Levenshulme wine bar and restaurant to close after rent increases by 80%

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!”

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.

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Featured image: The Manc Group