A TikTok and Instagram sensation has visited Bolton as part of his mission to help small businesses.

Simon Hannigan – better known as "Dad the dish" on social media and originally from Kirkham – came up with the idea of adding munchy boxes to small businesses menus during lockdown.

He chose to visit Bombai Bites in Bolton after his followers recommended it as one of their top takeaways with the best quality food in their area.

Since starting the munchy boxes he says it has resulted in more than £750,000 in profits for eight of the venues he has visited.

He added: “It’s all part of a small project basically to try and help small businesses.

“Because at the minute they are struggling, and all the prices for everything are going up, and they don’t seem like they can charge more.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Simon (@dadthedish)

 

“So, it’s about getting more support, and also highlighting - to me - good quality food because I won’t work with a company that isn’t recommended by their people.”

After cooking recipes for people as a way to help him deal with his own mental health during lockdown, a close friend reached out to him for support with his business.

Simon added: “In December 2020 obviously businesses were struggling and a close friend of mine reached out to me and said he was struggling, and could I help him in any way.”

He then used his large following to promote small businesses through these boxes that he creates with a selection of his top picks.

The Bolton News:

Simon added: “It’s all fell into place with me wanting to be happier in lockdown and wanting to help a mate.”

He recalled a time when he was homeless and says that he “would have appreciated a helping hand” and wants to do what he can for small businesses.

He added: “I was homeless and if somebody had of helped me back then I might not be the person I am today, but I would have appreciated a helping hand.

“These people have worked really hard, and they’ve had confidence in themselves to open a business, and then I just think they’re getting penalised with the cost-of-living crisis.”

Since starting the venture, he has amassed 146,000 followers on Instagram, 424,000 on TikTok, and millions of views on his videos.

He has travelled all over including Scotland, Bedford, Birmingham, and now Bolton.

The Bolton News:

But he also says that a couple of years ago he wouldn’t have pictured himself even having such a presence on social media and being an influencer.

Bolton is also close to his heart after living in the area for a while, and he says that he has some good and bad memories here but was glad to come back to help the Indian takeaway.

He added: “My nan passed away last year, and she was born and bred in Bolton, so I have got some really good memories, as well as the bad ones.

“I’m glad to come back to Bolton.”

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.