Food & Drink
Lunya is closing its Manchester restaurant for good after five years in the city
They won’t be reopening after lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Lunya is to close its Manchester branch after the restrictions are lifted due to COVID-19.
Lunya Manchester is one of three Lunya sites in the North West, and the owners have stated that: “the impact of COVID-19 has been profound on our business and we cannot survive the future with three restaurant sites.”
To try and remain open, Lunya discussed with landlords, lenders and government agencies to secure additional funding and support but have been unsuccessful in any of these.
Lunya states: “In the close to five years that we have been open, Lunya has been taken to heart by Mancunians, supporting us every step of the way.
“Our highlights being awarded the MEN City Life restaurant of the Year in our first year of opening and being listed in the Good Food Guide for every year we have been open. We have been successful on so many levels and have loved every minute of it.”
The statement from the owners also explains that Brexit has had a hugely negative impact on their business, stating: “The last two years since the Brexit referendum have presented additional challenges for everyone in the hospitality industry, and especially us as a hugely import-focused business.
“With declining consumer confidence, a huge drop in the Euro exchange rate and large increases in business rates, general costs and overheads, this has meant significant cost pressures and taken together with the devastating impact of the closure from the Coronavirus, it has made Lunya Manchester financially untenable, and our current site too expensive to operate from for as long as we can see.”
The two Liverpool sites will remain open with the statement explaining that ‘we think we can manage with two sites opening with partial covers, whenever the government allows us to’.
Back in March, Lunya shared an impassioned tweet to the Prime Minister about the action from the government needed for businesses. It was seen by 2 million people.
The Manchester staff remain furloughed and Lunya promises to maintain this for as long as possible, envisaging this to finish at the end of August.
They have started a statutory redundancy consultation and have urged any other restaurants looking for chefs, waiters, retail staff, bar staff and managers to look to their huge talent in their team.
The statement finishes with: We have wonderful customers and hope through our online, local deliveries and other events we will still enjoy their support and serve them – just in a different way. It will be more ‘hasta pronto’ rather than ‘adios’. Manchester hasn’t seen the last of us.
Food & Drink
Popular Turkish restaurant set to open second site in Manchester city centre
Manchester is set to boast an exciting new Turkish eatery
A Lancashire-based Turkish restaurant loved for its authentic cuisine is set to open a second venue in Manchester.
Ottoman Bar & Grill is set to be the latest addition to Manchester’s ever-expanding and bustling food scene.
Becoming the second site, it will open at Affinity Living’s Riverside complex situated on the edge of Salford, across from Spinningfields, making it the family-owned eatery’s first in the city.
The family already have a well-established venue in their hometown of Chorley that’s famous among locals – where regulars flock to sample dishes of authentic Turkish cuisine.
The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at its new Manchester location.
Opening in February next year, diners can expect menu highlights including the delicious chicken and lamb shish kebabs, freshly made bread and hummus and specials such as the lamb butterfly – as well as a delightful selection of vegetarian dishes.
The decor will feature elegant furniture against a striking colour theme with vibrant pampas grass, giving the perfect ambience to enjoy an exquisite dining experience for any occasion.
Ugur Ansin, director at Ottoman Bar & Grill, said: “We cannot wait to open the doors to our Manchester city centre restaurant in Affinity Living Riverside next year.
“We’ve built a solid reputation in Chorley for providing the best quality food alongside a second-to-none service.
“My team has invested their decades of experience as butchers and working in Turkey’s top restaurants into Ottoman – creating a truly authentic dining experience.
“Manchester was the natural next step for us in opening a second restaurant, and we’ve got big plans to take our dining experience nationwide in the next few years. See you very soon Manchester.”
Food & Drink
Morrisons is doing half price fish and chips at all of its cafes today
The chippy tea will be available for £3.50
Morrisons is offering half price on fish and chips in its cafés today to mark Black Friday.
The supermarket chain will be dishing up the bargain meals on Friday, November 24th so shoppers can take advantage of a great saving in the huge day of sales.
