Box on the Docks is returning to the banks of Salford Quays this summer, and there’ll be flowing beers, freshly-baked bagels, and boozy ice cream.
Coming back for its third year in a row, MediaCity’s popular outdoor dining concept, Box on the Docks, is set for another busy summer on the waterside piazza – but for the first time, it will be taking on a brand-new format, as this year’s event will be in partnership with SEVEN BRO7HERS.
The Salford-based brewing company has been put in charge of operate a rotating residency of the region’s emerging and established independent food and drink pop ups.
There’ll also been an exciting lineup of live music and events for all ages.
Kicking off on Friday 10 June, some of the food vendors already on the highly-anticipated lineup include The Tasty Greek, which’ll be serving up classic Greek gyros, while Beigel will be offering freshly-made bagels with new specials each day.
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Leading North West distillery, Four Sis4ers Distillery, will also be on hand to serve tasty tipples using its handcrafted selection of spirits distilled in the heart of Salford Quays.
A Few Scoops will also be popping-up over the summer – an independent local company that’s made a name for itself by taking two of life’s greatest pleasures, ice cream and cocktails, and thrashing them together to make scoops of flavours such as Old Fashioned, a rich and creamy Piña Colada, and so much more.
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SEVEN BRO7HERS – which runs its popular beer house in MediaCity – will also be taking over the Box on the Docks Bar too, on top of curating the rotating traders lineup.
It’ll be offering its award-winning independent beers, along with a selection of guest beers from local craft breweries including Shindigger, Manchester Union Lager, and Pomona, as well as programming regular live music and events within the piazza.
“This year’s Box on the Docks is set to be the best yet,” said Keith McAvoy, CEO of SEVEN BRO7HERS.
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“The partnership gives SEVEN BRO7HERS an opportunity to make the most of the summer footfall and visitors, and to do what we do best – celebrate great food and drink in the heart of Salford.
“MediaCity has been home to our beerhouse for 12 months, and despite challenges the pandemic has thrown at us, it continues to thrive [so] we can’t wait to expand into the Box on the Docks bar and welcome the whole site into the family this summer.”
This year’s event will be in partnership with Salford-based brewing company, SEVEN BRO7HERS / Credit: Box on the Docks
“There’s a real buzz of excitement as we look forward to another summer of Box on the Docks,” added Josie Cahill – Place Director at MediaCity UK.
“The concept was born from a need to support our local hospitality partners and we are thrilled it has continued to prove such a successful platform for independents on our doorstep and visitors to MediaCity [so] we’re excited to be partnering with the SEVEN BRO7HERS team, who will bring a host of fantastic new food and drink pop ups for visitors and residents alike.”
This summer, Box on the Docks will be partnering with the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, with all money raised being donated towards A Bed Every Night, while the Salford Foodbank’s Gift Box also continues to accept food donations that’ll be distributed to local families in need.
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And if all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, there’s still more to be announced over the coming weeks, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – Box on the Docks
Salford
Salford Red Devils issue statement after being ordered to sell players by Rugby Football League
Danny Jones
Local rugby league side Salford Red Devils have been ordered to sell players by the RFL in an effort to meet financial sustainability regulations amid speculation over new investment.
The RFL (Rugby Football League) has declared that the Red Devils must reduce their salary cap after already putting them under special measures late last year, as doubts surrounding commercial revenue streams and gaps in their finances led to them being given an advance to cover their costs.
With their books having been under a microscope, the club have now been told they have to trim £800,000 from their total overheads, meaning players must be let go as soon as possible ahead of the new Super League season.
Squad members Marc Sneyd, Tim Lafai, Deon Cross and Kallum Watkins have all been linked with moves away and Salford had already made five new off-season signings; they also revealed that they received offers for players before anyone had to be sold. Safe to say their future is as uncertain as the club’s.
With a group of Australian investors said to be in talks to be brought into the club, it is believed the takeover will happen but sustainability issues must be resolved first. Salford Red Devils have been fan-owned since 2018 but a lot of criticism has been levelled at CEO Paul King in recent years.
