Wed. Dec 4th, 2024

A secret roof garden above Pier Eight at The Lowry has flourished this summer.

Making great use of the longest heat-wave since 1976, chefs at the waterside restaurant on Salford Quays have been growing herbs and flowers for their dishes for the first time ever.

Borage, nasturtium, mint, sage, fennel and cornflower are among some of the plants being grown in recycled pots.


Executive head chef Oliver Thomas said “Our menu has a real focus on championing local ingredients and what could be more local than picking herbs and flowers from our very own roof. This is the first time we’ve ever grown fresh produce at Pier Eight restaurant and we hope that it will help us to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Pier Eight is The Lowry’s restaurant and bar, overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal and MediaCityUK. Serving fresh, British flavours and seasonal ingredients, it is the perfect setting for a relaxed lunch, pre-show meal or a special occasion.

Pier Eight Restaurant is open for pre-theatre dining for Lyric & Quays Theatre shows, with an extended menu and opening on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings.

For more information visit the website.

The Lowry is a large arts and entertainment venue based in Salford, housing two galleries, three theatres, and a bar and restaurant called Pier Eight. Named after the painter LS Lowry, the building is home to the worlds largest collection of his works, and has a dedicated gallery to them. The second gallery presents exciting new exhibitions from contemporary artists. The three theatres present productions of all sizes including dance, drama, musicals, circus, opera, music, comedy and family shows. Pier Eight is a new development of the bar and restaurant area, serving two modern British menus including a casual dining bar menu and formal menu within the restaurant.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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