Tom Ogden, of Blossoms fame, and his wife Katie are preparing to open the doors to Bohemian Arts Club, a new cocktail bar in Stockport.
The stunning speakeasy has taken shape in a formerly derelict three-storey building on Coopers Brow, transforming a run-down space into a luxury and intimate venue.
While the ground floor is occupied by a new Bohemian hair salon for stylist Katie, the top two floors have been given a stylish makeover, all soft terracotta walls and marble window frames.
Set to open this weekend, the couple’s personalities and tastes are stamped all over Bohemian Arts Club, from the mirror-tiled doors and ceilings to the heart-shaped chairs hand-made by Katie’s mum and dad.
Even the concise 12-strong cocktail menu has been inspired by the people and places who are special to Tom and Katie, like the ‘Feral’, which is a tribute to Katie’s dad, and ‘George’s Marvellous Medicine’, named after their dog.
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The couple met and married in Stockport, so it was a natural choice for their first bar together.
Katie told The Manc: “We’ve been so inspired by all these cool little speakeasies we’ve been to across the world. We love all those bars hidden away down a little alleyway or a secret door.
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“For us, we’ve lived in Stockport all of our lives, and for me it felt like a gap in the market to have a really nice cocktail with a decor that matched.”
Speaking of this weekend’s opening, Tom added: “We feel excited… slash relieved. It’s been a long two years. You go from being really excited and dreaming up this idea, visiting all these other bars for inspiration – and then your life becomes an episode of Grand Designs for ages.
“I’ll be excited to get back to writing songs again after this!”
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The entire space, hidden up a small flight off stairs off the historic cobbled streets of Underbanks, has been designed by Katie. There are marble surfaces, tainted mirrors, plush fabrics and dim lighting.
Alongside the core dozen cocktails is a selection of classics, plus wines and beers, all delivered via table service.
Cocktails at Bohemian Arts Club. Credit: The Manc GroupTom and Katie Ogden outside Bohemian Arts Club in Stockport. Credit: The Manc GroupA selection of Bohemian Arts Club cocktails. Credit: The Manc Group
Tom added: “Katie and I met and married in Stockport, it’s where everything started for the band, it’s our home town; the place means a lot to us.
“There’s something special in the air at The Underbanks; the shops, restaurants and bars opening here have a certain charm about them, as do the people visiting.
“When we found this spot we knew it was perfect for the vision we had in mind and we can’t wait to welcome in guests to our own little gem in the heart of the town that holds such a special place in our hearts.”
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Bohemian Arts Club opens on Saturday 27 May. It will be open 5pm-11.30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-1.30am on Fridays, 2pm-1.30am on Saturdays, and 2pm-11.30pm on Sundays.
A sports bar dedicated to women’s sports is opening in Stockport
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new women’s-led sports bar is opening in Stockport, marking a first for the North.
Rita Ray’s will be joining the line-up at Weir Mill, the new neighbourhood from Capital & Centric on the banks of the River Mersey.
While women’s sport has grown in popularity in recent years, Rita Ray’s founder says that ‘the spaces to watch it haven’t caught up’.
And so, this new sports bar concept has been born, with all the buzz of a classic sports bar but with women’s sport on the big screens.
The venue will be family-friendly by day, before shifting into a lively social hangout with great drinks, music, and post-matchday energy by night.
It plans to become a community cornerstone too, hosting things like run clubs, classes, quiz nights, book clubs, pop-ups, and community meet-ups.
Founder of Rita Ray’s, Becky Brown, has named the bar after her grandparents Rita and Ray, who loved life, games, golf, and good company.
She says there’s ‘nothing like this in the North at the moment’.
Rita Ray’s sports bar is the second independent venture announced for Weir Mill this month alone – Italian restaurant The Social Trattoria is also heading to Stockport this year.
Becky said: “Women’s sport has grown massively, but the spaces to watch it haven’t caught up.
“There’s nothing like this in the North at the moment, and Stockport and the Weir Mill neighbourhood felt like the perfect spot – creative, independent, and full of character. Rita Ray’s is about sport, community, and inclusion.”
Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “Rita Ray’s is exactly the kind of bold, indie concept we love bringing into our neighbourhoods. It’s a brilliant addition to Weir Mill and a great example of the independent operators helping shape this new part of Stockport.”
Cllr Micheala Meikle, Cabinet Member for regeneration, skills and economy, said: “Seeing the North’s first independent bar dedicated to women’s sport choose Weir Mill is a fantastic vote of confidence in Stockport.
“This kind of bold, community‑minded business will add to the growing sense of place we’re creating here – an inclusive space where everyone can come together to enjoy sport, meet friends, and feel part of something special.
“This is exactly what regeneration should deliver: new jobs, strong independents and more reasons for people to spend time in our town centre, while keeping the character that makes Stockport what it is.
“Investment of this quality shows the direction we’re heading and the momentum we’re building, ensuring Stockport remains a vibrant, welcoming and thriving place for residents, visitors and businesses alike.”
Rita Ray’s is all set to open this summer at Weir Mill in Stockport, just in time to roar on the Three Lions.
Mexican chain Wahaca might be returning to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Mexican chain might be returning to Manchester, six years after its closure.
The much-loved restaurant group is eyeing up new locations in our city, as well as sites in Cambridge, Glasgow, and Birmingham.
Retail and leisure agency P-Three has been tasked with sourcing new sites across the UK for Wahaca, which had to permanently close 10 locations in the midst of the pandemic.
Wahaca restaurants that closed included its popular location in the Corn Exchange in Manchester.
Wahaca was founded in London almost 20 years ago, by MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby.
Its menu showcases food from across Mexico, with restaurants that are inspired by the modern bustling culture seen in contemporary Oaxaca.
It’s also the UK’s first carbon-neutral restaurant group and multiple-time winner of the UK’s most sustainable restaurant group.
P-Three is looking for large restaurant units (2,500-4,500 sq ft) which Wahaca can move back into as it brings its vibrant food back across the UK once again.
Wahaca might be returning to Manchester. Credit: Wahaca
Thomas Rose, co-founder at P-Three, commented: “Wahaca has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s most authentic and lively restaurant groups, offering diners a bold, fresh and modern take on Mexican street food.
“A longstanding client of P-Three, we are excited to be supporting Wahaca with this next phase of growth and look forward to helping them bring their concept to new cities and locations across the UK.”
Mark Selby, Co-founder & Chairman at Wahaca, added: “After the huge success of our Paddington opening in 2024 and the incredible feedback on Wahaca Reimagined across our 14 individually designed restaurants, we are excited to be once again looking to bring Wahaca’s unique restaurant experience to different areas of the UK.
“We want to find buildings that lend themselves to our distinctive look and feel and know that P-Three will do an excellent job bringing that vision to life.”
Daisy Jackson -
22nd May 2023 
