The owners of a new restaurant and bar soon set to open in Chorlton have appealed to thieves to return plants stolen from boxes outside the front of the premises.
Following the success of its Wilmslow branch, which opened doors in 2017, Suburban Green – a popular “urban retreat” restaurant and bar specialising in “a carefully crafted small plates menu, classic cocktails, craft beers and fine wines” – is set to open on Beech Road in the Manchester suburb of Chorlton in the new year.
But sadly, the currently-under-construction premises has seen thieves – who’s identity is currently unknown – dig up and steal a number of plants sitting in wooden planters outside the front of the restaurant.
Now, the owners are appealing to the thieves to “return what’s not theirs”.
Taking to social media to share news of the “heartbreaking sight” and ask thieves to return the stolen plants on the Chorlton Facebook group, Sinead O’Donnell – whose husband and business partner are the owners of Suburban Green – wrote: “This is a heartbreaking sight after all the investment of love, time, effort and finance that my husband and his business partner have but into Suburban Green, Beech Road.
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“Not only are they challenged by the current restrictions to hospitality businesses but also by someone who wants to take – what’s not theirs.”
The post in the group – which has over 40K active members – has since gone on to amass hundreds of interactions, shares and comments from people all across the Chorlton community and throughout Greater Manchester, sharing in the owners’ devastation at the abhorrent act, as well as sending messages of support to the local, independent business at a time when it truly needs it most.
In light of the recent changes to Christmas plans announced by the UK government this past weekend, the owners of Suburban Green also went on to send out a message of support to the community, encouraging the public to unite and “support each other”, as well as “forgive those that make mistakes”.
They also urged those who stole the plants to “restore faith in humanity” by returning them.
Sinead continued: “Let’s continue to support each other, watch out for each other, care for one another and give to those who are struggling more than ourselves and forgive those that make mistakes.
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“Whoever’s taken these plants – please return them.
“That would restore my faith in the good that’s in us all and provide a touch of magic this (grim looking) Christmas.”
You can find more information ahead of the grand Chorlton opening via the Suburban Green website here, and you can also follow Suburban Green on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates.
Suburban Green Chorlton, 60 Beech Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 9EG
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Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK – this is why
Emily Sergeant
A list of the top 10 most affordable cities in the UK has been revealed, and Manchester has made the cut for one very specific reason.
On a bit of a budget? Aren’t we all.
The cost of living crisis has been raging on for quite a few years now, and unfortunately, despite how much we all wish for it to, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down – with prices for everyday items, especially typical fridge and cupboard stables, shooting up by the day, even though supermarkets are showing efforts to prevent it.
And it’s the noticeable price increases in groceries that led delivery insurance provider, Street Cover, to uncover which UK cities don’t strain your food shopping budgets too much just yet.
As it was found that food and non-alcoholic drinks inflation reached 1.3% this past summer, a new study has revealed that Sheffield is officially the most affordable city in the UK, with several other northern locations on the list.
Manchester has been named one of the most ‘affordable’ cities in the UK / Credit: MCC | Aldi
The study compared the 2026 Grocery Index for the largest UK cities with the UK average, as well as available 2025 Grocery Indices, to track the changes in food affordability.
The cities are ranked by the index difference from the national average – which is 67.3 – but the report also uses direct monetary values for a grocery basket to provide some additional context too.
Manchester took sixth place on the list, with an average grocery basket price of £23.08, while some of the other northern cities in the top 10, besides Sheffield at number one, include Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle.
Top 10 Most Affordable UK Cities For Groceries
Sheffield
Milton Keynes
Liverpool
Reading
Newcastle
Manchester
Leeds
Bristol
Cardiff
Southampton
As the only other North West city in the top 10, Liverpool may have come in third place overall, but the study found that the grocery bill here is the smallest in terms of actual monetary numbers – with it setting shoppers back £22.08 for a regular supermarket basket, which is a whole £1 cheaper than in Manchester.
“Data shows households in the North East of England have the lowest average food spend in the country, around 11% below the UK average, while Yorkshire sits 6.6% below,” Al Taylor, who is the Head of Street Cover, commented on the study’s findings.
“Sheffield’s position at the top reflects lower property costs for retailers, less competition from premium chains, and a supermarket landscape dominated by value-led options.
“The practical implication for household budgets is significant – the difference between budget and premium shopping can easily be £1,000 or more per year for a family, which can be spent on other things or saved for future plans.”
Featured Image – Aldi
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Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’
Emily Sergeant
Call yourself a clever clogs? The BBC is currently looking for contestants to take part in what is widely considered the hardest quiz show on TV.
That’s right – Only Connect is back for another series on BBC Two.
Presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell and first broadcast all the way back in 2008, Only Connect takes TV quizzing to the next level, as it sees two teams compete against each other by finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues.
In this quiz show – which viewers have dubbed one of the most challenging there is – knowledge only takes you so far, as the ability to think laterally is also deemed ‘vitally important’.
A casting call for the upcoming 2027 series has been shared on the BBC website, with people from Greater Manchester encouraged to apply.
Mancs wanted to take part in a new series of the ‘hardest quiz show on TV’ / Credit: BBC
The casting call reads: “The popular BBC Two quiz show presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell returns for a new series in 2027.
“Only Connect is seeking teams of three players OR single applicants or teams of two looking for like-minded teammates to pool their combined wits to solve fiendish conundrums and vexing puzzles.
“This is the quiz series where, as in life itself, knowledge will only take you so far: patience and lateral thinking are also vital. It’s all about making connections between things which may appear, at first glance, not to be connected at all.”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Applications are now open, and all applicants must be aged 18 or over and a resident in the UK or Channel Islands.
Emily Sergeant -
21st December 2020 
