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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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!
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
Inside Voyeur, a mysterious new post-punk 80s-inspired cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
A brand new cocktail bar is set to open in Manchester this week, with dark and mysterious interiors, 80s inspiration, and a raunchy theme.
Voyeur is opening in the heart of the Northern Quarter, and here it’s all about modern drinks in a post-punk 80s setting.
The walls are decorated with beautiful voyeurism photography from the 80s, including artists like David Hockney, Nick Taggart, and Malerie Marder.
Even the menus celebrate the artistic side of voyeurism, with drinks presented within a book of photography.
Those drinks include creative twists on drinks dating back more than a century, from the Kaleidescope of Lies (a two-in one cocktail inspired by a pina colada, with a strawberry daiquiri foam top) to The Voyeur (made with coriander-infused tequila for a savoury punch).
There’ll be monthly themed specials, kicking off with The Breakfast Club, where seasonal drinks take inspiration from Lucky Charms cereal, chai latte and an acai bowl.
Cocktails inspired by The Breakfast Club at VoyeurCocktails at Voyeur in the Northern QuarterInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barInside Voyeur, a new Manchester cocktail barVoyeur on Oldham StreetThe cocktail menu is presented as a photography book
The dark space is lit by marble table lamps and a glittering green disco ball (and not much else), perfect for an evening spent sipping cocktails into the early hours.
Between Thursdays and Sundays, Voyeur will have DJs spinning vinyls.
Voyeur is opening this week on Oldham Street and will be open from 5pm to 2am between Tuesday and Sunday.
A brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop in a former Manc food spot
Thomas Melia
Sweet lovers and dessert connoisseurs alike, a brand-new dessert, ice-cream and doughnut shop is opening in Manchester city centre this month.
Titled ‘Baby Mayhem’, this sweet-filled shop has been teasing its arrival for the past month with videos showcasing everything from new instalments to their graffiti-style logo.
This brand-new opening will be located on Radium Street, not too far away from Chinese superstar Wing Yip and fellow sweet treat specialists, Flat Baker, right in the heart of Ancoats.
The interior has been given a very nice and bright facelift too, going from an all white four-walled site to a bold and distinctive baby pink-covered site.
Manchester seems to have quite the sweet tooth at the moment, as it was only last month that our Northern Quarter was christened by cake gods, Get Baked.
As for this new dessert shop, they’re starting from scratch, with a temporary wooden window frame with their branding spray-painted onto it fitted ahead of their soft launch later this week.
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the much-loved Lazy Tony’s Lasagneria shop, and it really is out with the old, in with the new, as the familiar neon ‘No Lasagne’ sign has been traded for a sweeter read of ‘Fresh Donuts’.
It may be Yank spelling, but this still feels Manc through and through.
Case and point: all their signage, stamps and stencils have been done by local laser cutting service and neighbours, Drawn By The Light – also on Radium Street.
Enough salt, let’s have a serious amount of sugar. (Credit: Baby Mayhem via Instagram)
Baby Mayhem are taking sweet treats to the complete extreme, serving up everyone’s beloved combo of coffees and cakes, while also creating our soon-to-be-favourite indulgence: doughnut sandwiches. 10/10, no notes – genius.
There really are no complaints here; what’s not to love?
Baby Mayhem is taking up residence in the former Lazy Tony’s site, 23 Radium Street in Ancoats, and will be serving up their sweet treats for all to try from this Saturday, 26 April.