Much-loved Levenshulme wine bar Isca has announced it’s closing the doors of its Stockport Road restrurant after five years.
The intimate, independent venue has said in a statement shared today that their rent is set to increase by a whopping 80%.
This, coupled with building work ‘disturbing’ their opening hours, has led to Isca announcing that they ‘cannot continue to operate’.
Isca has operated from 825 Stockport Road for more than five years, but it’s coming to ‘an abrupt close’.
But the renowned wine bar and small plates restaurant then softened the blow significantly by announcing that they have already found a new home.
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It means the Isca will only be closed for ‘a short while’, while the team move in to a bigger space, thankfully still in the Levenshulme neighbourhood.
They’ve said that with their new, larger space they’ll be able to provide a bigger selection of wine, groceries and products, a bigger kitchen, and more events.
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Several local businesses have voiced their support, with The Craft Cheeseman commenting: “So sad that your landlord has behaved this way but it sounds like it’s created an awesome opportunity which is so great to hear. Very exciting times ahead!!”
Local brewery Cloudwater wrote: “So glad to hear there’s a bigger Isca on the way!”
Isca in Levenshulme has announced it’s closing its existing restaurant. Credit: The Manc Group
In their statement, Isca said: “Some important news from us. Please read.
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“Our journey at 825 Stockport rd has come to an abrupt close, unfortunately due to pressure from our current landlord to increase our rent by 80% and their intention on to built an extension on the back of our building during opening hours which would cause disturbance to us, we have decided we cannot continue to operate there.
“As one door closes another door opens, we are very excited to tell you that we are moving up the road to a bigger space at 1032 Stockport rd.
“Our last day at 825 is coming around fast and will be the 28th July. After that we will be closed for a short while whilst we move into our new home. Join us before we close the door on our little space which has served us so well over the last 5 years.
“We will be leaving with fond memories of good times and are very proud of the food we have created, wines we have poured and events we have hosted in that space.
“A bigger space means we can increase our offering of wines, groceries and products as well as more seats for our customers, a bigger kitchen and more space to host events, wine tastings, wine makers, collaborations and more!
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“Please do bare with us whilst we settle into our new home during August and get in to our groove. We will be adapting to a new space as we go so opening times may change.
“We do hope you will stroll a bit further up the road to see us. Keep an eye out updates coming up soon.”
Isca is the brainchild of sommelier Caroline Dubois and Chef Isobel Jenkins, who met while working at Michelin-recognised Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In, and have created one of the city’s most respected homes of natural wine.
The Greater Manchester book café serving literary afternoon teas and build-your-own bouquets
Daisy Jackson
If you like your afternoon tea with a side of good books, there’s a Greater Manchester café where you can quite literally have your cake and read it too.
Tucked inside this charming bookish spot, afternoon tea arrives with an unexpected twist. Rather than being presented with the usual three-tiered stand, you’re handed a stack of heavy hardback books.
But don’t start worrying that you’ve accidentally wandered into a very niche library club. The books are hiding something.
Lift the covers in Peony & Parchment – or, more accurately, open the book-shaped boxes – and you’ll discover a full afternoon tea concealed inside.
There are dainty sandwiches to get stuck into, including tiny egg mayo, herby chicken salad, ham and mustard, and cheese and tomato focaccia, alongside a little quiche.
Then comes the scone – classic, fluffy and ready for the obligatory dollop of clotted cream and jam. And, because no afternoon tea should leave you feeling like you’ve been short-changed in the cake department, there are five miniature slices to work through.
Afternoon tea concealed in a stack of booksSome of the other bakes on display
There’s a Victoria sponge with a dreamy vanilla cream, lemon drizzle, rich chocolate cake, a Bakewell slice and a pecan pie, all sourced from a local bakery just across the alleyway.
It’s all served with a pot of tea or coffee, with the option to add a glass of prosecco.
And the bookish theme doesn’t stop at the afternoon tea.
Downstairs you’ll find shelves packed with books, including the intriguing ‘blind books’. Instead of judging a book by its cover, you’ll be given clues and a short summary of what lies inside before taking a gamble on your mystery read.
Downstairs in Peony & Parchment‘Blind books’A role playing village for kids
There’s also plenty here to keep younger visitors entertained, thanks to a children’s area complete with a mini role-playing village.
And if books and cake weren’t enough, there’s another string to this café’s bow.
The Bloom Bar lets you build your own bouquet. Choose the size you want, then wander around selecting your own stems and foliage to create something that’s uniquely yours.
You can build your own bouquetThe Bloom Bar at Peony & Parchment
Of course, you don’t have to be visiting specifically for the afternoon tea. The wider menu includes tapas, full breakfasts and sandwiches, making it just as suitable for a leisurely brunch, lunch or coffee-and-cake stop.
So whether you’re there to discover your next favourite novel, assemble a bouquet, entertain the kids or simply eat your way through five different miniature cakes, this is one café where there are plenty of chapters to explore.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Daisy Jackson -
17th July 2024 
