Legendary burger restaurant Almost Famous has said it’s ‘so grateful’ after it received a huge outpouring of support from customers following a vulnerable post.
The restaurant had said that one of its most beautiful locations was ‘struggling’, and they feared they would have to say goodbye to it for good.
In a heartfelt statement shared online and addressed to people living in south Manchester suburbs, Almost Famous shared a ‘mini cry for help, not a beg’ to help its Withington restaurant keep the doors open.
And just one day later, the burger joint confirmed that the people of Withington ‘pulled through’.
Customers were waiting outside the restaurant before the doors were even open on Wednesday night.
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With just one incredibly honest post, Almost Famous went ‘from an empty restaurant to fully packed’.
They’ve since said that they are ‘so overwhelmed at the support, adding: “I’m not crying it’s the hay fever.”
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Inside Almost Famous in Withington. Credit: The Manc Group
Almost Famous also wrote: “OMG Manchester, this is what makes us special and beautiful, a city that takes care of its own and feels like a giant family. So overwhelmed at the support.
“We love you all so much and you know we are there for you like you are for us.”
Almost Famous opened last year inside a beautiful Grade II-listed building in Withington, which had previously (very briefly) been The Libertine pub.
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Inside, it serves the huge burgers the brand is famed for across the UK, and now also has pool tables, big screens for the Euros, and plenty of food and drink offers.
Their initial post said: “Calling all people of Withington, Chorlton, Fallowfield, Didsbury, South Manchester and beyond! This is a mini cry for help, not a beg. Almost Famous Withington is struggling, it’s the most beautiful of our sites, and we adore it. But we need your love and support to keep its doors open.
“Opening in the suburbs hasn’t been like anything we’ve done before, and while we’re rockin it on Deliveroo, there’s just not enough people coming through to experience the magic in the restaurant. We get it, times are tough for everyone, so we’ve been offering 50% off burgers all the time to give our baby a much-needed boost.
Burgers at Almost Famous in Withington. Credit: The Manc Group
“Withington is the coolest place with an incredible community vibe, and we’re proud to be part of it. It would be heartbreaking to say goodbye, so come down, show some love, grab a half-price burger and have a good time.”
Almost Famous later wrote: “Our hearts are full, we’re so grateful, OMG Manchester, this is what makes us special and beautiful, a city that takes care of its own and feels like a giant family.
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“So overwhelmed at the support. From an empty restaurant to fully packed tonight this is mental and amazing. We love you all so much and you know we are there for you like you are for us.
“We’ll be back at it from midday tomorrow with half price burgers all day. We’re also going to extend our half price birthday burger sale for another month, so you can get 50% off your favs all through June
“We know times are tough for everyone at the moment and we just want to make people happy and make burgers!! Thanks for letting us do this and spreading the word – let’s keep it going and save Withington.”
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Daisy Jackson -
31st May 2024 
