Fuel Bowls

Fuel Bowls is a fully plant-based food business based at Boggart Hole Clough visitors centre. Open Friday to Sunday, they offer a range of vegan friendly food with different nutritious specials each day.

The business is owned by Angela and Michelle Maher, and since opening they’ve received a lot of support from the local community and particularly running groups in the local area. Along with their regular menu, they also sell homemade natural treats for dogs!

The plant-based couple decided to take the plunge and open their own food business after attending different festivals and events and not being able to find sufficient vegan friendly options. Angela and Michelle saved up for a year to purchase the former horsebox from which the business operates. They then committed several months of time to renovating it, making sure it was ready to go.

Angela and Michelle were referred by Claire at Greater Manchester’s Build A Business to speak to Bury Council’s BCS Officer Joe, for food hygiene guidance and support. They've since gone on to score an FHRS rating of 5 in their first ever food hygiene inspection!

“Joe’s been fantastic and has given us a lot of support. Michelle has a lot of experience as a catering manager, but I [Angela] didn’t know anything about it, so it was all new to me. He’s given us advice on waste contracts and keeping records. He told us about the food safety management system, and we keep a daily logbook with opening and closing checks, temperature checking and so on. We've also done allergy training, and we have a book where we keep a list of all our ingredients and allergens.  

Joe is great and it’s nice that you can talk to him and not feel like you’re on the back foot at all. He and Claire have helped us a lot in order for us to find a space and start trading”.

Fuel Bowls are at Boggart Hole Clough visitors centre Charlestown Road, Blackley, Manchester, M9 7DH from 9am-4pm every Friday-Sunday and you can keep up to date with what they’re up to over on their Instagram page.