With pubs and social clubs shutting all over the place, and internet dating a scary proposition for some, the big question in Salford these days is `Where do you go to meet people?'
Peppermint Lounge, which opened this week at the Ice Bar, ISIS Restaurant on Bolton Road, aims to fill this gap for those over thirty, and is believed to be the only regular singles night in the city.
Happening every Wednesday, from 8pm, there's a relaxed atmosphere and a warm welcome from organisers who are attempting to create something special.
"If you come to a place like this you can actually go and chat to somebody because you know what they are there for, whereas if you're in the pub and they're with their mates it's like `Don't bother'" says Annette Wainwright "Here you just get talking to people and women can get dressed up."
And fellow organiser, Norma Parkinson-Green, explains that the Ice Bar is the perfect place for it...
"You feel welcome the minute you walk through the door as all the management and staff are fabulous, the atmosphere is lovely and there's a dancefloor" she says "We have started Peppermint Lounge off the back of the Rendezvous which was in Astley, and had been going for 19 years until Fred Done closed it for flats. We've tried a number of other places and not liked them, so we're hoping that a lot of people come here."
Norma explains that, as well as Salford singles, they have love hunters coming from all over Greater Manchester "because there's nothing in their areas" and ISIS even has bedrooms if anyone wants to stay over. Officially opened this week by Simon Williams, of Sounds of Salford Radio, at the first event there were lots of people grateful for new potentially romantic opportunities...
"I've come tonight as there's not many places out there to actually meet new people and there's quite a lot of us who need this" says Don Elias who has come to Peppermint Lounge for the first time.
"The pub is probably the worst place to meet someone and this kind of event is all organised and everyone's in the same boat" he adds "Everyone's single and everyone's here wanting to meet people or trying to make a relationship. It's dress up, come in and hopefully meet somebody..."
Peppermint Lounge at Ice Bar, ISIS Restaurant
Every Wednesday 8pm £4
390 Bolton Road M27 8UX
To join the closed Peppermint Lounge Facebook group – click here
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