FOR the record it was B’Wildered, a 7.5% sour cherry and chocolate Imperial Stout from the Wild Beer Co. When ToM paid £4.50 for a half pint of this craft beer the realisation dawned: Stretford is now officially COOL.
On the site where Argos once dealt in catalogue bargains in a peeling Mall the new Foodhall is the flagship of a £2.5m redevelopment. The project itself, open barely a fortnight, is the brainchild of Mital Morar and the team behind Manchester’s favourite ‘corner shop’, Ancoats General Store.
Just a fleeting Zone 2 Metrolink ride from the city centre, you cross the busy A56 and are instantly struck by the similarities to the prototype, but this is a quantum leap forward. Stock includes lots of everyday goods alongside the pricier artisan stuff but Tesco Express it ain’t. Here they are placing a huge emphasis on organic, sustainable and a no packaging policy.
This more than just a convenience store. ‘Foodhall’ gives it away. Already Stretfordians, especially those young families, are using it as a social hub t any time the day (it’s one from 7am to 11pm). The keg bar offering we kicked off with is excellent. So too the chill cabinet of cans to carry off. Coffee options match AGS in quality and there are lots of tables in the main hall.
So far the street food offering at three units inside is finding its feet. When ToM popped by it was just pop-up sustainable pizza whizzes Basilico and there jfor the weekend sticky Spanish ‘donuts’ Churros Hermanos.
The big boost is the residency for the next fortnight of Blue Caribou Canteen whose Canadian-style poutine has proved a huge success at a permanent home in Manchester Arndale. Wash one of there elaborate takes on the carb-heavy snacks with one of the beers available that are lighter on the wallet
