Gooey – the bakery that often has people queueing down the street for its chunky cookies and brioche doughnuts – has revealed plans for a Christmas cafe.
The cafe is set to offer festive afternoon teas and breakfast with Santa, as well as exclusive festive bakes.
Gooey’s 30-seat Christmas cafe will open at Selfridges next week as part of the department store’s ‘Season’s Feastings’ concept.
On the menu will be seasonal treats like a smores cookie pie, a Snowman choux, a layered chocolate orange cake and Gooey’s beloved millionaire’s shortbread with a Christmas twist.
All that will be alongside the gooey cookies and sugar-coated doughnuts the bakery is so loved for.
ADVERTISEMENT
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: The Manc GroupPrevious Gooey specials as bakery announces new Christmas cafe.
There’ll be boxes of cookies and doughnuts to takeaway, or diners can relax with a selection of barista coffees, boozy hot chocolate and soft drinks.
Throughout December, afternoon tea with Santa will take place every Thursday and Friday, while breakfast with Santa will run every Saturday and Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gooey first started selling its goods from a hatch in the Northern Quarter just before lockdown.
Since then, it’s moved into the kiosk space at Ducie Street Warehouse and more recently opened its first cafe, where the offering has expanded to include brunches and lunches.
His post has generated a fair bit of reaction already, with one person replying: “Ridiculous advice! Loss of a table for 4 ! Empty tables for 2! Over ordered and over staffed, this stupidly from someone who should know better must corrected. Every customer counts in this day and age.”
Someone else wrote: “The amount of people booking 2 venues this year and cancelling is on the increase too!! We are now taking deposits for groups over 6 to try and eliminate this! When space is an issue booking more than you need is not fair on the venues!!”
Another commented: “A table of 3 is actually sat on a table for four. So you’re denying the business of 50% of its potential turnover. Do not do this.”
Sacha Lord – Night Time Economy Adviser to Greater Manchester.
CREDIT – Darren Robinson Photography
Petit Paris, a charming deli and wine bar in Manchester, announces sudden closure
Daisy Jackson
Petit Paris, a lovely little wine bar and deli in the heart of Manchester, has announced its shock closure.
The cosy spot on King Street shared the news ‘with big sadness’ over the weekend, writing: “Petit Paris, c’est fini”.
The French deli was loved for its incredible selection of wines, as well as its huge cheese boards and sandwiches you could order.
In summer, it had plenty of seating outside on the beautiful cobbled King Street where you could sit and people-watch with a glass of rose in hand.
Petit Paris wrote in a statement shared on Instagram: “Brexit and current climate for independent businesses didn’t encourage us to continue the adventure.”
The local business is still up for a Manchester Food and Drink Award, where it’s nominated for Food and Drink Retailer of the Year.
Petit Paris’s full statement reads: “Petit Paris c’est fini….
Inside the Petit Paris French deli in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupPetit Paris in Manchester was a prime people-watching spot. Credit: The Manc GroupOysters and wine at Petit Paris. Credit: The Manc Group
“It is with big sadness that we have to announce the closure of our lovely deli in Manchester. It’s been 2 incredible years and we our grateful for all the support our customer showed us and our amazing staff that worked hard everyday!
“Thank you to all local social media that provide us great visibility and put us with the best in town.
“Brexit and current climate for independent businesses didn’t encourage us to continue the adventure.
“If you want to support one more time go on and vote for us at the Manchester food & drink festival for 2024.
“Please keep supporting small independent businesses! Merci.”
Daisy Jackson -
28th October 2022 
