The Mancunian Way: Afro Asda

Hello,

Last month, my colleague Damon included a mention of a new supermarket aiming to become Manchester’s ‘Afro Asda’ in this newsletter. Now, two months on from their official opening in February, DOA is thriving.

Social media videos - including one from the Manchester Evening News - are part of what has helped to spread the word about this African superstore, located in Openshaw. Standing for Direct out of Africa or Delivered out of Africa, the shop is hoping to be a one-stop shop for Manchester residents of the diaspora.

Run by Nigerian natives and in-laws turned business partners Bukola Ariyo and Oladayo Olanrewaju, the shop stocks popular Nigerian foods like moin moin and palm oil. However, they do have universal African favourites like maize meal, cassava, fresh plantain, sugarcane, a range of herbs and spices commonly used in Caribbean food as well as a halal butchers, imported shea butter, black soap and more.

Ramzani Mwamba has been speaking to the pair, who have ambitious plans for their Lime Square supermarket.

“One of the big goals is, instead of a ‘world food’ aisle’ we would have a huge shop and each aisle would be separated by countries, so ‘Zimbabweans go here, Congolese go there and Jamaicans here,” Bukola joked.

“If you go into Tesco or Asda, you’re able to shop freely, and conveniently. We started thinking to ourselves, why can’t we as Africans have that?

“There are big African stores but there are none with this layout and the setting that we have," she added. “Our dream is to be the Afro-Asda. Why not?”

You can read Rami’s full story here.

What do you want to ask the next Mayor?

The Manchester Evening News is giving you the opportunity to ask questions of the people running to be Greater Manchester’s next Mayor.

We are hosting hustings at the M.E.N offices next week, and you have the chance to be part of the conversation by submitting your questions online.

The member of the public who submits the best question will also be given the opportunity to attend the hustings in person, quizzing the candidates face-to-face.

You can submit your question here.

‘My heart is broken’

An Oldham mum who lost her life in an alleged stabbing in Bradford has been pictured for the first time.

Kulsuma Akter, 27, died following an incident in Bradford city centre on Saturday (April 6). A 25-year-old from Oldham, Habibur Masum, has been charged with her murder.

Speaking to the MailOnline in her home village near to Sylhet, in Bangladesh, Ms Akter’s devastated mother paid tribute to her daughter. Monwara Begum, 60, said: "I am still in shock, my heart is broken, she was my youngest daughter and I adored her greatly."

You can read the latest updates here.

Joke’s over

Salford University has announced it will drop a comedy course that helped shape comedians including Peter Kay and Jason Manford.

The BA Comedy, Writing and Performance degree, which originated as a BA Media and Performance programme, taught students about producing new work and refining their writing of comedy shows.

Beloved comedians Peter Kay and Jason Manford emerged from its original HND in Media and Performance programme, and have since returned to give guest lectures to current students. But no more stars will be created by the course, as the University has confirmed it will not run for a fresh intake in September due to ‘low numbers’.

Adam Maidment has the full story here.

‘We can't settle’

The parents of a 19-year-old who was killed after her abusive boyfriend pushed her down some stairs have spoken of their ‘disgust’ after a parole board decision to free him.

Carly Fairhurst was left with fatal injuries for 12 hours before Darren Pilkington called an ambulance following a late night row at their home in Higher Ince, Wigan. Carly never regained consciousness and died a week later, and Pilkington, 41, was jailed for his second manslaughter conviction in 2006.

The Parole Board has now recommended that he is fit to leave prison and live in a bail hostel, monitored with an electronic tag and subject to a curfew. Carly's parents, Trevor and Sheila Fairhurst, have now said they are "disgusted" by the Parole Board decision.

You can read the full story here.

Weather etc

Friday: Overcast all day. 16C.

Roadworks: A34 Irwell Street Southbound closed due to roadworks from A6042 Trinity Way to Stanley Street.

Manchester headlines

• Car crash: Dramatic pictures show the aftermath of a car crash into a house in Bolton. A man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries following the collision. More here.

• Court: Habibur Masum has been charged with murder over the death of Oldham woman Kulsuma Akter, 27, following an alleged stabbing in Bradford on Saturday. The 25-year-old appeared in court today.

• Murder trial: Ten teenagers are on trial at Manchester Crown Court charged with the murder of 16-year-old Kennie Carter. The trial opened today - you can read updates here.

Worth a read

The family of a 'beautiful' schoolgirl who suffered a fatal stroke say their lives have been 'torture' during a prolonged battle for answers over her death.

Chris Slater has been speaking to her family, who say they will ‘continue to fight for justice’ following the conclusion of an inquest into her death. You can read the full story here.