Boroughs

Inside The Martlet, Rochdale Town Hall’s new restaurant with a northern twist

What a treat!

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 25th September 2024

The newest restaurant in Rochdale, The Martlet, is finally here, taking up a corner of the Rochdale Town Hall, and it’s being backed by some well-known names.

The much-anticipated restaurant has a smart menu packed with classic northern dishes, sourced locally, like Jackson’s rag pudding, and bacon chop with Bury Black Pudding and Denshaw egg.

The Martlet restaurant has opened in the heart of Rochdale town centre, in the multi-million pound renovated Rochdale Town Hall, which fully opened to the public for the first time in its 150-year history back in March.

And inside the stunning space, guests aren’t just treated to tasty delights, but visual delights too, with artwork adorning the eatery’s grand walls.

The Martlet is offering everything from seafood and meat and veggie dishes, sure to go down a treat with everyone who pops in to visit.

The leading powerhouses behind this remarkable venture are renowned chef Tristan Welch and award-winning chef Darren Parkinson, who have expertly crafted the menu for the establishment taking careful consideration of its location.

Parkinson has previously worked at restaurants not too far away in Halifax including Shibden Mill and The Fleece Inn, growing up in Heywood less than 15 minutes away from where The Martlet is situated.

Eager-eyed sweet-treat lovers may notice a familiar favourite from Grandpa Greene, a local ice cream parlour based in Delph, whose soft serve delicacy will definitely be a favourite with all dining guests.

The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
Beef wellington (Front) and Cauliflower steak (Back) at The Martlet.
The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
Espresso martinis on hand at The Martlet.
The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall
A lovely trio of Grandpa Greene’s finest ice cream.
Inside The Martlet, the new restaurant at Rochdale Town Hall

There are a multitude of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink choices with standouts being the aptly-named ‘Peregrine’ whisky, named after the resident birds that have been nesting in the eye-catching clock tower since 2008. 

Rochdale’s newest fine dining restaurant is named after a mythical bird, one which is featured in imagery of the town over the years and even on the borough’s coat of arms.

The Martlet holds a respectable 70 guests with its seating arrangements spread across a range of booths and tables.

A two course meal at this new food spot is £30 and those who are feeling a little more peckish can tempt their tastebuds to three courses for only £35.

The restaurant is a multifunctional space, so from 10am until 4pm on Monday to Fridays, it’s providing guests with a café luxe day-time menu and afternoon teas, which stay true to the dining destination’s northern roots.

Visitors wanting to enjoy The Martlet can come down on Friday and Saturday evenings from 27 September and will be greeted to a luxurious menu utilising local produce in its exquisite recipes.

Read more

Featured Image: Supplied

Boroughs

Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network progress after £6m funding boost

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant A Metrolink tram in Manchester city centre

Plans for new tram and train connections across Greater Manchester have taken a big step forward after a £6m funding boost.

Last month, Mayor Andy Burnham and local council leaders pledged for 90% of people in Greater Manchester to be within a five-minute walk of a bus or tram that comes at least every 30 minutes by 2030 – and now, plans to deliver this strategy are one step closer to becoming reality thanks to significant investment.

Transport leaders have now confirmed a pipeline of ‘rapid transit’ schemes for the future.

£6 million of funding was signed-off by the Bee Network Committee earlier last week, following plans being discussed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The work is all part of a wider plan, known as the Greater Manchester Strategy, to link every borough in Greater Manchester up the Metrolink network – with a long-term plan for major expansion of the Bee Network.

This funding boost comes after it was confirmed in early June that trams would finally be making their way to Stockport after long-time rumours.

Plans to expand Greater Manchester’s tram network have progressed after a £6m funding boost / Credit: TfGM

Some of the major projects this £6m funding will pay for advancing planning towards include finalising strategies for extending the Metrolink to Stockport from East Didsbury this autumn, with construction to begin in 2030, and beginning strategy work on the completion of the Metrolink Airport Line ‘Western Leg’ – which would serve a number of ‘key growth areas’ at the Airport, Wythenshawe Hospital, and Davenport Green.

Another important project the funding will go towards is the preparation of the Strategic Outline Case for expanding Metrolink connections to Salford Crescent and Salford Quays, and out to the north west of the region – including potential options for links to Leigh, Wigan, and Bolton.

Work will also continue on plans for an Oldham-Rochdale-Heywood-Bury tram-train route too – with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says its leaders are aiming for construction on the scheme to begin in 2028.

Mayor Andy Burnham says the funding with help connect all 10 boroughs to the Metrolink / Credit: TfGM

Even more importantly, early development work on plans for the recently-proposed new underground system can start thanks to the funding boost.

“Every part of our region needs to feel the benefits of Greater Manchester’s growth,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.

“To make sure that happens, we’ve pledged to connect our people and communities to new opportunities better than ever before.

“We’re planning to connect all 10 boroughs to the ever-popular Metrolink network as part of a long-term, sustained expansion of the Bee Network.

Read more:

“This latest funding means we can develop the case for a pipeline of both tram and tram-train new lines and extensions – and ultimately underground infrastructure in the city centre – to make sure we get a public transport system befitting the global city region we are.”

Featured Image – Janus Boye

Boroughs

Rochdale to become colourful canvas as internationally-acclaimed artists bring mural festival to town

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Some of the world’s best artists will descend on Rochdale soon, creating beautiful artwork on buildings and turning Rochdale town centre into a huge urban art gallery.

The ‘Common Walls’ International Mural Festival will give Rochdale locals and visitors a chance to see artworks being created up close by the world-renowned artists who’ll be in the Greater Manchester town for a week bringing their masterpieces to life. 

Set to run from 7 through to 14 September, a collection of artists are descending onto the streets of Rochdale to give walls around the town centre a lick of paint that will not only brighten up the space, but also leave a lasting legacy.

10 of Rochdale’s notable town centre buildings will undergo a drastic change as part of this art-focused event.

Each art piece will pay homage to moments in Rochdale’s captivating history.

Rochdale-raised artist AYLO and Manchester-based talent Le Mai are two of the creatives getting involved / Credit: Supplied
Rochdale-raised artist AYLO and Manchester-based talent Le Mai are two of the creatives getting involved / Credit: Supplied
Rochdale-raised artist AYLO and Manchester-based Le Mai are two of the creatives getting involved, alongside Smug / Credit: Supplied

The artists involved in this creative, colourful, and cross-continental campaign include Greek artist Insane51, Swiss-born Onur, Manc-based Lei Mai, and so many more.

This new initiative is fronted by local artist Hayley Garner, known by her artist pseudonym AYLO, who was raised in Rochdale.

The festival’s main celebrations are taking place on Saturday 13 September, when you’ll be able to walk through the town and admire all the pieces of art dotted around.

There will also be BMX stunt shows, a live grafitti jam, pop-up galleries, artist talks, and live music, as well as street art workshops so you can unleash your inner Bansky.

Insane51 and Smug are two more artists coming to Rochdale for the upcoming mural festival / Credit: Supplied
Insane51 and Smug are two more artists coming to Rochdale for the upcoming mural festival / Credit: Supplied
Insane51 and Smug join AYLO as just some of the other artists involved / Credit: Supplied

“I’ve painted murals all over the world, but nothing compares to painting in your hometown alongside artists I have looked up to and admired, especially during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture,” commented lead artist and curator of Common Walls, Hayley Garner aka AYLO.

“I’m excited to see every day spaces transformed into landmarks of creativity and connection.

“What makes this even more special is welcoming world-class artists I’ve met on my journey, many of whom will be painting in Greater Manchester for the first time. They are amongst the best in the world and to bring them to my hometown is a real honour.”

Read more:

Common Walls International Mural Festival is coming to Rochdale from Sunday 7 September to Sunday 14 September, and you can find out more information and further Greater Manchester Town of Culture listings online HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

More Boroughs

Boroughs

Trailer released for new BBC drama series Riot Women filmed near Greater Manchester

Boroughs

Cooking classes aimed at getting students ready for university are taking place near Manchester

Boroughs

First look at new Netflix series House of Guinness filmed in and around Greater Manchester

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches