A popular restaurant in Ancoats has shared a gut-wrenching statement after being hit by a fourth break-in.
Blue Eyed Panda on Jersey Street said that the burglars once again only made off with ‘a few bottles’, with no cash or valuables left in the restaurant overnight.
They say the break-in happened at around 6.15am on Tuesday 2 April, just one day after they celebrated their fifth anniversary.
The restaurant has been the victim of multiple break-ins over the years, each time leaving them with costly repairs.
And Blue Eyed Panda has once again pleaded with those who are breaking in to ‘just leave us alone’.
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They slammed the people who broke in for causing so much damage and heartache even though they ‘get nothing’, saying: “We do not keep any valuables or money in the restaurant!!! We have also eaten all the cake from last night!!!”
The Blue Eyed Panda in Ancoats has shared a heartbreaking statement after yet another break-in. Credit: Instagram, @blueeyedpanda
Blue Eyed Panda also stressed ‘how difficult is it for local family business is at the moment to be alive in this industry’.
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Their heartfelt statement said: “Do you know how many staff are depending on our restaurant jobs to feed their families? Of course you don’t!”
The Chinese favourite has been able to remain open for business as usual but told followers it feels ‘very angry and frustrated’ to have been targeted again.
Their full post titled ‘Break In No. 4’, reads: “To the guys who like to visit us out of hours:
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“YESTERDAY(1 April): We were very very happy and thankful to be able to survive and celebrate the 5th Anniversary of our Blue Eyed Panda!! Hooray!!
“Then, TODAY (2 April) 6:15am: ‘’YOU’’ Yes!! ‘’YOU’’ decided to break into our restaurant again!!!!!! Come on, it is not the FIRST, SECOND or THIRD TIME!!! You came for the FORTH times now, and EVERYTIME you guys come in, you get NOTHING!! We say it again: ‘We do not keep any valuables or money in the restaurant!!! We have also eaten all the cake from last night!!!’’
“The only thing I could think of is that you enjoy making damages to our shop and get few bottles on the way out!! Thanks to you we have to do repairs again!!!
“Please STOP!! We have enough pressure already everyday and night…….Do you know how difficult is it for local family business is at the moment to be alive in this industry? Do you know how many staff are depending on our restaurant jobs to feed their families? Of course you don’t! Please just leave us alone and let us breath!!!”
The restaurant’s customers have suggested they start up a crowd funder to help pay for repairs and for shutters to protect it from future break-ins.
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One person wrote: “So sorry to hear this has happened again. How brain dead do they need to be to not realise most people pay by card and that restaurants don’t keep cash on the premises nowadays.”
Another said: “Really sorry to hear this. You’re a great local business, and it’s horrible that you’re being put under this pressure. Hope that’s the last time.”
Someone else posted: “This is awful, nobody deserves this and its shocking that people think its okay to destroy somebody else’s hard work. I’m so sorry to hear this!”
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week
Daisy Jackson
Students will be able to take part in a build-your-own ramen workshop this week, led by everyone’s favourite pan-Asian restaurant group, Wagamama.
The workshops will cost just £5 (all of which will go to a brilliant cause), and will include the time spent creating your perfect meal, the actual food, plus drinks and sides.
Wagamama has teamed up with mental health charity SHOUT to host this cosy ramen-making workshop.
Students will be invited to join Wagamama chefs in the kitchen, selecting their own broth, protein and veggies, with perfectly-cooked noodles, before sitting down at the restaurant’s benches to slurp up their creations with fellow students.
There’ll also be toppings and garnishes including kimchi, tea-stained eggs, chilli oil, spring onions and more.
With merch to take home too, and steaming bowls of the best-ever autumn dish, this is a one-off event you won’t want to miss.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied
Each £5 ticket includes your food and two drinks, plus a variety of the new Wagamama winter sides and sharers.
All money raised will be donated to SHOUT to support the vital services they provide.
A representative from SHOUT will also be in attendance to talk about student wellbeing and the services available from the charity.
Wagamama says: “At Wagamama, we believe having a conversation is one of the most powerful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s a quick check-in via text or an open conversation over a bowl of steaming ramen. no chat is too big or too small to make an impact.
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop with SHOUT this week. Credit: Supplied
“This ethos is one we share with SHOUT, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs someone to talk to. After huge demand during Covid, SHOUT’s service has become increasingly essential + today SHOUT is more highly in demand than ever before.”
The Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant is donating £40,000 to SHOUT this year, plus providing perks and rewards for their team of volunteers, and hosting events in their spaces.
The Wagamama ramen-building workshop will take place at the St Peter’s Square restaurant on Thursday 7 November between 2pm and 4pm. You can get your tickets HERE.
Manchester restaurants to add an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
A handful of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
People in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 13 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launched last Friday (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Mana, Climat, 20 Stories, and Tariff and Dale are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre branches chains such as Tampopo, Banyan, BOX, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, and Akt – a charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 into safe homes, employment, education, or training.
In 2023, Manchester restaurants alone raised a whopping £25,000 for these life-changing services in the local community.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
“Many of us want to help the vulnerable people in our community during the festive period, and StreetSmart provides an easy way to do this,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“We’re grateful to see so many local restaurants stepping forward to help our city’s homeless.
“It’s amazing to witness the kindness that our community has to offer, and see the tangible impact of our efforts and funding in the community.
“This year, we’re proud to be taking another step towards the eradication of homelessness, and look forward to seeing even more restaurants getting involved over the Christmas period.”
Daisy Jackson -
4th April 2024 
