Our news
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Neighbourhood Weekender 2025: My top 5 acts to watch
Neighbourhood Weekender is always one of the highlights of my year, so I was gutted when I discovered that it wasn’t happening in 2024. The first line-up in 2018 is still arguably the best, with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds topping the bill alongside Courteeners – who had just sold out Old Trafford Cricket Ground…
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Louis: is the fancy themed restaurant style over substance?
Ever since Louis opened in Manchester city centre, late last year, it’s been right at the top of my list of places to visit. Inspired by golden-age New York jazz bars, the promise of great Italian-American dishes and live music sounded like a winning combo. Despite a few negative reviews cropping up on TikTok recently,…
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72 hours in Belfast – Guinness, great food and ‘Troubles’ tour
In the past couple of years, Belfast has quickly become one of my favourite places to visit. Last week, Mrs Molloy and I hopped on the short flight to Northern Ireland’s capital for the third time, after my in-laws paid for the trip as a generous wedding gift. At three nights, it was our longest…
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Popular indie café Cotton set to open at Farnworth Green
Popular Manchester café Cotton is set to be the second business to move into Capital & Centric’s Farnworth Green development. The independent, which currently has stores in Ancoats and at Neptune Mill, is renowned for its artisan sandwiches and organic coffee. Farnworth Green was officially opened to the public on 1st February, almost five years…
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First look at Farnworth Green – the redevelopment years in the making
Back in 2019, I broke the news that Farnworth Market Precinct was being demolished. It was a story that divided locals, with a lot of scepticism about what would end up filling the void and whether it would actually be any improvement. In 2020, award-winning property developer Capital & Centric announced its £50 million vision…
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Earl’s – is Bolton’s buzzy new ‘day and night deli’ worth the hype?
Over the past couple of weeks, it seems as if my social media feeds have been completely taken over by a trendy looking nightspot, with its bright orange sign, wood-panelled walls and stacks of vinyl records popping up on countless Instagram posts and TikTok videos. I presumed that it was in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, but…
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Blanco Lounge Bolton – the verdict on Middlebrook’s new café bar
I have to admit that I spent large part of 2024 wondering what on Earth was being built in between Wagamama and Wingstop, on Middlebrook Retail Park, and a couple of months ago I finally got my answer – Blanco Lounge. Blanco Lounge is the latest addition to the portfolio of the Bristol-based Loungers group…
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How Bowlers rose from the ashes of forgotten Farnworth superclub
Today, Chapel Street in Farnworth is a quiet stretch, home to little more than the back of a care home. But rewind a few decades, and this unassuming spot was buzzing with life, playing host to some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. From Motown legends to rave pioneers, the venue that started…
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The most haunted spots in Bolton – ghosts and spooky footprints
Bolton’s rich history is filled with tales of tragedy, ghosts, and eerie folklore. From haunted pubs to mysterious footprints and restless spirits, some of its landmarks are as fascinating as they are chilling. If you’re drawn to ghost stories or just love exploring local history, Bolton’s most haunted spots offer a captivating glimpse into the…