Eats

Beloved Chorlton takeaway that ‘paved the way for vegan junk food’ announces closure

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th July 2022

A popular vegan takeaway in Chorlton has announced its permanent closure.

Zad’s was the first fully-vegan takeaway in the UK when it opened its doors on Barlow Moor Road in 2017.

Since then, vegan junk food has grown in popularity and plant-based alternatives crop up on menus across the nation.

The takeaway is famed for its pizzas, as well as its range of meat-free burgers, cauliflower wings, and macaroni cheese.

Vegan chicken wings (made with cauliflower) at Zad’s. Credit: Instagram, @zadsmcr

The owners of Zad’s have been looking for a buyer for the business, but say ‘the time has come to close our doors’ for good.

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Last year, they posted: “Zad’s is looking for a new owner and is going on the market for sale. Like many people, I have taken a lot of time over the last eighteen months or so to reassess many things and have come to the difficult realisation that I’m not the right person for Zad’s – I have a full time job which I love, a young family and a growing list of voluntary charitable commitments which just mean I don’t have the time to give to Zad’s that it deserves.

“Zad’s was started as a bit of fun, to give Manchester the vegan pizza it so desperately needed and there is still a huge need for what we do today.

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“We have a huge fanbase and if the last eighteen months has taught us anything, it’s that when Zad’s gets the attention it deserves, great things happen. We flourished through lockdown and provided an incredibly important service to all of our wonderful customers when you needed us most.”

Sadly, the Chorlton takeaway has now announced that it’s been unable to find someone to take over, and it will close after a few last celebrations.

The business is revisiting some of its most popular specials over the coming weeks before it closes on Sunday 24 July.

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Read more: ‘The big issues of earlier this year are behind us’ – New Manchester Airport boss speaks out

Zad’s posted on Instagram: “Well… after almost a full year of trying to find a buyer for Zad’s, the time has come to close our doors.

“We will be celebrating our 5th birthday on Thursday 21st July and will close our doors for the final time on Sunday 24th July. It’s been a hell of a rollercoaster and thank you all for your support over the last 5 years.

“More updates coming on our plans for the next 4 weeks, including specials, and details of how we can get our food to everyone before we close. I’m sure they’ll be a blog post before long too, with all the details around our decision to close.”

The announcement from Zad’s in Chorlton. Credit: Instagram, @zadsmcr

Fans of the takeaway have expressed their dismay to see the business close.

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One person wrote: “What a shame. Absolutely paved the way for vegan junk food in Manchester.”

Another said: “You guys were the trailblazers of vegan fast food in Manchester.”

Someone else commented: “Such a massive shame. Goodbye to the best vegan takeaway pizza ever.”

Featured image: Instagram, @zadsmcr

Eats

Award-winning Northern Quarter restaurant announces shock closure with most heartbreaking statement yet

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

One of the Northern Quarter’s best restaurants and bars has announced its shock closure, adding to a tidal wave of hospitality casualties. 

Cocktail Beer Ramen and Bun – better known to most of us as CBRB – announced the news this evening with a frank and heartbreaking statement. 

In it, the late-night Oldham Street business outlined the ‘massive financial strain’ it’s been facing, describing the obstacles that are ‘affecting everyone in the hospitality industry right now’. 

CBRB stressed the staggering costs of goods and the doubling of energy bills as the ‘massive factors’ that have forced their hand. 

They wrote: “It breaks our heart to have to make this decision and please know, it has not come lightly or without months of deliberation, meetings and rescue plans.

“Countless discussions about a way out of the sh*t that wouldn’t end up coming to this.”

CBRB
CBRB. Credit: The Manc Group
CBRB
CBRB. Credit: The Manc Group
CBRB
CBRB. Credit: The Manc Group

CBRB, which specialises in huge steaming bowls of ramen, delicious small plates and award-winning cocktails, took the time to thank all the customers who have supported the hugely popular independent restaurant over the years. 

They also urged people to get out and support their local favourites before it’s too late, writing: “We can guarantee they’ll need it. So many amazing ideas and talented businesses in our industry are struggling and closing almost every day now and they need your help.” 

