Just in case you need a little reminder, Valentine’s Day isn’t so far off now.
In just under a month’s time, couples all over the world will be marking the international day of love with the people they care about the most, and for those who are keen to celebrate in style, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that its special ‘Valentine’s Night’ luxury dining experiences are back once again by popular demand.
This means that lovebirds can hop on-board a vintage steam train and enjoy a four-course meal while riding through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside as the sun sets.
Part of ELR’s ongoing – and massively-popular – ‘Dining with Distinction’ series, which runs all throughout the year, these Valentine’s Night luxury dining experiences are promising to provide couples with an “elegant” and “atmospheric” evening as they travel through the Irwell Valley and raise a toast to each other to celebrate their love.
East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Valentine’s Night’ dining experiences are back by popular demand / Credit: ELR
This romantic experience is on board a pullman-style steam train carriage, with polished panelling and luxurious seating.
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Priced at £79 per person – or just £280 for a table of four, if you fancy taking your ‘Galentines’ instead -all guests will have a personal waiter or waitress for the evening, who’ll make sure everything is taken care of everything, from the Prosecco welcome, right through to the after-dinner chocolates.
Once couples board their train for the evening, their welcome drink will be accompanied by a live music reception to set the mood, all before they sit down to enjoy and tuck into a mouthwatering four-course meal.
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The train journey lasts just under three hours, and all dietary requirements can be catered for.
Tickets are now on sale from £79 per person / Credit: ELR
“The Valentine’s night Dining with Distinction experience is one that every couple can enjoy,” admitted Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway.
“It’s great to see so many new memories being made, and couples celebrating the day with something uniquely different, especially as our volunteers work extremely hard to ensure that every couple has the Valentine’s Day of their dreams.”
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
Bangkok Diners Club moves out of Ancoats just months after Michelin Guide win
Daisy Jackson
Bangkok Diners Club, the critically-acclaimed restaurant above the Edinburgh Castle pub, has closed its restaurant space.
The Thai restaurant was added to the Michelin Guide last October, not long after taking over the upstairs of the popular pub.
It also received a rave review in The Guardian from restaurant critic Grace Dent, who said it would be ‘one of Manchester’s hottest dining tickets’.
But now Bangkok Diners Club has decided its time in Ancoats is up, and has closed its beautiful restaurant space with immediate effect.
In an email sent to customers with reservations, they wrote that Bangkok Diners Club ‘sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle’.
Owners and husband-and-wife team Ben and Bo Humpheys aren’t leaving things there though, announcing plans to move into the Exhibition food hall on Peter Street.
Co-owner Ben Humphreys outside Bangkok Diners Club. Credit: The Manc GroupThe food earned them a place in the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
They’ll be joining MoreJoy and pasta concept Anatra in the space, but bidding farewell to their own dedicated restaurant for now.
The email sent to customers reads: “We have just noticed that the system has allowed you to make a reservation during a time that we are closed. We apologise that this has happened.
“Ben and Bo are cooking at Exhibition during 2026 and Bangkok Diners Club sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle.
“Sincerest apologies for all the inconvenience caused.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th January 2024 
