Born out of chance and circumstance, over the past seven years Little Window Alty has become a staple for regulars at Altrincham’s Market House. That is, until Wednesday night when it announced it will be closing up shop for good.
Leaving fans of its inventive, ingredient-led salads, soups, large plates and snacks bereft, the team shared an emotive post to the Little Window Alty Instagram page saying that now felt like the right time to hang up their aprons.
Describing their time running Little Window as ‘an incredible journey in food’, they thanked their audience for the support and spoke about their pride in the food they have created whilst reflecting nostalgically at how, a little over seven years ago, Little Window was born.
They wrote: “A little over 7 years ago the honestcrustsourdoughpizza team, still very much in its infancy, started using the vacant unit in the corner of @altymarket to mix and roll dough. Then came a little chalk menu with a couple salads and snacks. And so Little Window was born.
“That became the start of an incredible journey in food for us. We took on some great suppliers, some excellent people and bought some lovely cookbooks. Over the years we’ve built an audience that we’re really proud of.
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Sharing images of different chefs who’ve worked for them over the years, the team sang the praises of those who’ve passed through the kitchen – tagging prestigious Manchester eateries and bars with whom they now work.
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The Creameries, The Moor Cock Inn, Sugo, Flawd, Pollen, The Pack Horse at Hayfield, Cinderwood Market Garden and Isca Wines all got an honourable mention.
The post continued: “@hammancheese will open her own space in Marple later this year. Lucky Marple.
“If you’ve eaten with us in the past few years and enjoyed what you’ve had it’s almost certainly down to Beth. She is the single most talented, intuitive and naturally gifted cook I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside.
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“I expect if you’ve read this far and not skipped to the end you’ll know what’s coming. This Friday will be the final day of Little Window.
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s joined us for food in that 7 years. A massive thank you to Jen and Nick @altymarket who’s encouragement, feedback and support have been so instrumental in our progress. Thanks to our amazing suppliers. And thanks and love to all our team, wherever they are now.
Manchester’s AO Arena scoop up Take That as Keane’s Co-op Live gig is cancelled in ongoing venue saga
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s existing arena, the AO Arena, has stepped in to host more concerts that have been postponed by Co-op Live, with yet another act being cancelled too.
First it was A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, announced earlier today and now, in perhaps the most damning twist of fate for the brand-new venue, Take That’s five-night run that was set for the Co-op Live this May has now been moved to the AO Arena.
Their two June dates at the new arena are said to be unaffected.
The Co-op Live‘s official opening has been hit with several delays, with events like Peter Kay’s double bill, Olivia Rodrigo and The Black Keys all already postponed over the last week or so.
Issuing a statement after rescuing multiple Take That shows, AO Arena general manager Jen Mitchell, said: “It wouldn’t be a Take That tour without a stop-off in Manchester, so it’s great to welcome the band and their fans back to AO Arena for five nights, in the heart of this wonderful city.”
The venue has naturally welcomed the sudden flood of extra names being added to its already strong lineup for 2024, doing its best to minimise inconvenience for gig-goers who have made travel arrangements, booked hotels etc.
As for the group themselves, they also responded to their tens of thousands of fans expecting to see them from this weekend onwards.
Confessing that they’ve had to make “the difficult decision” to switch venues and although “it’s not one [they’ve taken lightly], they wanted to give fans as much notice as possible”, adding: “We thank you for your understanding and we’ll see you all soon”.
Meanwhile, Noughties favourites Keane have sadly had to shelve their Manchester show for the foreseeable following the venue’s continuing “technical issues”.
Announcing the news on their social pages on Thursday evening, they admitted that they were “absolutely gutted” but that the decision was “entirely out of the control”.
Notably, the huge new venue by the Etihad Stadium had to turn away fans who were already queueing for A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on Monday 1 May, after part of an air conditioning unit fell from the ceiling onto a (thankfully) empty arena floor.
Question marks had already been hanging over whether some upcoming gigs would be able to go ahead and now it seems that they will be taking place – just not at the Co-op Live…
Manchester’s decades-old AO Arena, the largest indoor venue in the UK (until the Co-op Live opens), will be welcoming Keane to its stage instead.
With so many people having been pitting the two venues against one another over the last weeks and months, let’s just say it’s quite clear who’s come out looking better at the minute…
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation
Danny Jones
Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has confirmed that his cancelled Co-op Live gig has now been moved to Manchester’s AO Arena this weekend.
After suddenly being lined up as the venue’s first official gig after the postponement of both Peter Kay and The Black Keys, the American hip-hop artists’ show ended up going the same as the others previously scheduled for the new arena and being pulled at the last minute.
With guests being turned away from the still-yet-to-open Co-op Live Arena just hours before the show was set to start, and Olivia Rodrigo fans being given the same unfortunate news ahead of her gig this Saturday, ABWDH has taken matters into his own hands.
Announcing the rescheduling of his concert on X, the 28-year-old artist confirmed that Wednesday night’s gig has now been relocated to Co-op’s main rival, the AO Arena.
Set to take place on Saturday, the artist – which just so happens to be his first name (yes, seriously) – had a simple message for his fans: “We won’t give up that easy, let’s go!”.
Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the venue – which is set to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the largest in Europe when it finally does open – from announcing more events over the coming months and well into 2025.
Confirming the show on their social pages, the AO simply promised, “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here.”
The AO Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entire world in the course of its existence and recently underwent a £50m refurbishment that included the launch of The Mezz.
Safe to say this presents an interesting twist in events when so many people have been pitting the two venues against one another.
Question marks have been hanging over whether more upcoming gigs, like Keane on Sunday 5 May, and then a five-night run of gigs from Take That will still be able to go ahead.
It remains to be seen whether other artists will follow suit in moving their shows should more cancellations/postponements be announced.
You can recap everything that’s happened so far down below: