Northern pub group launches crisp butty menu with 7-course crisp tasting option
The menu is split into sections, with choices like "crinkle cut classics", "not crisp butties", "combo butties" and a "special sharing platter", consisting of seven different courses of crisps - dubbed their "7-course tasting menu".
A Northern pub group has launched an epic crisp butty menu that includes a 7-course crisp “tasting menu” option.
Beerhouses Pubs group, whose pubs include the Stalybridge Buffet Bar inside Stalybridge rail station, put together and costed the menu after their followers voted in their masses for it on Twitter.
The idea was first floated at the end of June – now it’s coming to fruition for one week only, starting today, July 12.
Well we made a menu and you wanted it*. So now it's been costed, chefs trained and stock ordered. The Crisp & Not Crisp Butty menu will be live in @Stalybuffetbar and @WestRidingLRR from Monday for one week only.
The menu is split into sections, with choices like “crinkle cut classics”, “not crisp butties”, “combo butties” and a “special sharing platter”, consisting of seven different courses of crisps – dubbed their “7-course tasting menu”.
Rest easy, it’s all going to be on thick white bread with “lashings of Lurpak” – let’s be honest, none of this artisanal bread works as well when it comes to creating the holy grail of crisp sandwiches.
For the “crinkle cut classics” section, Seabrooks crisps appear to be an imperative choice with the menu clearly stating: “Seabrooks crisps obviously”. A choice of flavours, meanwhile, includes plain, salt and vinegar, cheese and onion or Canadian ham.
The “not crisp butties” go down the maize snack route and have the potential to cause a few disagreements this week. That said, there are some iconic childhood favourites featured here – with filling choices including pickled onion Monster Munch, Bacon Fries, Scampi Fries, Wotsits or salt and vinegar Squares.
That said, though, if you really want to push the boat out then you obviously have to spring for the 7-course crisp tasting menu.
Comprised of hot pork scratchings, poppadoms with dip, Monster Munch, Bacon Fries, Scampi Fries and two bags of Seabrook, it’s priced at just £7 – talk about the ultimate crisp feast.
And if it goes well I'm already experimenting on a second version with Nik Naks, Wheat Crunchies, McCoys, Roysters, Quavers, Onion Rings, Space Raiders, Snyders Jalapeno pretzels and Frisps.
Last but not least, we have to talk about the “Combo butties” – all of which have their own special combinations inside.
A “mighty meaty” option features Canadian ham Seabrook and Bacon Fries, whilst a “Surf and Turf” combines Scampi and Bacon Fries in one.
“Cheese and Bacon” combines Bacon Fries with Wotsits, whilst “Double cheese and onion”, looks like it’ll pack a punch, filled with Monster Munch, Wotsits and cheese and onion Seabrook crisps.
Speaking on Twitter, a spokesperson for the brewery added “[if the menu goes down well] I’m already experimenting on a second version with Nik Naks, Wheat Crunchies, McCoys, Roysters, Quavers, Onion Rings, Space Raiders, Snyders Jalapeno pretzels and Frisps.”
It’s good to see the humble crisp butty finally getting the shine it so deserves. Now we just really hope that Beerhouses Pubs introduce a beer pairing menu to go alongside it next.
The Crisp & Not Crisp Butty menu will be live at both Stalybridge Buffet Bar & Beerhouse and Dewsbury’s West Riding Beerhouse from Monday, 12 June for one week only. Crisp butty prices start from £2.25.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
News
The Lowry Theatre undergoes revamp following Biffa Award grant
Danny Jones
The Lowry in Salford Quays has had a bit of TLC with one of its biggest theatre spaces undergoing a pretty significant refurb this past month.
Following a well-deserved grant distributed via the Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through community and environmental projects across the UK, the legendary local theatre received nearly £75k last year.
As a result, all 440 seats and various other aspects of The Lowry‘s Quays Theatre have now been renovated and refurbished.
The short story is, she looks more gorgeous than ever – see for yourself:
Being initially handed over in March 2024, The Lowry was awarded a total of £74,816 to reupholster seating in the venue’s Quays Theatre with new padding and fabric.
After almost 25 years of constant use as one of the most popular theatres in the North, the seats in the Quays Theatre were much in need of a refurb, and with work completed in December, Lowry visitors can now enjoy watching the venue’s wide range of theatre, dance, comedy and drama in comfort.
The work was actually carried out between July and December, with seats being carefully removed in batches and reupholstered off-site.
This was made possible due to the Biffa Award’s most recent ‘Cultural Facilities’ theme, which aims to improve recreation, interest and education, drawing funds from the UK government’s wider Landfill Communities Fund.
The old fabric and padding were disposed of sustainably, with lots of it being repurposed where possible to minimise waste and all the new materials used meet current guidance for safety and quality.
The Lowry’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, Gwen Oakden, said of the long overdue update:“It is so important that our audiences are able to enjoy our world-class performing arts programme in a comfortable and welcoming space.
“For many visitors to the Quays Theatre, this is their first experience of live performance – often to see a family show or as part of a school trip. We really want it to be the best experience possible, and for them to begin a lifelong relationship with Lowry.
“As a registered charity, without the generous support of this Biffa Award, for which we’re hugely grateful, we couldn’t have carried out this important work for our audiences.
As we head into our 25th Anniversary year, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences and visitors can enjoy the beautiful and revived Quays Theatre.”
As for the Biffa side of things, Grants Manager Rachel Maidment added: “We are delighted to have supported The Lowry in refurbishing the Quays Theatre seating, ensuring audiences can continue to enjoy performances in comfort.
“Through Biffa’s Cultural Facilities theme, we fund projects that provide engaging and inspiring spaces for communities. The Lowry is a key cultural venue, and we’re proud that our funding, made possible through the government Fund, has helped enhance the experience for visitors for years to come.”
Like most Mancs, we love The Lowry, so here’s to hosting countless more theatregoers in the most comfortable seats possible for generations to come.
We’ve been to some brilliant performances around here of late.
Georgina Pellant -
12th July 2021 
