Business

The beautiful private office in the heart of Manchester’s coolest coworking space

The best of both worlds.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 13th January 2023

Manchester’s coolest coworking space – which comes with a Michelin-trained chef in the cafe – has a beautiful new office space up for grabs that offers the best of both worlds. 

Use.Space’s brand new office within its building near Piccadilly is the perfect size for a small local business looking to take that little step up from hot-desking. 

The space has room for six staff and is decorated in sunny yellow, with designer wallpaper and tonnes of natural light. 

And while it comes with a door you can actually shut for some privacy, it’s right in the heart of Use.Space’s creative hub.

Other spaces in Use.Space’s Manchester office. Credit: The Manc Group

That means that you have access to all the facilities on offer, from the cafe (with food from Michelin-trained chef Laurie Curtis, of Manchester Pasta Co) to the Business Support Programme, where you can speak to experts in all sorts of industries for advice and guidance – while still having the peace and quiet and dedicated space needed to run a business. 

The dog-friendly building, just an eight minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly (but with free car parking for those who drive), is broken down into hot desks, private offices, event space, meeting rooms and breakout areas.

The private office space that’s up for grabs at Use.Space. Credit: Supplied

Beyond the six-seater private office set slightly back from the buzz of the coworking space, the spaces at Use.Space include the Mindful Green Room (with a meeting space inside an indoor greenhouse), the Meet-Up Cafe filled with colourful furnishings and plants, and even a ‘Garden of Wonderland’ outdoor space. 

Use.Space was founded in 2019 by Manchester entrepreneur David Walter, who wanted to create a coworking space that was also a community, a hub of information and a business network.

He said of the private office that’s up for rent: “The best of both worlds for you and your team, a stylish private office, in the heart of a thriving coworking community. 

“Close your door and you have your own private and well-appointed office for six, with free car parking included. Open your door and you enter an inspirational coworking space with an active business community of SME’s, start-ups and freelancers and access to meeting rooms, breakout spaces, cafe area and kitchen facilities.”

There’s a choice of memberships available. For more information contact Community Manager Archie Hyndman, email [email protected], call 07712 177701, or visit usespace.co.uk.

Featured image: The Manc Group

Business

Kala announces closure after more than half a decade in Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Another hit for the Manchester hospitality sector as city centre cult favourite Kala has announced it has closed with immediate effect.

The Manc bistro, beloved for putting a contemporary slant on British and French classics, was opened by restaurateur Gary Usher back in 2021, receiving plenty of positive press over the years.

Perhaps the most notable bit of praise it received was from renowned food writer Jay Rayner, who said it “quietly feeds you well”. But that was part of the problem: it was too quiet, unfortunately.

Announcing the shutdown on Tuesday evening (24 June), Usher shared an extended statement on social media, explaining the details behind the decision – but there was one, clear, overriding reason.

Confirming the news on Instagram, the chef-owner wrote: “Gary Usher here.. It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the immediate closure of Kala. I’m not really sure how to explain why we’ve closed other than we weren’t busy enough to cover our costs.

“I really really want to blame the economy and the pandemic. I really want to say the rising costs have made it impossible. All those factors haven’t helped, but we are 50% down in trade at Kala, and that is the killer.”

This isn’t the first of the St Albans-born chef’s locations to close either, as his Burnt Truffle venue on the Wirral also shut back in January.

Nevertheless, Kala’s reputation has remained strong throughout, boasting one of the best elevated albeit accessible evening and lunch deals in the city centre, not to mention at very reasonable prices.

Moreover, they were famed for their stunning Sunday dinners, with Sacha Lord dubbing them the best roasts in Manchester he’s had “in ages.”

Sacha Lord hails Manchester restaurant for serving up ‘the best Sunday roast’ he’s had ‘in ages’
That perfectly blushed beef was incredible.

Usher goes on to add: “It goes without saying our business rates [are] increasing substantially, and the hike in NIC [national insurance] contributions only works against us. This was not planned, but neither was us being this quiet in June. All the Kala team will be paid up to date, our rent & suppliers too.

“If you have a voucher with us, as always, it can be used in the wider group. It was always a dream to have a restaurant on King Street in Manchester. I just wish it had lasted longer than 6 years.

“Thank you to all the team past & present & I’m so sorry to all of you and all the guests that I couldn’t create something with longevity.

“Please come and visit us in Didsbury at Hispi where it will be our pleasure to welcome you. Farewell, King Street. Farewell Kala. Gary.”

Kala closing marks yet another local business we’re gutted to see go, as it was only earlier this month that we had to bid goodbye to both Medlock Canteen and Indian street food spot, Rola Wala, which closed on Monday.

Safe to say it’s been a gutting few days for local food and drink.

With that being said, please do support the Elite Group’s remaining restaurants where you can, which include the aforementioned Hispi, The Sticky Walnut in Chester, The White Horse in the Cheshire village of Churton, as well as Wreck in Liverpool.

All we can say is thanks for the memories and the brilliant food.

Inside Gary Usher’s cosy new village boozer The White Horse at Churton
Kala may be closed but this nearby gem is still well worth the trip.

Read more:

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Business

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts as a ‘thank you’ following its cyber attack

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts to say ‘thank you’ for their cooperation during the recent cyber attack disruption.

Last month, the supermarket retailer’s stock was massively affected due to what was described as ‘malicious attempts by hackers to access [its] systems’, leaving shelves of stores across the UK bare, and payments by shoppers disrupted.

The company called it a ‘highly complex situation’, and also confirmed that hackers stole personal data – including members’ names and contact details.

The Co-op was just one business to be hit by cyber attacks this year, with other major ones affecting several other retailers like Marks & Spencer and Harrods.

Co-op is offering shoppers £10 discounts as a ‘thank you’ following its cyber attack / Credit: Co-op (via Flickr)

Now that Co-op’s 2,300 food stores nationwide have successfully returned to usual trading, the retailer wants to show gratitude to its 6.5 million members who supported the business while the attack was taking place.

To say ‘thank you’, Co-op is offering its members a 25% discount on a £40 shop, meaning they can get £10 off their purchases.

“I’m very proud that, thanks to the work of our colleagues, we are very near to making a full and complete recovery from the recent cyberattack on our Co-op,” commented Co-op’s Managing Director of Food, Matt Hood, “and I’m delighted to see our stores looking back to normal and being able to serve our shoppers and communities.

“We are so grateful to our member owners for their support and patience with us during what was a very difficult time.

“I hope this gesture of appreciation goes a little way to showing them our thanks, with more value rewards to come over the summer.”

The 25% offer runs from today (Wednesday 18 June) right through to 24 June at all Co-op stores across the UK, and it can only be used by members one time.

Read more:

The offer is also open to new members who join.

Featured Image – Chris Bull (via Co-op)

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