CBRB’s final day will be this Sunday, with bookings and walk-ins operating as normal.

CBRB’s statement in full

This is probably the hardest thing we’ve ever had to write. The worst news we’ve ever had to deliver.

This Sunday will be our last. 

The last noodle pull. The last blue drink. The last dinner service.

We want to be as honest with you as possible. After all, it’s you lot that make this place what it is and it’s you who have kept us going as long as we have. 

CBRB wouldn’t be where it is today without your amazing love + support over the last 4 years… 

The business has been under massive financial strain, that we have unfortunately been unable to pull ourselves out of. The obstacles that have been affecting everyone in the hospitality industry right now. The cost of goods sky rocketing. Energy bills more than doubling. They’re all massive factors and they’ve all made it extremely difficult to continue doing what we love, without compromising on quality. 

It breaks our heart to have to make this decision and please know, it has not come lightly or without months of deliberation, meetings and rescue plans. Countless discussions about a way out of the sh*t that wouldn’t end up coming to this.

So for now we just want to thank you. For making this tiny little kitchen and bar become something way bigger than we ever imagined. For making coming to work the last 4 years so much fun. For all the lovely messages, the constant support, for bringing your friends and sharing the love for the food we create. 

Thank you for supporting your local Girl Gang. But for now, it’s over.

If we can leave anything behind it’s this. Go and support your local independent bar! 

Eat out at your favourite family owned restaurants. Order that takeaway from your local small business. Because we can guarantee they’ll need it. So many amazing ideas and talented businesses in our industry are struggling and closing almost every day now and they need your help.

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Bookings and walk ins will operate as normal this week and we’ll keep on slinging the noods and pouring the drinks until the second we have to leave. 

2018 – 2023 

This week will be a bittersweet one. Come see us for a drink.

Big love, Team CBRB x

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Selfridges to open Louboutin bar with cocktails inspired by its iconic £700 shoes

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

A new bar inspired by Christian Louboutin’s infamous red-soled shoes is set to open in Selfridges, Manchester Trafford, this year.

Offering a spin on classic cocktails such as the Cosmopolitan alongside some bespoke creations, it will be located in the accessories hall on the lower level of the department store opposite the new Christian Louboutin boutique.

Running for a limited time only, Loubibar celebrates the arrival of the swanky boutique where the designer’s latest Spring collection of signature shoes and accessories are now on display.

At the cocktail bar, shoppers can enjoy bespoke cocktail creations including the Rouge Follies (a spin on the classic Cosmopolitan), the Loubifunk (mixing gin with aromatic notes of cherry and zesty limes) and the amusingly named Loubidoo (a ‘transportive’ cocktail laced with coconuts and lime).

Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied

The 360 bar itself is resplendent in Christian Louboutin’s signature red, with plush red stools and menus, and will serve bespoke red cocktails inspired by the French fashion house, which was first established in Paris over 30 years ago.

First launching in 1992 with a collection for women, swiftly followed by a men’s collection a few years later, its signature red lacquered sole makes the shoes instantly recognisable wherever they go.

2014 welcomed Christian Louboutin Beauté, while in, 2022 the House launched a new category dedicated to Kids and Pets: The LoubiFamily.

Favoured by the likes of the Kardashians and Cardi B, as well as Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, they’ve long been considered an iconic symbol of style and quality craftsmanship.

Read more: An award-winning pie and mash cafe is opening in Manchester

With a prolific collection of shoes, leather goods and accessories, Christian Louboutin now counts more than 150 points of sales around the world. 

The new bar’s design incorporates the brand’s playful wit and charm, with the Loubibar itself topped with a lit sign that nods to the decor often seen in Parisian brasseries.

Read more: Two Manchester cocktail bars named amongst the top 10 in the country

Seating is available around the bar as well as a number of booths all featuring textiles complimenting the adjacent Christian Louboutin boutique, the new cocktail bar is open for a limited time only.

Located in the accessories hall on the lower level, it celebrates the new Christian Louboutin boutique where the designer’s latest Spring collection of signature shoes and accessories are available.

Feature image – Supplied

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