Eats

Award-winning Manchester pie shop Ate Days A Week has closed

"I took a risk, I took a shot and sometimes these things don’t work out and that’s life sadly. Would I change anything? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Right now, I’m saying no"

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 23rd January 2023

Five-time British Pie Awards winner Ate Days A Week has closed its Manchester city centre pie shop for good after less than a year.

Having first opened in a former chip shop in Stockport, the music-themed pie shop quickly rose to dizzying heights – winning numerous awards and becoming the stuff of legend in Stockport.

As a result, post-pandemic the team decided to close their Vernon Street shop and up-sticks into Manchester city centre.

They took over the former Porky Pig unit by Manchester Town Hall in spring 2022 and received rave reviews from local foodies for their mouthwatering pies, roasts and breakfasts. But sadly, that chapter has now come to an end.

Sharing the news in a long, heart-rending Facebook post on Saturday night, chef-owner Andy James said that he had taken a risk opening the musical-themed pie shop, reflecting that ‘sometimes these things don’t work out’.

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Image: Ate Days A Week
Image: Ate Days A Week

In large part he blamed the cost of living crisis, saying that food and drink costs were ‘rising rapidly’ and ‘utilities are absolutely out of control’, before adding that ‘the landscape of our economy is so obscured it’s frightening.’

The post also spoke of the toll the situation had taken on Andy personally, referring to ‘many sleepless nights’ spent ‘worrying, stressing and searching for ways this could be avoided.’

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And of course, being a musical-themed restaurant, there were a few cheeky song lyrics worked in to ensure Ate Days A Week’s goodbye post was on brand: opening with lyrics Leonard Cohen’s Closing Time and closing with words from Taylor Hawkins’ favourite Foo Fighters track, Aurora.

Read more: Drivers told to ‘plan ahead’ as parts of Mancunian Way will be closed this week

Despite the sad news, however, Andy insisted that it wasn’t all doom and gloom: reassuring fans that there had been no job losses as they had been able to create roles for the full team at their other venues.

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He added that he will be reopening the newly-refurbished Notion next weekend and has plans to bring Ate Days A Week’s Award Winning Pies to delivery platforms throughout Stockport and surrounding areas ‘soon’.

The ‘McPie’ at Ate Days A Week. / Image: Ate Days A Week
The ‘McPie’ at Ate Days A Week. / Image: Ate Days A Week

Commenting that ‘there’s no time to sit around moping’, he also confirmed that Ate Days A Week Pies will be available at venues including Stockport Country football ground, Blinker Bar, Bask, Lawing Deli and more.

Since sharing the post on Saturday evening, it has been liked over 200 times on Facebook alone with people quick to comment with their commiserations.

Badly’s PIes wrote: “Keep your head held high mate.. As you know we are in the same position & having to down size. To me I don’t see failure.. I see a failed government that hasn’t tried to prevent this. Every day I look online places are shutting. It’s a real shame but if we get through this… Which we will, things will be amazing going forward. Here if you need a chat anytime buddy Alex”

Vicky Sweeney-West wrote: “Sorry to hear this … But very happy to see you still have links at County. Treated ourselves to your lamb pie last time out. Mum said best pie she’s ever had … She’s 75 and has eaten many pies!! Keep going mate… Everything works out in the end.”

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Gail Hilton added: “So sorry Andrew, in the time you were there, you made a lot of people very happy with your food, which was exceptional, the economic climate is harsh right now, you poured your heart and soul into your business and understandably the decision you made was crippling, but it’s the right one. Good luck with your new venture, take care.”

Read more: I ate chicken feet and thousand-year-old eggs in Manchester’s Chinatown – and I loved it

As well as holding a number of awards for its pies, Ate Days A Week had recently been named one of the top ten roast dinners in the UK by Rate Good Roasts. Its pies will continue to be available at other outlets across Greater Manchester, despite the closure of the city centre shop.

Feature image – The Manc Group

Eats

Manchester’s first banana pudding bar has opened in the city centre

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Make sure to save room for pudding…because one of the city’s most-talked about dessert brands has found a new home.

Buttercup launched last summer, creating little pots of the hit US dessert made famous by the iconic Magnolia Bakery.

Each dessert features vanilla custard whipped with cream, soft sponge, and fresh banana, which you can then customise with rotating flavours and toppings.

And after a brief disappearance from the Manchester foodie scene, Buttercup is back with a bang with their beautiful new home on Deansgate.

Images: The Manc Group

And when we say beautiful, we really mean it.

Glossy burgundy tiles, butter yellow walls and sleek chrome furniture make up the space beneath the huge arched window, and there’s even a few seats for you to enjoy your pud and watch the world go by.

Open daily from 10am til 10pm, the menu includes three puddings on rotation ready to scoop. 

Images: The Manc Group

Choose from the classic banana, indulgent tiramisu and an ever-changing seasonal special, alongside a wall of toppings for you to customise your own pud. 

Each recipe has been perfected in-house and the proof really is in the banana pudding…because it tastes just as good as it looks. 

Since launching, Buttercup has served around 50,000 puddings, hosted sell-out pop-ups across the city, collaborated with some huge brands, and built a loyal following around its signature build-your-own pudding bar.

Image: The Manc Group

With this new standalone space, you’ll of course be able to indulge in its signature banana pudding, as well as breakfast yoghurt bowls, coffee and matcha.

Officially opening tomorrow Saturday 26 September, the first 50 customers will get a free topping and sauce with the purchase of any pudding, plus a free lip gloss from Manchester-born beauty brand REFY.

Read more: 10 of the best new restaurants, bars and cafes to open in Greater Manchester recently

Featured image – The Manc Group

Eats

‘Remember to support genuine independents’ – Manchester’s rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe announces closure

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Tartuffe at Side Street

Rotisserie chicken bistro Tartuffe has called final orders on its time at popular city centre hangout, Side Street.

Serving some of the best rotisserie chicken in Manchester – ‘sexy chicken’, if you will – Tartuffe first landed at Side Street inside the ABC Building back in the later summer of 2024, and quickly became known and loved by critics and customers alike for not just their rotisserie options, but also their stylish bar snacks and standout sides.

Hungry folk can expect seasonal menus, bistro-style dining, and, in the opinion of our legendary former Takeaway Champion Dean, some of the best sandwiches in Manchester.

But despite being a roaring success these past two years, Tartuffe took to social media this week to announce the end of the ‘longest pop-up ever’, with its final service being tomorrow (25 September).

Tartuffe at Side Street
Tartuffe at Side Street
Tartuffe will be leaving Side Street this Friday / Credit: The Manc Group

Announcing its closure on Instagram, Tartuffe wrote: “That’s right, our time at Side Street has come to an end and our final service here is this Friday.

“It’s been an incredible two and a half years cooking for the wonderful people of Manchester and we’re hugely thankful to everyone who’s been to see us whilst we’ve been here.

“Another big thanks to the staff at Side Street who we’ve loved working with. We’ve made some great friends and worked with some absolutely brilliant people.

“We’re going to be having a little bit of a break whilst we plan for Tartuffe part 2. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you soon.”

The statement then closed out with an emotional plea to the people of Manchester.

“And remember to support the GENUINE independents out there, or else there won’t be any left,” Tartuffe concluded.

Read more:

The closure of Tartuffe was announced on the same day as Deansgate Mews’ award-winning casual dining restaurant, Another Hand, which fell victim to the difficult and ever-changing economic climate.

Featured Image – The Manc Group

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