📶 A new riverside restaurant and £2.5million fund

Good news for one of Salford's most loved spots. The Salford Museum & Art Gallery has been shortlisted for the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award, and honestly, it's well deserved.

The award, which has been running since 2004, is the only museum prize in the country judged entirely by families. Hundreds of nominations came in from across the UK, and Salford made the cut, landing a spot in the Best Medium Museum category alongside three other finalists.

If you've ever taken the kids there, you'll know why. Between the Victorian street at Lark Hill Place, the dressing up, the arts & crafts and the school holiday activities, it's the kind of place children actually want to go back to.

Next up, undercover family judges will visit the museum to assess it against the Kids in Museums Manifesto. 

Winners are announced at the ceremony in October, fingers crossed for Salford!🤞

Rio has left the building! 

Right, let's address the parrot in the room. Gardens Lounge recently opened and made headlines for housing a live parrot (Rio) in the middle of the restaurant.

After receiving a massive backlash, Gardens Lounge has agreed to hand Rio to a wildlife group.

Now that Rio is gone, it's time to actually talk about the Mediterranean restaurant.

Gardens Lounge is a brand new Mediterranean restaurant and shisha lounge, sitting right on the banks of the River Irwell on the Salford/Manchester border. If you're looking to try a different kind of vibe, it’s worth checking out.

A few favourites worth trying:

They're currently walk-in only and not taking bookings so click here to check out their full menu and plan your visit!

If you're looking for something to do this weekend that isn't just sitting in front of a fan, the Artisan Market has you covered.

Salford's longest-running community market rolls into Swinton Square this Saturday, 27th June, with over 30 independent traders bringing handmade crafts, gifts, food, sweet treats, homeware, artwork and more. It's free, it's family-friendly, and it's the kind of event that makes you feel good about where you live.

And if you miss it this weekend, you can catch the one in Eccles on Sunday 5th July, taking over Church Street from 11am to 4pm. It’s got a street food arena, live music, free art workshops, face painting and interactive family activities.

This is a big one for the city. 

Salford is launching a new £2.5m early support programme this September, aimed at helping children and young people flourish by building confidence, strengthening emotional resilience and unlocking their full educational potential over the next 3 years.

Developed through a partnership between AllChild, Salford City Council, five local schools and community organisations, the programme will work directly alongside 300 young people; giving them access to trusted adults, real opportunities and a joined-up network of support around them.

Every child deserves the best support, and Salford is making sure more of them get one.