Manchester’s Night Time Economy Advisor Sacha Lord has today launched a Christmas campaign to help save local hospitality businesses.
With rocketing energy bills and food prices caused by inflation compounded by two years of closures during the height of the pandemic, many bars and restaurants have already closed their doors – and more are warning that they are on the brink of following suit.
In response, Manchester’s night tzar and Warehouse Project founder Sacha Lord has launched a new campaign that he hopes will encourage people to put money back into their favourite pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes this Christmas.
Working alongside hospitality businesses from across the Greater Manchester region, his team has coordinated a new campaign that will see people encouraged to buy vouchers for local Manchester businesses as Christmas presents this year.
Sacha Lord pictured outside the old Sankey’s Soap, first opened in 1994 then revived by Sacha Lord and partners in 2000. It closed its doors in 2006. / Image: Sacha Lord Instagram
Manchester steakhouse Hawksmoor will be taking part in this year’s Christmas voucher scheme. / Image: The Manc Eats
These vouchers can then be redeemed over the Christmas season or during the quieter winter months, bringing much-needed revenue into an industry that is currently in dire straits.
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Sacha Lord, the city-region’s Night Time Economy Adviser, said: “Treating loved ones to a night out not only gives them memories to cherish, but will go a long way in supporting local landlords and independent venues across Greater Manchester.
“We all know the difficulties that our favourite restaurants, bars, theatres and hotels are going through, and January is always the bleakest time of the year for the sector.
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“Not only is footfall typically down as people choose to save and stay indoors, but as a result staff often find they aren’t booked for as many shifts as normal.
Today, we’re asking the public to Give The Gift of Going Out.
Let’s stop buying those unwanted Xmas gifts that end up in the cupboard.
“By buying a voucher or putting a deposit down now, we can support the sector through the difficult post-Christmas period, and move away from gifting presents that just sit unwanted in the cupboard.
“What better way to help your favourite venue, and the local workforce, than gifting a loved one an evening out this Christmas.”
Venues confirmed as taking part so far include Hawksmoor, Platzki, Cane & Grain, Abeja Tapas Bar in Stockport and Cocoa Cabana Chocolatiers in Ancoats and Didsbury.
Further businesses taking part include Alex’s Bakery, The Barking Dog Urmston, Atlas Bar, Three Little Words, Albert’s Schloss, Calcio! sports bar, 53Two, Riva Altrincham, A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana in High Peak, WOOD Manchester and Con Club in Altrincham.
A number of cultural institutions are also getting involved, from The Royal Exchange and The Palace Theatre, to The Opera House and The Stoller Hall all contributing vouchers to the scheme. More are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
Feature image – Sacha Lord / Darren Robinson Photography
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Opening date finally confirmed for new Uniqlo store at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Uniqlo is preparing to open its second store in Greater Manchester, and the official launch date has finally been confirmed.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but it was revealed earlier this year in April that Manchester was set to get a second helping.
Uniqlo announced that it would be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre this autumn, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store is set to make Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
When news broke that the hoardings had officially gone up inside the shopping centre, elated shoppers raced to the comments to say things like: “No way! I’ve been waiting years for this.”
Uniqlo is preparing to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: | The Manc Group
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like ‘finally’ and ‘can’t wait’.
And now, we officially have an opening date to share with you.
Uniqlo will open in the Trafford Centre for the first time on Thursday 15 October, with plenty of events happening across its extended opening weekend.
Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performances will be happening throughout the day on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 October, while the first 300 customers to spend over £69.90 in store on the Thursday (15 October) will get a special Uniqlo Manchester goody bag.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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‘Do not let Britain’s independent businesses disappear on your watch’ – Manchester bakery makes heartbreaking plea to Andy Burnham
Clementine Hall
A beloved Manchester bakery has issued an open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget begging him for help.
Barbakan Deli in Chorlton is basically an institution at this point.
The legendary bakery and delicatessen has been serving the community for 62 years, famed for its freshly-baked loaves of bread, its handmade sandwiches, and its pastries and cakes inspired by bakes from across Europe.
Posting on Instagram last night on Thursday 18 September, Frankie Dyer the director of Barbakan, issued an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Images: The Manc Group
It read: “Dear Mr Burnham, As an independent business owner in the hospitality sector, I am begging you to please read this.
“Really read it. And seriously consider what businesses like mine are telling you before the upcoming Budget.”
It continued: “In just the last two years, we have self-funded new bakery machinery, new catering kitchens, essential repairs and renovations and opened a second retail site, creating another six local jobs. We have won more than ten national awards for the quality of what we do.
“We have invested. We have grown. We have employed more people. We have worked harder than ever. In short, Prime Minister, we are doing everything you keep asking British businesses to do.
“And our bank balance is finished. That is the reality.”
The letter finished by Dyer inviting Andy Burnham to come visit the bakery and pleading for a ‘fighting chance’ to save the business: “We need action. We need meaningful reductions in the tax burden placed on employers.
“We need Employer National Insurance looked at urgently. We need a business-rates system which allows independent high-street businesses to survive. We need VAT reform for hospitality. We need Corporation Tax to reward businesses which reinvest, employ and grow.
“And we need proper grants and incentives that help established independent businesses invest and expand — not schemes with endless criteria which most ordinary businesses can never access. We need you to do something.
“And we need more than one token gesture in the Budget. A band-aid for a bullet wound. So I am asking you, Prime Minister, to come back to Manchester and see it for yourself. Pop an apron on and stand behind our counter.
Images: The Manc Group
“Come into our bakery in the middle of the night and meet the people making Manchester’s bread while most of the city is asleep. Look at our payroll, our energy bills, our rates, our supplier increases.
“Look at what leaves our bank account every single week simply for the privilege of keeping 50 people employed and our doors open. You said you wanted a government that understood the regions. You now have an opportunity to prove it.
“Independent businesses across this country are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a fighting chance. I sincerely hope your next Budget gives us one”.
Georgina Pellant -
24th November 2022 