There’s just one catch – and we’re not talking about the fish – the price of a plate of fish will be slashed by 50% for Morrisons’ More Card holders.
The Fish & Chips meal includes a freshly battered fish from Morrisons Market Street, with a portion of hot golden chips and a side of mushy peas to complete. Usually costing seven quid, More Card holders will get it for £3.50.
Diners at Morrisons café can also add a side of bread and butter for £1 and finish off with a sweet treat of Bramley Apple Crumble for £3.
Chris Strong, Morrison’s Café Buying Manager said: “Bargain hunting on Black Friday can certainly work up an appetite, so why not pop into one of our cafés for the ultimate catch of the day!
“A whopping 50% off our customer favourite Fish & Chip café meal. Available for one day only… you’ll need to be quick!”
The supermarket offered 50% off its fish & chips back in June and shoppers flocked for a fish supper which cost £3.49.
Last week the chain unveiled its new Christmas Menu for 2023 with a variety of festive options costing from £4.
The menu includes the Festive Turkey Feast Toastie (£4.50), The Festive Stack Chicken Burger (£7.00), and two or three course roast dinners with all the trimmings (£10 & £12).
Vegetarian and vegan alternatives also feature on the set menu, so there’s something for every shopper to enjoy.
Families can also continue to take advantage of the Kids Eat Free offer when purchasing an adult meal over £4.50, available all day, every day in Morrisons cafés.
The half-price fish and chips offer will be available in its 395 cafés nationwide on Friday, November 24th 2023 whilst stocks last. The discount is available for More Card holders.
For more information click, HERE.
Food & Drink
Pub chain launches gravy ice cream sundae with FREE carvery for anyone who finishes it
It’s all gravy
A popular pub chain is dishing out a free carvery to anyone who can finish its new limited edition dessert challenge.
Greene King has launched a new limited edition Carvery Sundae – which consists of a sweet ice-cream dessert smothered in lashings of hot savoury gravy.
The unusual take on a sweet and savoury-style dessert will be available for two Sundays only – November 26th and December 3rd.
The challenge is available at 40 participating sites across the UK, including five pubs in Manchester. Those taking part will have to finish all of the the hot and cold dessert to win a free carvery.
Challengers will have a choice of two flavoured sundaes: the ‘Ultimate Ice Cream Sundae’ which consists of two scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, lava cookie, Twix, Malteasers and Smarties.
Or, the ‘Choctastic Sundae’, which consists of one scoop of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, lava cookie, Twix, Malteasers and Smarties. Either choice will of course come with a generous pouring of the brand’s own gravy to top it off.
The pubs that are getting involved in the gravy sundae madness around Greater Manchester include: The Barlow Croft in East Didsbury, Beach in Littleborough, Bee Hive in Bolton, Mottram Wood in Hyde and Red Robin in Wigan.
Sophie Howells, Marketing Manager for Greene King Pub & Carvery, said: “The Carvery Sundae is the perfect balance of sweet and savoury, featuring two types of ice cream, and a wide range of toppings.
“The hot gravy might not be for everyone, but it certainly makes for a unique experience.
“Best of all, if you finish it, you get your next carvery on us. Once you’ve polished off your Carvery Sundae, a team member will give you a receipt to redeem a carvery meal the next time you’re in the pub.”
To take part in the challenge and be in with a chance of winning a free carvery, customers will need to ask for a topping of gravy on their sundae when they order.
The limited edition Carvery Sundae is available on Sunday, November 26th and Sunday, December 3rd at selected sites only.
Find something to do in Manchester
Powered by 
Fabio and Grooverider are coming to Manchester for a huge night of drum & bass
First image released of £75 million Trafford surf park amid two-year delay
BBC presenter randomly gives middle finger live on air with viewers shocked
Deal or No Deal fans raise over £100k for contestant with MND who only won £5
Get half price tickets to see a Cinderella pantomime in Manchester this December
