Kevin Benson

This year, we return to the UK’s biggest engineering and uber-geekery festival (disguised as a hackathon) for another weekend of hacking, coding and good times.
This play by play chronicle will be created and updated in real-time, from the ground in Manchester, from before the very first keyboard tap right up until the winners are announced on Sunday evening.
This year’s playbyplay coverage is proudly supported by included.co – who create shared buying-power so that the members of 300+ cowork...

When the Indian Tiffin Room first opened in Cheadle in 2013, it quickly won praise from far and wide for its completely left field approach to Indian cuisine, serving up delicious street food at a reasonable price, devoid of any pretense and trickery. It’s simple, cosy and downright difficult to get a booking still to this day. In addition, it did the impossible and drew people away from the city and into the suburbs, riding on the back of the recent a la TripAdvisor trend.
So when word first...

Nestled on a busy corner at a far end of the Northern Quarter, Shack Bar and Grill is another fine example of a Manchester business thriving in an area of the city where once dereliction and squalor prevailed – Piccadilly Basin – but which, in recent years, has established itself as an important piece of the fabric of the finely woven tapestry that is Manchester.
“We wanted to get into that Northern Quarter vibe but also offer something different,” says Sam, Shack’s general manager. “We felt ...

When the hustle and bustle of Market Street gets too much for you and you need some time to relax, turn the corner onto Oldham Street and you’ll find The Crafty Pig is there to greet you, offering big eats, craft beers and service with a smile.
Oldham Street has always been one of Manchester’s most popular locations, famous for its record shops, bars and vintage stores that have helped to make the city one of the country’s trendiest places to live.
Everyone is welcome at The Crafty Pig – whet...

Grindsmith’s Pete Gibson on Coffee, Community and Bringing People Together

NEW HIDDEN BAR IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO MANCHESTER'S SUBTERRANEAN WORLD

MANCHESTER’S COOLEST OFFICES - THINK ICE CREAM VANS, PUPPIES AND FULLY STOCKED BARS

Life can be pretty rough as a freelance writer. You never know when your next gig is going to turn up....

Hack Manchester 2015 (includedLive Coverage)

Throughout my career I’ve learned many lessons, often the hard way. But it’s these difficult lessons that I have to thank for being where I am today. It brings me great joy to be able to stand up in f...