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’.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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…
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display
Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it.
The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure.
Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap.
And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.
Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub.
As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots.
There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet.
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pubDelicious spring drinksInside The Tavern at The Black Friar
A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals.
Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta.
And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut.
Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce.
“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar.
“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”
Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather!
“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”
To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE.
Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.
With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.
Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.
They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.
The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.
And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.
Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.
They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”
They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.
British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.
A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
15th December 2022 
