Cheshire Living’s food writers, Richard Dash and Jamie Carter, invite us to celebrate Pride month
Happy Pride! Yep, it’s officially Pride month! We can forgive you for not knowing this already, with all of the different pride marches and events held throughout the year it’s difficult to know when “Pride” actually is. June is Pride Awareness Month and the real Pride is on June 28. This is to mark the day the gay rights movement started in 1969, off the back of the Stonewall riots - when the gay community decided to take their stand against fear and oppression. So, now you’ve learned something new, here are a few new businesses for you to dig your teeth into…
Yas Bean
Making their return to our list of must-visit queer-owned businesses are Mika and Dan, owners of the loud and proud Yas Bean in Macclesfield, a coffee shop that serves coffee, delicious treats and snacks with a side of pure pride.
Mika and Dan have worked their little pink socks off over the past few years to grow their brand and business to be the regionally recognised destination it now is. They lend their natural charm, wit and charisma to everything within the pink walls of Yas Bean and we’re all totally here for it.
We asked Mika why it’s still so important to wave that rainbow flag in 2023: “Queer visibility has never been more important than it is right now. With the ongoing media attack on our trans family it’s so important to make sure our identities and our character are not defined by any media rhetoric. We’re all human beings and it’s really important that we’re able to accept one another for who we are and we’re not basing our assumptions on what someone else wants us to believe. We hope that people are able to form their own opinions and love us for our own true and authentic selves'
If you’ve been desperately trying to get your hands on their iconic bakes and cakes but life has been getting in the way, don’t worry, they now have nationwide delivery available for you. You’re very welcome, queens. Head to their socials for more information.
I: @yasssbean
Holmes Sweet Home
High on our visit list for some time (if it’s not on yours, get it penciled in), is Holme Sweet Home in wholesome Holmes Chapel. Owned by Steve and Luis, who moved to Holmes Chapel in 2020 seeking a slower pace of life. They happened across Holmes Chapel exploring other parts of Cheshire and immediately fell in love with the village.
Holmes Sweet Home offers an inclusive space for people of all ages to gather, have a coffee or a milkshake and a sweet treat with an extensive menu to tickle your taste buds. We stopped by to have a quick sip on a milkshake (The Ambassador, pictured here: don’t let it’s stoic stature fool you, it’s sweet and soft really) and a talk with the boys on why they feel queer visibility is still so important in 2023. "The community in Holmes Chapel have been so welcoming and supportive of our business and have taken us into their arms. It was really nice to have so many people come to congratulate us on our engagement and be genuinely happy for us. While we love that the younger generation are clearly more accepting and inclusive, it’s not always been like that and for some areas it continues to be difficult to live openly and authentically, which is why it’s so important to stay visible.”
Waffle Kart
In January 2023 Waffle Kart hosted their debut pop up in Sale Foodhall (RIP). Since then, you might have spotted them in Ancoats General Store or Stretford Foodhall. They’re hot, savoury and a lil bit Chinese (their own words). You can expect wondrous waffles, big eats, even bigger flavours and Asian twists on some of your favourite waffle combos - who knew that Prawn Toast Waffles would be so tasty?! Maisie and Heather did…
We wanted to get their perspective on being queer business owners in the seemingly more accepting community of Greater Manchester.
"A big reason we think it’s important to be visibly queer in business is for younger people who dream of one day starting their own business. It is an old saying but, ‘if you can’t see it, you can’t be it!’
“Like us, many queer people struggle to fit in the conventional workplace and so naturally will gravitate towards being self-employed. We’re lucky that we live in our Manchester bubble, which is pretty accepting, but we hope putting ourselves out there will create more space for queer youth to do the same.”
Throughout June you'll find this wacky waffle kart parked up at Ancoats General Store. Keep an eye on their social media for future dates venues.
I: @waffle.kart
Redlight
Situated on Little David Street, a cobbled alley next to the uber cool Kampus in Manchester, lies a brand new, cool and edgy, queer bar; Redlight. The bar’s name is a nod to the LGBT+ history of Kampus, with the canals and warehouses once at the heart of the cotton industry, but then becoming a hidden red-light district after the businesses wound down.
Originally from Belfast, Deana Ferguson’s been working in Manchester’s hospitality scene for over eight years, most notably at Hawksmoor and Ducie St Warehouse. She can’t wait to bring a premium cocktail experience close to Manchester’s famous Gay Village.
When asked why it’s so important to be so queer and visible in 2023, Redlight owner Deana says; “LGBTQ+ spaces have never been more important! You only have to look to the news to see countries still outlawing being gay, drag shows being censored and trans rights being chipped away at. Red Light is a safe and inclusive space that welcomes everyone and celebrates you for being your true authentic self.”
We’re falling in love with the emerging speakeasy scene in Manchester and would love to see more of them around Cheshire (hint hint anyone?) we can’t wait to see more from Deana & Redlight. Follow her journey with us.
I: @redlightmcr
Find more of the best of local food and drink at lostincheshire.co.uk and on Instagram @lostincheshire
