A popular local business, famed for its huge sandwiches and for serving some of the best burgers in Manchester, has been forced to close after its rent rocketed in price.
Super Happy has been based at the counter at Ducie Street Warehouse since September, brought to life by the team behind Batard.
Since they’ve been there, they’ve also branched out into the smashed burger world, launching Now That’s A Burger from the same site.
But now Super Happy has announced that it has just a few days of trading left after its rent ‘essentially doubled’.
The team said they’ve been trying to ‘find a way (any way) to make it work’ but the ‘numbers just don’t add up’.
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They’ll now close before Christmas and will be taking a break while they try and find a new home for the business.
Super Happy and Now That’s A Burger in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSuper Happy and Now That’s A Burger in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSuper Happy and Now That’s A Burger in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote in an Instagram post titled ‘Bye for now’: “Bit of naff news but this week will be our last for a while. Pretty gutted tbh.
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“Last week we were informed by our landlord that our rent will essentially be doubling starting on the 31st of this month. We’ve tried to find a way (any way) to make it work here but it just doesn’t seem that’s possible right now.
“The numbers just don’t add up unfortunately. On such short notice, after a rebrand and only just settling in at a new unit we just aren’t able to adjust and continue trading going in to January. Soooo we are wrapping up here for Xmas a bit prematurely.
“We’ve been lucky to build a truly incredible and talented team. So we don’t plan on stopping for good (but who knows) hopefully just taking a little break whilst we sort out a space we can call home.
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“So for this week come say hello/goodbye. Grab a sandwich, a bake or a burger and see us off in style.”
Super Happy bake all their bread daily, from house-made hoagie rolls to potato brioche buns, as well as making the own pickles, burger ‘super sauce’ and buttermilk-fried chicken.
Their sweet bakes are also the stuff of legend, including a fudgy chocolate cake and choux pastry crullers.
Since they shared the news, Super Happy has been bombarded with comments from fellow business-owners and customers.
They wrote: “ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT TO GRAB A FRESHLY BAKED HOAGIE AND SOME TOP FILLINGS FROM US.
“We have had such an amazing response to our other post so we think there’s a high chance we’ll be back in the new year, but we can’t guarantee when. May even have a found a permanent spot for us and @nowthatsaburger – but we might need your help to make it happen…
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“In the meantime, come enjoy this menu with us and say an early farewell to 2022. It’s been a trip.”
The Manc has approached Ducie Street Warehouse for comment.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Eats
Hawksmoor issues statement after ‘kicking out’ Tommy Robinson from one of its restaurants
Hawksmoor has issued a statement after a viral video captured far-right activist Tommy Robinson being asked to leave one of its restaurants.
In the video, staff at the acclaimed British steak house told Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – that he would have to go because members of staff feel uncomfortable serving you’.
The supervisor then politely told the party not to worry about the drinks and that they had been paid for, also handing over a business card for Hawksmoor CEO Will Beckett in case they wanted to discuss the matter further.
Robinson was dining in one of the group’s London restaurants with former prominent EDL member Guramit Singh Kalirai who challenged the staff and asked: “Is it because of the colour of my skin?”
The supervisor responded: “No, no, no. We have a duty of care to our members of staff. We like to look after our people, as I’m sure you can understand.”
After the video went viral on X, Hawksmoor went on to share a statement in response, saying that guests and staff ‘felt uncomfortable and complained’.
The statement, signed by CEO Will Beckett, added that the Hawksmoor team has faced ‘a huge amount’ of ‘quite concerning’ fallout from the Tommy Robinson incident.
He added that ‘this was not about politics or beliefs’.
Hawksmoor’s statement reads: “Our focus is always to give the best restaurant experience to the most people possible.
“On Thursday, a public figure was asked to leave one of our restaurants because guests and staff felt uncomfortable and had complained. The party left peacefully and politely on request.
“This was not about politics or beliefs. Hawksmoor is not a political organisation; we’re a group of restaurants. We want to welcome as many people as possible, regardless of background or views, to our teams or as our guests.
“We’re not trying to engage in a public debate. The team has had to deal with a huge amount of fallout from this, some of which is quite concerning. We would like to get back to focussing on looking after those people, and our guests. Thank you to them, and the many of you who have been so supportive.”
A food and drink festival shining a spotlight on independent businesses is returning to Greater Manchester this summer.
Following the success of last year’s tasty debut, Urmston’s very-own independent food and drink festival, YUM! – Your Urmston Matters, is back for its second serving later this month, and will once again be transforming the Trafford town’s M41 site on Railway Road into a buzzing hub of ‘flavour, fun, and local pride’.
Organised by Love Urmston and hosted by Urmston resident and food and drink presenter, Matty White, this community celebration will bring together top local street food vendors, artisan producers, and drink retailers, alongside live cooking demos, family activities, and loads of entertainment.
Now in its second year, YUM! continues to shine a spotlight on Urmston’s indie food scene and the passion of the people behind it, but as well as local residents, it also invites the rest of Trafford and the wider Greater Manchester community to come together.
So whether you just live down the road, or you are discovering the town for the first time, everyone is welcome to pop down.
“Bringing YUM! back for a second year is incredibly exciting,” commented Fred Davids, who is the Chair of the Love Urmston committee.
“It’s a brilliant way to celebrate what makes Urmston special – its community, and fantastic food and drink scene, welcoming people from near and far to experience the town at its best.
“And as a committee, we’re proud to support our incredible local independent businesses who put their heart and soul into everything they do.”
YUM! is returning to Urmston for another delicious festival this month / Credit: Emma Boyle (via Supplied)
Just some of the independent businesses you’ll find at the festival throughout the day include English Rose Bakery, Inforno Pizzeria, Dan’s Cookies, Banga Curries, JJ’s Caribbean Kitchen, The Greek Village, Pomona Island Brewery, Kelder Wines, and so many more.
The festival is also proudly sponsored by Gecko Homes – a north west property developer that specialises in creating affordable and shared ownership homes across many of Manchester’s most popular suburbs.
You can read more about what Gecko Homes is doing across the region here.
Daisy Jackson -
15th December 2022 
