Eats

Almost Famous announce they are closing their Withington restaurant in candid statement

We admire their honesty but it's no less of a tough one to take.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 13th September 2024

The unfortunate hospitality news just keeps coming, it seems, as Almost Famous have announced they will soon be closing their Withington restaurant.

A staple of the Manchester foodie scene for over a decade now and with a growing empire across the North, the ‘dirty burger’ pioneers aren’t just one of the most recognisable restaurant names in Greater Manchester, they’re tastemakers and have been for years.

However, unlike the OG site in the Northern Quarter which first began blowing burger fans away back in 2012, their Great Northern Warehouse venue or their locations in Leeds, Almost Famous‘ Withington site simply isn’t working.

In truth, their most recent restaurant and fifth all-told had been struggling for a while and it was only back in May that they were thanking customers for helping them ‘pull through’ a rough patch, but it seems they’ve sadly slumped back into being quiet and can no longer continue in this fashion.

Explaining in the lengthy and clearly emotional statement, beloved owner Beau Myers wrote: “Announcement (sad sh***y one, sorry).

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Sorry to say we will be closing the Withington branch of Almost Famous. It’s not working, we’re not busy enough and it’s dragging us down.

“Really sorry to disappoint you guys, we’ve tried and we’ve pushed and you’ve been amazing for supporting us, this just isn’t the one. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up, admit you f****d up, learn from your mistakes limit the damage and move on.

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“We got sucked in with perhaps the most beautiful site ever in the wrong location (for us). It really is/was my fav[ourite] famous and I’m gutted it’s closing, it looks the coolest, we had the staff party there this year. I wish some of the art wasn’t straight on the wall so we could take it with us.”

almost famous withington
Almost Famous Withington will be closing after their final dinner service next weekend. (Credit: The Manc Group)

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They go on to add: “We will be closing after service on Sunday 22nd (next weekend). Please come down and say goodbye and enjoy this beautiful place one last time before it goes forever. There will be drinks and tears and laughs.

Having visited the particular branch a few times ourselves not only in a work capacity but in our own personal time, we can confirm the Withington restaurant had a special charm to it and we’re also very sad to see it go.

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It goes without saying that the comments were filled with support, with one person writing, “This is so sad I’m so sorry: you’ve tried really hard. Sad loss for Withington”, and another adding, “Always sad when a place with friendly staff, serving good food, good drinks and at a reasonable price doesn’t make it… onwards and upwards.”

RIP Almost Famous Withy — we hope you come back one day soon and we’re sure the whole team will bounce back stronger than ever no matter what comes next for the much-loved brand.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Eats/The Manc Group

Eats

Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery – and ‘monumental’ changes

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery - and 'monumental' changes

Get Baked has shared another major update on its move to Manchester – and while things are delayed, the plans are looking bigger than ever.

The viral bakery, famed for its gigantic chocolate ‘Bertha’, was set to open in the Northern Quarter in November.

But they’ve now confirmed the whole process has been delayed until February or spring next year.

The good news is that it’ll be worth the wait – Get Baked is now taking over the unit next door on Stevenson Square too, so it’s an even bigger space for its incredible coffee, pie, and a slice of its legendary 24-layer chocolate cake.

The Leeds-founded brand then teased that they’re bringing ‘monumental changes to our existing offering’ – and ones that ‘nobody will have seen coming’.

Whatever those changes are, they’ll then be rolled out to Get Baked’s Headingley store too.

Summing up what to expect in Manchester, they wrote: “It’ll sort of be like if Greggs shagged Gail’s but it happened in America so there’s sprinkles and unhealthy sh*t just absolutely everywhere.”

And explaining the delay, they said: “I announced the opening of Manchester a few months ago now, and explained that we were hoping for a November opening.

“That obviously hasn’t happened, which is sad, and unfortunately if you miss November, December is a bit of a write off because of Christmas, and so is January because tradespeople like to go back to work half way through the f*cking month.

“In all honesty though, even February is looking unlikely.

“The delay started (oxymoron?) because the renovation of our bakery took a lot longer than planned — we have doubled the size of the space that we moved into earlier in the year, which has been a lot of work, and it’s still ongoing.

“We have already outgrown the newly doubled space, but luckily for us, the unit next door to the one we have just taken, is now up for lease.

Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery - and 'monumental' changes
Get Baked announces delay to first Manchester bakery – and ‘monumental’ changes

“So, we’re taking that space too, which will mean not only will I be sh*tting my pants at the thought of our overheads, but we’ll also be in a position where we can finally rollout stores the way we want to.”

Their statement also said: “In regard to the pending concept changes, I’ll leave you with this…

“In 2021 when I restarted Get Baked, I had a vision to create my own version of Greggs.

“Greggs is a truly wonderful situation, but it’s got too big for its boots in many ways hasn’t it.

“I’ve never been able to live out my fantasy of creating my version of Greggs, but half a million slices of Bruce (and Bertha) later, I’m nearly there. F*ck Greggs?”

You can keep up with the latest updates on Get Baked Manchester HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

A huge Oasis-themed bar and music venue has opened in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

A new bar and gig venue that’s a shrine to all things Oasis is opening in Manchester city centre this week.

From memorabilia from the band’s history to artwork inspired by their work, Definitely Maybe is packed out with nods to the Gallagher brothers.

The bar has taken over the old Black Dog Ballroom site in the Northern Quarter, in the basement unit of Afflecks.

This huge Oasis bar splits into a few sections, from a live music stage to a mini gallery displaying memorabilia and posters.

There’s even a pair of Liam Gallagher’s Tommy Hilfiger pants suspended in one display unit.

Other items on display include one of Noel’s guitars (and a few more signed replicas), a pair of Liam’s maracas, early photography and sketches, and live gig photography.

Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside Definitely Maybe, a new Oasis themed bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

There are even Oasis lyrics scrawled along the wall of the bar, and globe-shaped light fixtures.

You can play pool, make use of the free photobooth, and sip on themed cocktails while feeling like a Rock n Roll Star.

Oasis-inspired cocktails include the Pina Columbia, the Strawberry Lemonade, and the She’s Electric.

Entry to the bar costs £5, but you’ll get a drinks token in return – or you can buy a membership for the rest of the year for just £6.

Definitely Maybe is already a well-loved name in Bolton and now it’s here in the city centre ready to help you live our your Rock n Roll Star dreams.

Oasis mania is alive and well down here.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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