Much-loved Levenshulme wine bar Isca has announced it’s closing the doors of its Stockport Road restrurant after five years.
The intimate, independent venue has said in a statement shared today that their rent is set to increase by a whopping 80%.
This, coupled with building work ‘disturbing’ their opening hours, has led to Isca announcing that they ‘cannot continue to operate’.
Isca has operated from 825 Stockport Road for more than five years, but it’s coming to ‘an abrupt close’.
But the renowned wine bar and small plates restaurant then softened the blow significantly by announcing that they have already found a new home.
It means the Isca will only be closed for ‘a short while’, while the team move in to a bigger space, thankfully still in the Levenshulme neighbourhood.
They’ve said that with their new, larger space they’ll be able to provide a bigger selection of wine, groceries and products, a bigger kitchen, and more events.
Several local businesses have voiced their support, with The Craft Cheeseman commenting: “So sad that your landlord has behaved this way but it sounds like it’s created an awesome opportunity which is so great to hear. Very exciting times ahead!!”
Local brewery Cloudwater wrote: “So glad to hear there’s a bigger Isca on the way!”
Isca in Levenshulme has announced it’s closing its existing restaurant. Credit: The Manc Group
In their statement, Isca said: “Some important news from us. Please read.
“Our journey at 825 Stockport rd has come to an abrupt close, unfortunately due to pressure from our current landlord to increase our rent by 80% and their intention on to built an extension on the back of our building during opening hours which would cause disturbance to us, we have decided we cannot continue to operate there.
“As one door closes another door opens, we are very excited to tell you that we are moving up the road to a bigger space at 1032 Stockport rd.
“Our last day at 825 is coming around fast and will be the 28th July. After that we will be closed for a short while whilst we move into our new home. Join us before we close the door on our little space which has served us so well over the last 5 years.
“We will be leaving with fond memories of good times and are very proud of the food we have created, wines we have poured and events we have hosted in that space.
“A bigger space means we can increase our offering of wines, groceries and products as well as more seats for our customers, a bigger kitchen and more space to host events, wine tastings, wine makers, collaborations and more!
“Please do bare with us whilst we settle into our new home during August and get in to our groove. We will be adapting to a new space as we go so opening times may change.
“We do hope you will stroll a bit further up the road to see us. Keep an eye out updates coming up soon.”
Isca is the brainchild of sommelier Caroline Dubois and Chef Isobel Jenkins, who met while working at Michelin-recognised Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In, and have created one of the city’s most respected homes of natural wine.
Manchester Arndale is slashing prices on food and drink across the shopping centre
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Arndale’s Summer Scran Fest is back – and that means there are some absolute bargains to be had on food and drink right across the shopping centre.
Throughout the month of August, restaurants, cafes and kiosks within Manchester Arndale will be offering some serious offers and deals.
This ranges from 25% off to buy-one-get-one-free deals, plus free meals for kids and plenty more.
Venues taking part in the Summer Scran Fest include Archie’s, Subway, Barburrito, Pizza Hut, HOP Vietnamese, Michaels Coffee House and plenty more.
And the leisure destinations within Manchester Arndale are getting stuck in too – think free drinks, combos and more at venues including King Pins and Urban Playground.
There are plenty of Manchester-born businesses getting involved and offering bargains to us all, like Archie’s giving out free soft serve when you spend £10, Barburrito offering a £10 meal deal (burrito, tortilla chips and a soft drink), and Lazy Sundae giving a free scoop of ice cream with any large drink purchase.
Big brand deals include a £5 meal deal at McDonald’s (4 Chicken McNuggets, Cheese burger or Mayo chicken; fries; and medium cold drink), and 25% off at Pizza Hut.
There’s 20% off at Sides in the Manchester Arndale Summer Scran FestLazy Sundae will do a free ice cream with a large drink purchase
Then there are newcomers to Manchester Arndale taking part in the Summer Scran Fest.
HOP, a new Vietnamese street food venue on Market Street, is doing 25% off, while Michaels Coffee House will knock 15% off their seasonal favourites like an Iced Maple Oat Matcha or an Iced Rose Coconut Matcha.
There’s also a 20% discount at Sides, the chicken shop backed by YouTube sensations Sidemen.
And as for leisure destinations – Urban Playground is doing 18 Holes of putters tech-infused mini golf, plus any three small plates from The Butcher menu for £28.20.
Kind Pins has 20% off food and drink, and Immersive Gamebox will do 20% off plus a free drink when you book a 60 or 30 minute gaming session.
Pick up a voucher booklet in the centre or download your offers from the Manchester Arndale website from 1 August.
Manchester dessert and sandwich stars Gooey are set to open another city centre site
Danny Jones
0161’s world-famous dessert stars, Gooey, are set to open another city centre site – their third in Greater Manchester and soon-to-be fifth overall.
Known for their incredible cookies, doughnuts, brunch, legendary French toast and plenty more, Gooey made their first foray out of their hometown with a Liverpool location last year, and are now set to consolidate their Manc base even further.
Set to open in a prime piece of real estate, the latest Manchester Gooey store will be opening in a sizeable empty unit over on Circle Square, right next to the Asda Express and in the heart of the student living and leisure complex.
Benefitting from being easily seen from along the bustling Oxford Road Corridor, you can expect this place to be packed to the rafters from the off on day one.
The signs are already in the window.That unreal French toast dripping in syrup.Credit: The Manc Eats
There are few details on what the new arrival might have in-store beyond all the brand favourites at this early stage, but each Gooey store shop does have its own charm.
From their original bakery and cafe over in the Northern Quarter, to the three kiosks in Ducie Street Warehouse, The Trafford Centre Selfridges and over on Merseyside’s iconic Bold Street, they all offer something a little different.
As for any hints at the launch plans, fans are yet to be given an official opening date, but you best believe you’ll be the first to know the second we do.
In case you’ve never tried or even come across the indulgent and fast-growing independent business before, another popular part of their menu is the bits between bread.
Touching on the upcoming addition, Charlotte Wild, Head of Retail & Leisure at Bruntwood SciTech – the team behind Circle Square’s ever-expanding offerings – said: “Gooey is an incredible local brand who are continuing to grow, evolve and innovate, with ever more exciting desserts.
“They will make a fantastic addition to the Circle Square community, and we look forward to seeing the impact they make in the coming months.”
In case you wonder how much we love this place and just how excited you should be about another one landing here in the city centre, sometimes we just put together random appreciation posts for that one, aforementioned butty alone.
Local foodies will also be buzzing to hear that they’re not the only calorific cult favourites that are bringing more to our mouths in 2025.
First, it was Brewski, followed by American Pies; then it was Foldies, and now the beloved culinary brand is launching yet another new concept here in Manchester.
Daisy Jackson -
17th July 2024 
