Trove, a popular bakery in the heart of Ancoats, has suddenly closed its doors.
The Murray Street business used to operate as a cafe and brunch spot but removed its indoor seating and switched to a bakery unit early this year.
First founded in Levenshulme in 2011, Trove has become a staple on the city’s food and drink scene.
As well as its delicious loaves and pastries, it’s built a solid reputation for its Scandinavian-style small plates and brunches, often hosting supperclubs.
But now a forfeiture notice has appeared in the windows of Trove in Ancoats, announcing that it has been repossessed by landlords.
Companies House documents for Trove’s parent company Two Hexagons Ltd show that the business is in more than £1.6m of debt, including owing HMRC approximately £885,000.
Trove also had a cafe within the Bloc building on Marble Street, which closed down in April.
Inside Trove when it was still a cafe – the Ancoats site now appears to have closed. Credit: The Manc GroupThe forfeiture notice in the window of Trove in Ancoats. Credit: The Manc Group
It appears that its Levenshulme cafe and bakery is still open for business, as is its newest location in Wilmslow.
It’s another blow for Ancoats, which has lost some high-profile names in recent weeks and months and now has a number of empty units.
Just two weeks ago, Rigatoni’s, formerly known as Sugo Pasta Kitchen, announced its sudden closure, shortly after closing its Sale and Exhibition locations.
The unit formerly occupied by Second City is also vacant, as is Nam, and Lily’s Deli.
Trove has not yet issued a statement relating to the forfeiture of its Ancoats cafe.
Highballer – Stockport’s new bar from the brains behind Cherry Jam
Danny Jones
Stockport is riding a real wave of excitement right now, and aside from being dubbed ‘the new Berlin’ a couple of years back, it’s also enjoying a big bar boom right now: case and point, Highballer, which has just been opened by the blokes behind a familiar local name.
Given the experience behind this new venture, we have a feeling this one could finally stick for what has proved to be a tricky unit in the past.
Created by Neil Garner – the man behind charming indie bar champions, Cherry Jam – Highballer is another music-forward venue from a team with experience across both industries.
Looking to carry on where Amp, Dr Feelgood and even Remedy Bar left off before them, Highballer is the latest watering hole to appear inside 11 Market Place following a successful pop-up earlier this year.
No, it’s not the ‘Gary the Gorilla’, sorry – but it does give a nice little nod to Almost Famous. (Credit: Highballer)
With Amp closing at the start of the year, Garner saw the opportunity to step in turn the place into something familiar but new, promising more music, karaoke and bandaoke; a fresh new food menu, darts, pool and even the classic American lawn game, cornhole.
Having already opened earlier this month, toasting the arrival with a bonus Oasis reunion launch party on Friday, 20 June, the crowds are already starting to return. As for Garner, he brings an incredible pedigree to the new project.
A world champion flair bartender boasting 28 years in hospitality, he’s worked in over 100 countries, including time as a Las Vegas performer, not to mention holding a Guinness World Record and coming runner-up on Britain’s Got Talent as the founder-creator of entertainment act, ‘Barwizards’.
During his time down south, he also created the UK’s first adult playground called Roof East in London, which was ultimately sold a decade after winning Britain’s Best Outdoor Experience in 2024.
With his baby and the neighbouring bar Cherry Jam located literally just around the corner and down the brow, the reputation is already there, hence why it was busy from minute one.
Highballer sitting pretty in the shadow of two famous Stockport landmarks. (Credit: Supplied)
Stockport town centre has plenty of new pub and bar openings, from the resurrection of the old White Lion this time last year and the recently debuted Underbank, to fellow newcomer Fitzpatrick’s (formerly Bask), so it’s nice to see yet another one added into the mix.
Before Highballer, Neil spent years behind the scenes at some of the UK’s biggest festivals, running the backstage bars in the mid-noughties for events like Reading and Leeds Festival, Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and even Coachella.
In terms of food, he also spent time living in Seoul, where he developed a serious love for Korean, meaning that their collab with Manc favourites BAB was a natural fit.
On the menu you’ll find:
Korean Fried Chicken – crispy and packed with flavour
Loaded Fries – choose between pulled pork or spicy grilled chicken
Cauliflower Bites – crispy and full of spice
Gochujang Mac n’ Cheese – creamy and with a kick
Korean Cheese Corndogs
Korean Grilled Cheese
BAB MCR have come to Stockport to lend their talents to Highballer. (Credit: Supplied)
With ‘power hour’ karaoke sessions, Vimto mojitos named not just after the drink but the giant gorilla bouncer sat outside (great name), not to mention a big terrace to bring those beer garden vibes, they’ve got all the ingredients for an instant hit.
Oh, did we mention there are drink deals all week long? Well, there are. Cheers to that. Speaking to The Manc, Garner kept things short and sweet as he’s confident the product will do the talking, but admitted he’s “buzzing” to be opening another venue in the borough.
Balancing live music, entertainment, and hospitality is a tall order for anyone, but with the expertise behind this place, it stands as much of a fighting chance as everyone else.
It’s been a big couple of weeks for food and drink in Stockport.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd June 2024 
