Ancoats has lost another great independent – chocolate cafe Cocoa Cabana has announced it’s taken the ‘difficult decision’ to shut down in the trendy neighbourhood.
The popular spot, famed for its chocolate-laden afternoon teas, Dubai pistachio bars, and smores platters (to name a few), said that it has become ‘unsustainable’ to continue operating in Ancoats.
Cocoa Cabana said that’s it’s been faced with a 200% increase the cost of chocolate, along with increases in the prices of ingredients, wages, and business rates.
And so they’re taking the decision to ‘downsize and refocus’ after ‘incredibly challenging years’.
Their West Didsbury site will remain open, as will their online store and their Selfridges Trafford Centre concession where you can buy their artisan chocolate products.
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Founder Sarah said: “On a personal note, after 12 years of running Cocoa Cabana, this decision comes with a lot of emotion – but also hope.
“I’m looking forward to the chance to focus on our chocolate, new opportunities and maybe even take a little time to spend with family and friends.
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“Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported us in Ancoats. You’ve made this journey incredibly special.”
Pistachio Dubai bars at Cocoa CabanaChocolate fondue at Cocoa Cabana in AncoatsThe cafe in Ancoats was famed for its viral, indulgent sweet treats
Taking its place will be Spanish restaurant Can Petit, which has already been operating as an evening pop-up in the space.
The closure of Cocoa Cabana follows a difficult run for the neighbourhood, which has lost the likes of Sugo Pasta Kitchen (then Rigatoni’s), Hip Hop Chip Shop, and Trove in the last year.
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Thankfully there are still some great new businesses moving in, such as Bruco, Ancoats Deli, and Bangkok Diners Club.
You can read the full statement on the closure of Cocoa Cabana Ancoats below
It’s with a heavy heart that we’re announcing the closure of our Ancoats venue, with our final day of service on Sunday 8th June.
We opened our doors in 2019 with big dreams and so much excitement, creating a beautiful space we were truly proud of. Sadly, just six months later, we were forced to close during Covid. Like many in hospitality, the years that followed have been incredibly challenging.
Despite our best efforts, the rising costs of ingredients, wages, business rates – and a 200% increase in the cost of chocolate – have made it unsustainable for us to continue operating in Ancoats. As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to downsize and refocus.
We’ve loved being part of the vibrant Ancoats food scene and while we’re sad to say goodbye, we’re genuinely thrilled to be handing over the reins to @canpetit_ – a fantastic Spanish tapas venture that’s already been making waves as an evening pop-up in our space. Led by the incredibly talented chefs David and Jorge, we know they’ll continue to bring something special to the neighbourhood.
Our West Didsbury site remains open as usual (where all gift vouchers remain valid) and you can still shop online or visit us at our Trafford Centre concession at Selfridges 7 days a week.
On a personal note, after 12 years of running Cocoa Cabana, this decision comes with a lot of emotion – but also hope. I’m looking forward to the chance to focus on our chocolate, new opportunities and maybe even take a little time to spend with family and friends.
Thank you so much to everyone who’s supported us in Ancoats. You’ve made this journey incredibly special. 💗🙏🏻
Greggs confirms Festive Bakes return date as it unveils 2025 Christmas menu
Emily Sergeant
Greggs has unveiled its Christmas menu for 2025, and that means the Festive Bake is back again in all its glory.
The UK’s most-popular high street bakery chain has officially revealed its festive food and drink offering for the 2025 season, and there’s a few brand-new goodies joining the lineup this year, along with the return of some undeniable fan favourites.
And of course, nothing spells Christmas at Greggs quite like the Festive Bake, right?
The chain’s classic crumb-coated pastry filled with chicken, sage and onion stuffing, and sweetcure bacon in a creamy sage and cranberry sauce goes down an absolute treat each year, and is a serious fan-favourite, so it’s no surprise it’s made a comeback for 2025.
Thankfully for plant-based foodies, the Vegan Festive Bake has also made a comeback, but this year under a slightly different name – the Vegan Lattice (Festive Edition).
Greggs has unveiled its Christmas menu for 2025 / Credit: Greggs
Despite the new name, the flavours have stayed the same, as the Vegan Festive Lattice is puff pastry filled with savoury-flavour Quorn mycoprotein pieces, sage and onion stuffing balls, and vegan bacon, finished with a mouth-watering cranberry and red onion sauce.
Another returning Greggs festive favourite this year is the Christmas Lunch Baguette, which is a freshly-baked baguette ‘jam-packed full of festive flavours’, alongside last year’s newest addition, the Festive Flatbread – which is filled with sage and onion-style chicken, sweetcure bacon, mayo and cranberry and red onion relish.
When it comes to sweet treats, Greggs really does take some beating, as the lineup is full of tasty cakes, muffins, biscuits, and more.
Some of the stand-out newbies this year include the Gingerbread Muffin, and the Christmas Mini Caramel Shortbreads, while returning for more is the indulgent Chocolate & Hazelnut Flavour Doughnut, the Christmas tree and start-shaped biscuits, and of course, the classic Sweet Mince Pies.
The festive drinks lineup this year includes the popular Mint mochas and hot chocolates, and the Salted Caramel Latte.
Gingerbread returns for 2025 too, and you can get Gingerbread Lattes both hot and iced, as well as a Gingerbread Flat White.
All drinks are topped with whipped cream, and come with a range of festive sauces and toppings.
The 2025 Greggs Christmas menu will be available to tuck into across the UK from 6 November and will run right up until the new year.
Featured Image – Greggs
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Mongrel – New taproom and pizzeria set to move into the former Street Urchin site
Daisy Jackson
A brand new taproom, coffee shop and pizzeria concept has announced plans to move into Ancoats.
Mongrel will come from the same team behind Crust, a much-raved-about pizza joint that operated off a Stockport industrial estate until earlier this year.
They’ve now confirmed they have their sights set on the city centre, specially the magnificent corner unit that was previously home to the beloved Street Urchin.
Street Urchin suddenly closed earlier this year after co-founder and head chef Kevin suffered a heart attack, leaving them ‘unable to continue as a business’.
Rachel Choudhary, Kevin’s partner and co-founder of the neighbourhood restaurant, wrote at the time that they were ‘heartbroken’ to close the business.
Street Urchin was quietly one of the top restaurants in Ancoats and operated in a market diner fashion, creatively cooking the best catch of the day for an ever-changing menu that honoured each season.
Thankfully, this key corner unit won’t be quiet for much longer, with another local operator now lined up to move in.
Inside Street Urchin before its closure – the site will now become a pizzeria called Mongrel. Credit: The Manc Group
Mongrel has so far shared that it’s set to be a ‘coffee shop, pizza place and taproom, all under one roof’.
Upon closing Crust in Stockport they confirmed this will be ‘a huge step up from the Crüst you know and love’.
They posted on Instagram: “Thanks to everyone who’s popped down over the last year. We’re eternally grateful for the support from our fantastic customers, and will look back on this period with huge gratitude.
“It’s with great sadness that we announce our departure from Stockport. We know this will come as a disappointment to our Crüst family – we haven’t made this decision lightly.
“We have been looking for a new premesis in Stockport for a while, however after multiple applications going nowhere, we have finally found a new home in Manchester City Center!
“Our new home will be a huge step up from the Crüst you know and love… We can’t to reveal what’s to come!
Mongrel is set to open its taproom and pizzeria on Great Ancoats Street, in the former Street Urchin site, in November.
Daisy Jackson -
15th May 2025 
