It’s all change at Escape To Freight Island, the former railway depot turned outdoor urban beer garden and food hall. A host of new food operators have been announced for the venue’s Spring season.
The long-talked about rollerskating rink will also be unveiled, along with an all-day free series of Sunday festival events taking place all the way through to the end of summer.
Ramsbottom’s basque-inspired eatery Baratxuri, which has been there since the venue launched in 2020, will be departing to be replaced by Carnival, a new grill concept from chef Richard Turner. Turner has been behind the scenes at the likes of Hawksmoor and famed barbecue spot Pitt Cue, and was trained by the likes of the Roux brothers, Pierre Koffmann and Marco Pierre White.
Carnival will serve porterhouse and t-bones, along with smoked beef shortribs, and pork chops, along with a ‘front row seat’ tasting menu. It will open five days a week, from Wednesday to Sunday.
Salford burger heroes Burgerism will be breaking out of their dark kitchen and heading to Freight to replace Patty Queen, with its no-frills, high quality smashed burgers, while Liverpool bistro Belzan will be bringing a new fried and grilled chicken concept Lucky Foot.
Meanwhile, bakers Batard will be branching out from their off-Princess Street cafe and setting up at Piccadilly with a new diner concept, boasting American style pies, while Gooey will be serving up hot cookie doughs with ice cream, replacing Choo Choo and Soft Boi.
Other developments include the new Good Life Skates roller rink, which was first floated when Freight Island was announced in 2020. The 8000 sq ft rink will open on the site’s mezzanine level, and will host its own drinks and food offering too, as well as all-day rollerskating.
And it will also launch Better Days, a series of Sunday, all-day festival events from April 17 through to August 28, with a huge DJ line-up including Greg Wilson, Graeme Park, Sally Rodgers (A Man Called Adam), Don Letts, Jenna G, f Erol Alkan, DJ Paulette, Danielle Moore (Crazy P) and Mike Don.
Details of the venue’s other events, like mid-week Comedy Store takeovers and its Sunday Social Club, can be found at the Escape To Freight Island website.
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