A NEWLY opened restaurant in Ashton-under-Lyne is combining global flavours with a strong community mission, offering free meals to children during the school holidays.
The Wok Station, one of the first halal-Chinese eateries of its kind in Britain, has opened its doors as part of the town’s £19 million regeneration, bringing a London-inspired fusion menu to the heart of Tameside.
But beyond its food, the restaurant is already making an impact locally. Families whose children receive free school meals will be able to claim complimentary dishes, including egg fried rice, during the six-week summer holidays between midday and 4pm.
Owner Sakil Chowdhury said the idea was rooted in a desire to give back.
He said: “My wife has worked in a foodbank and seen the hardship. When I send my children off to school with a packed lunch, I think how fortunate I am to have food.”
The initiative echoes the work of Marcus Rashford, who famously campaigned to extend free school meals during the pandemic.
Customers will simply need to say which school and class they are from to access a free meal during the holidays.
The owners say their commitment may go even further, with plans being considered to provide food for care homes and people experiencing homelessness.
While the concept may be new to Ashton, its inspiration comes from Tower Hamlets, where the owner’s brother previously ran a successful restaurant. The “Wok Station” name itself is a nod to the London Underground, designed to bring a taste of the capital to Greater Manchester.
Despite its modern concept, the restaurant’s ethos has historic echoes. Just streets away stands a statue of John Harrison, known locally as “Uncle John”, who fed struggling families during the Cotton Famine.
The Wok Station was officially opened on April 1 by the Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Shibley Allam, marking the start of what owners hope will be both a successful business and a force for good in the community.