Cult favourite indie Factory Bake has announced they are shutting their extension site in the city centre, stating that the closure was simply out of their control.
Sat just a stone’s throw away from their main coffee kiosk and serving window attached to clothing and tailor shop, Dooley and Rostron, Factory Bake was up there with one of the most popular places to pick up a sweet treat or a pastry in central Manchester.
Located on King Street West, just across the road from Spinningfields and the likes of Crazy Pedro’s, the bakery window would regularly entice Mancs walking past to nip in for one of their baked goods and, as owner Kendra Groves puts it, would sell out almost every day.
Groves, who you may also know as ‘Wild Child Cakes‘, posted a lengthy statement explaining the decision on their socials while assuring that although this site might be closing, the brand itself remains and will be bouncing back.
Speaking on behalf of the wider Factory team, Aussie-born baker Groves wrote: “With a heavy heart we announce the closing of our extension site Factory Bake.
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“A lot of roadblocks have led us to this decision, none of them being due to the utter popularity, customers and the fact we’ve been blessed enough to sell out almost every day! No, the reasons, unfortunately [have] been completely and utterly out of our control.”
But before you mourn too hard, you can breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge that Kendra and co. full intend to reopen elsewhere, going on to state that “our hope and dream is to open up a location that can be more permanent for us” and will be setting up a Kickstarter campaign to help them do so.
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The aim is for the crowdfunder to help “raise the necessary funds”, adding, “It would mean the world to us if you are able to help us on this scary yet exciting endeavour… your amazing love and support, it means more than you’ll ever know.”
Details surrounding how and where to support the campaign are yet to be revealed but this deliciousness is simply too good not to back.
Most importantly of all, you’ll still be able to get your hands on plenty of Factory Bake goodness in the interim as they assured: “Fear not we are baking off-site and all the yummy baked treats you love so much will be available at Factory Coffee.”
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There really is a lot of love for this independent and passionately run local business and we’re so glad to hear that this closure of their extension site is more of a see you later than a goodbye, as the demand isn’t going anywhere.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that they went somewhat viral after a reviewer gave them one star for essentially being too busy – a comment that they were quick to toast.
Hotly-anticipated new restaurant announces massive 50% discount for Manchester launch
Daisy Jackson
Caravan, a hugely popular brunch and all-day dining restaurant, has announced a big discount for its Manchester diners when it opens its doors here.
The hotly-anticipated eatery, already a big name down in London, has also confirmed the official opening date for its first northern restaurant and roastery.
The massive space in the St John’s neighbourhood will be open from Tuesday 20 August, serving ‘well-travelled’ menu spanning breakfast through to dinner.
Caravan, famed for bringing New Zealand cafe culture to the UK way back in 2009 (including 10/10 coffee and brunches), will be offering 50% off all food bills to celebrate its arrival in Manchester.
The new opening will have a 170-cover restaurant space with floor-to-ceiling windows, a cocktail bar, a private dining room and a full working roastery producing some of the freshest coffees in the city.
Pizzas at Caravan, which is opening in Manchester in August 2024. Credit: SuppliedCaravan is coming to Manchester and has announced a 50% off soft launch discount. Credit: Supplied
Open seven days a week, the menu will feature their famous brunches (including Korean style buttermilk fried chicken with kimchi pancakes; jalapeno cornbread with fried egg and chilli butter; and fry-ups), plus an evening menu of cocktails, seasoned rice bowls, sourdough pizzas and small plates.
Co-founders Chris Ammermann, Laura Harper Hinton and Miles Kirby, all native New Zealanders, will be bringing this all-day Antipodean cafe culture up north very soon.
Caravan will be giving their kitchens a test run between Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 August, with 50% off the food bill in exchange for feedback – you can sign up here.
Caravan Manchester will officially open on Tuesday 20 August.
A bar where you can pull your own pint is opening up in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
In one of the coolest new openings coming to Manchester this month, a bar where you can pull your own pints opens in the city centre on Monday, 7 July.
Oh, and wine – you can pour your own wine too, because we all know how best to measure.
The self-service concept is one that immediately caught our attention, especially as we’ve always fancied our chances of pouring a perfect beer despite having never taken a single step behind a bar in our lives, and it is simply called The Tap House.
Set to span two floors with tons of outside space and a long line of taps for you to choose from, The Tap House will be specialising in local breweries and hard-to-source brews, spotlighting the best of the best from around the region.
With a total of 24 beers, along with 16 wines from their sister site, Another? over in Nottingham, this ‘two bars become one’ concept is a real first for Manchester and will pioneer the self-service scene in the city.
Better yet, they’ve secured a pretty exciting name to help line customers’ stomachs whilst they’re pulling their own pints and sipping on their wine of choice, as Fat Frank’s will also be serving up pizza by the slice as the perfect accompaniment.
In a move to rival the almighty Nell’s, you can also order full-sized 22″ pizzas as well if you’re sharing or, you know, just a greedy little menace like the rest of us.
They’ve also hit a good price point it seems as well, pints ranging from £5.50 upwards, wine starting from £5.80 and a slice of Fat Frank’s Pizza from £4.50.
The Tap Hosue is set to open to the public on Monday, 8 July and is just the latest in a recent trend of new openings on Circle Square, with North Bar, Federal and viral pasta spot Onda.
Co-owner Tom Benjamin described things perfectly ahead of launch day: “Perfect pints you can pour yourself. Delicious pizza by the slice. Wine you’ll love and adore”, adding, “We’re excited to finally open the doors and see The Tap House concept come to life here at Circle Square.”
You’ll definitely find us down there trying to pull the perfect pint for ourselves and if you’re a wine-lover, it’s worth noting that these guys aren’t the only ones offering self-service in Manchester. Great minds think alike.