The RFL order to sell players has understandably sparked frustration among an already concerned fan base. Subsequently, the Devils have now shared a lengthy statement responding to reports.
“Over recent months, there has been repeated media speculation on the Club’s financial position”, it begins. “We have purposefully maintained a level of silence since our last statement, not out of avoidance, but out of necessity due to the sensitive nature of our ongoing discussions with potential investors.
“Our discretion has been to maintain and ensure the integrity of those discussions, bound by Non-Disclosure Agreements, and to protect our Club, players and staff.”
It goes on to explain that the takeover prospects are still alive and well, though many details are still unable to be disclosed. One thing that is clear is that the club must sell players “without delay” in order to fall under the issued sustainability cap of £1.2 million, adding, “Until we reach that, we are now prohibited from registering players for the upcoming season
They also clarified that advance funds were handled solely by the RFL themselves, not misspent or directed to specific areas by the club. Regardless, there is a lot of frustration and disappointment among the supporters, with many simply questioning, “Where has all the money gone?”.
Another person wrote: “Not one bit of accountability from yourselves, seems like it’s everyone else’s fault. I do hope you survive for your fans, but your club has been mismanaged now for nearly a decade.”
Also the board, which is made up of good people that will be genuinely devastated that on their watch and management the club is going through this.
Salford Community Stadium is also now operated by the City Council as of 13 December 2024 and they are hoping to discuss ways to help it drive revenue soon now the new year is well underway. It is also shared by fellow Super League side, Sale Sharks.
On the other hand, a subsidy grant from the Council was expected to arrive and assist with funding for the year ahead, but it was ultimately deemed to be unavailable back in November, adding yet further financial pressure.
The club go on to add that they “empathise and understand the frustration of our fans and are deeply sorry to reach this position” but for many the worry won’t subside until the takeover is complete.
It is believed that a total of three different bidders had come in to potentially buy the club by the end of last year, but the current consortium is now seemingly waiting for the current setup to remedy the present situation before pulling the trigger.
Put simply, it’s all a bit messy but the club have assured a light is at the end of the tunnel.
Police appeal for witnesses after possible attempted kidnap of 11-year-old girl in Irlam
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information and witnesses has been issued following the possible attempted kidnap of an 11-year-old girl in Irlam.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 8:30am yesterday (14 January 2025), the young girl – who was walking to school at the time – reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street in Irlam, close to the junction of Cutnook Lane.
It is believed the pair had been driving in the area in a car and a van, according to police.
The two then grabbed hold of the girl, before she was able to run away and later inform an adult of what had happened.
The male the police are hoping to gain information on is described as white, approximately 5ft 9 inches tall, with short dark hair and clean-shaven, and he was wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie at the time, while the female is described as white, and was wearing leggings and a black hoodie.
The car is described as a black four-door vehicle, while the van was small, white, and new-looking and with a sliding door.
#APPEAL | Detectives are appealing for information after a girl was approached and grabbed in Salford.
At around 8.30am today, an 11-year-old girl walking to school reported being approached by a male and female on Silver Street, Irlam.
In the interest of public safety while police are currently investigating the incident, extra officers have been deployed to the local area for reassurance as their enquiries continue, GMP has confirmed.
Appealing to the public, officers are also asking anyone who lives in the area to check for any relevant dashcam, CCTV, or doorbell footage from around the time of the incident, and anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious is also asked to contact police.
“This is of course a concerning and distressing incident and I would like to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to investigate the circumstances,” explained Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from GMP’s Salford district.
“We are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed something or has footage from around the time of the incident, and we would urge anyone with any information to please get in touch, as your assistance could be greatly beneficial to our work.
“We are ensuring that the girl and the family are being kept-up-to date and supported at this time.”
Information can be passed on to 101 or via the GMP Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1205 of 14/01/25, or alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Emily Sergeant -
19th May 2022 
