A huge vegan market is coming to Manchester this winter, bringing over 80 stalls to Trafford’s Bowlers Exhibition Centre.
Taking place at the huge exhibition centre later this month, the market will showcase the best of the vegan lifestyle with hot and cold food stalls, cookbooks, lifestyle products and more.
Those looking for gift ideas ahead of Christmas will find a host of different products at hand, ranging from organic, natural skincare and cosmetic products to ethical and environmental clothing.
Stalls will be packed with products that you just can’t find at supermarkets, mixing delicious vegan food products to eat on the day and to take home for your cupboards.
Elsewhere, there’ll be inspirational charities and organisations at hand to talk about the work that they’re doing including Miracle’s Mission, a non-profit animal welfare organisation that works with sick, injured and disabled animals worldwide.
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Street food available on the day will include traditional Ethiopian curries served on injera bread from Manchester’s own House of Habesha, alongside vegan kebabs from British Street Food Awards 2020/2021 Finalist Seitan’s Kebab, and cooked-to-order hot dogs courtesy of VDogs.
Salford’s DevilDog sauces will on hand with their tasty range of chilli sauces, whilst Manchester-based Gillie Foods will be in attendance with their delicious range of Asian dishes. Elsewhere, you’ll find Kind Hearted Chocs selling a delicious selection of locally-made vegan chocolates.
Other local stalls due to appear on the day include itreatskin, which sells 100% natural products for eczema, acne, psoriasis, and plain-and-simple dry skin; Northern Lashe, an eco-friendly company providing handmade vegan lash products; and the Sea Moss Elixir, a local drinks brand that produces herbal healing and vital nutrient-filled beverages.
Salford-based Saco Superfoods, which works directly with small-scale women producers in West Africa, will also be at the event selling a range of superfoods including Organic Mango, Baobab Powder, Hibiscus Flower and Ginger Flakes.
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As for those looking for vegan cooking inspiration, they’ll want to keep their eyes peeled for the Bo’s Book stall – a new vegan cookbook that makes a great Christmas gift and features simple, easy-to-follow recipes (for both dogs and humans!) with all the profits going to help needy dogs at animal welfare and education charity Miracle’s Mission.
Taking place on Sunday 20 November from 1030am to 430pm at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Trafford Park, entry is just £5 with all funds from tickets going to support animals in need.
Under sixteens can enter for free, and there is also a £15 VIP ticket option available to purchase in advance fro Eventbrite which will guarantee fast track entry on the day, as well as a goody bag full of vegan products, samples, discounts and offers.
Crown and Kettle set to take over another former Northern Quarter bar
Danny Jones
The team behind beloved Ancoats pub The Crown and Kettle have announced that they are set to take over another former bar and restaurant location in nearby Northern Quarter.
We were gutted to see the old place go, but at least we can’t think of many better to take over the unit.
The historic watering hole on the corner of Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street is said to have stood in that spot since the 18th century, but now the present owners have confirmed they’ll be taking on a third venue, having also opened The Rat and Pigeon back in June 2024.
Many of you may have been to one or multiple of its previous iterations of the site in question over the years, but most recently, it was the Calcio sports bar – and soon it’ll become ‘The Badger’.
Revealing the news online last week, Crown and Kettle wrote: “We’re delighted to announce that our new pub, The Badger, arrives on Dale Street this spring!
“Once home to Calcio, Allotment & Nickelbys, this beautiful old building first served as The Haunch of Venison public house back in the early 1800s. Over the past few months, we’ve been hard at work, quietly bringing it back to life & returning it to its roots as a community pub.
“With The Badger, we’ve set out to create the kind of place we love most, warm, welcoming, full of character, with all the charm of a great countryside pub in the heart of the city.
“Expect cosy corners, traditional pub foods, fine ales & the warmest of welcomes. Made for regulars. Open to all. Worth returning to. We can’t wait to welcome you to your new city centre local. GET SET(T)…” Oh, very good indeed.
We visited Calcio many times over the past couple of years, both for work and pleasure in our own free time; it was a great place to watch the footy, enjoy some matchday scran and roll back the years with retro videogames.
As mentioned, though, not only did it used to be one of multiple Allotment vegan and vegetarian eateries in Greater Manchester – thankfully, their presence still remains in multiple buildings – but it has a past long before that which many people bring up on social media.
Insert, “I remember when…’ post.
While we might not know much about what they have in store for this next chapter, knowing how much we love their current city centre favourites, we’re very excited.
As it stands, we’re also yet to hear anything about a more precise opening date, but at least we know it’s coming sometime soon, and we have every faith they’re going to smash it.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd November 2022 
