inspiring’ Manchester is one of her favourite places in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Olivia Rodrigo has named some of her favourite places in the UK… and it’s good news for Manchester.
If you weren’t aware, the global pop superstar has a bit of an affinity for the UK, having spent a lot of time over here in recent years – particularly in London – and developing a love for some of our nation’s finest delicacies in the process, like M&S fan-favourite sweet treats Percy Pigs and Colin the Caterpillar, as well as Jaffa Cakes, Cadbury, sausage rolls, and plenty more.
And it’s fair to say that she’s once again proven herself to be a somewhat of an honorary Brit during the recent promotional tour for her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love – which released to the world last Friday (12 June).
In a recent interview with Hits Radio UK, Olivia was asked where some of her favourite places in the UK are, other than London… and it was good news for our city.
I mean, not that ‘good’… she’s still not chosen to bring her upcoming ‘The Unraveled Tour’ over to us this next time around in 2027, opting to just stay in London for more than a dozen nights instead, but it seems she’s keen to show Manchester some love regardless.
When asked if she has a favourite area of the UK, Olivia said: “I spent some time in Manchester which was really nice. Very inspiring, so many great bands from there. I spent some time in Wales too, which was fun. I’ve been around but I need to go and see more things.”
She then went on to add: “I really want to go to Leeds this year. I think that’ll be fun. Just like as a spectator, I think that’ll be cool.”
It’s not the first time Olivia has publicly spoken about Manchester either, as in another recent interview with Dazed Magazine, she claimed she’s the ‘best version of [herself]’ in the UK.
“Maybe it’s because it rains so much that all you want to do is be inside with the guitar and write. I spent some time in Manchester a few years ago and it was so rainy I was like, ‘No wonder so many great bands come out of Manchester’,” she concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2022 
