A local coffee shop has taken to social media to make its voice heard as coffeehouse chain Costa opens a third cafe in its neighbourhood today.
In a sassy Instagram post titled “#COSTALIVING”, Macclesfield coffee shop Yas Bean laid out the case for why we should all be supporting local businesses over big chains wherever possible.
It wrote: “Macclesfield has a new @costacoffee opening tomorrow. Our *third* Costa. In fact there are now TWO within 0.3 of a mile of each other?!?!?!
“It will “create 12 new jobs”, but sadly the benefits for the local community end abruptly there.”
It went on to explain that, unlike local businesses, Costa doesn’t use “local dairies, bakers, grocers, coffee roasters, local artists or crafters”, adding: “They don’t support local charities, join initiatives to improve their surroundings or create events.”
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It continued to make a strong case for why supporting local business is good for your neighbourhood, writing: “In these days ahead – where you spend your money makes a HUGE difference to your community.
“The above is true of many many other shops in our town, but I can only speak for ourselves. Macclesfield is ruddy rife with wonderful people! Support Local, Support independent. It’s amazing, fun and sexy.”
Tackling the subject of cost it said, by comparison, that drinks are actually cheaper because they are “better quality, more ethically sourced”, and “don’t taste like the run off from a marmite factory mixed with sugar.”
“When you buy from us you support your local butcher, baker and candlestick maker. Well, not quite but we do have some lovely cards made by locals.
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Image: Yas Bean
Yas Bean owners Mika Johnson and Dan Hardman. / Image: Yas Bean
Speaking to The Manc about the post, owner Mika Johnson elaborated: “Independent businesses like us try to use local wherever possible. So when you buy a latte from us you’re not only helping us and our staff but also the local dairy and coffee roaster and their staff too.
“There is a huge knock-on effect for the local economy. Plus seeing local business thrive and running my own shop is such a great confidence boost, it’s been huge for my mental health.
“We are seeing loads of small businesses take a leap and it’s amazing. We often collaborate with others to create fun events, raise money for charity, or help spread the word. This collaboration forms relationships that we really cherish and I think it’s beautiful.”
Asked whether he’d noticed Costa taking much business from the shop, Mika added: “As far as whether Costa are taking custom from us, I don’t think they necessarily are.
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“In Macclesfield, we luckily have a strong locally minded community. But that’s not to say it doesn’t limit the potential for individuals to grow. We all need each other now more than ever!”
To find out more about Yas Bean and check out their brilliant coffee shop, you can follow them on Instagram here.
Tiny shipping container Italian opens its own Northern Quarter deli
Daisy Jackson
A tiny Italian cafe that started life in a shipping container has opened its very own cafe and deli in the Northern Quarter.
Marleo, one of the most authentic Italian spots in Manchester, has transformed a unit on Oldham Street into a sunny yellow Sicilian cafe.
Here, you’ll find a counter stuffed with classic Sicilian street food, like perfect cone-shaped arancini, fresh focaccia sandwiches, and pizzette.
Maria and Leo are the couple behind this Northern Quarter newcomer (though you might already know them from Pollard Yard), and they want to create a space that echoes the magic of the Italian island.
You can order a coffee to drink at the counter, the true Italian way, with a cannoli or a cornetto pastry on the side.
There are vibrant salads to take away, along with all those doughy Italian delights to go.
But Marleo Little Sicily also has a small seating area tucked in the back, where a lemon tree climbs up the walls and traditional Testa di Moro peer out from the shelves.
A full spread of Sicilian treats from Marleo in ManchesterFresh focaccia sandwiches at MarleoPistachio and mortadella pizzetteMushroom aranciniMarleo Little Sicily in ManchesterThe full counter at Marleo Little Sicily
Highlights on the counter include Ravazzate, a soft Sicilian bread pun stuffed with homemade, slow-cooked meat and other fillings, like a classic Genovese.
There are also Cipolline, a homemade puff pastry treat packed with fillings like spinach and chilli, or pistachio and mortadella.
Leo has brought a dish from his hometown too – nfigghiulate is a traditional, rustic Italian pastry that’s wrapped around sausage and onion and fennel.
They’ve got a full range of arancini too, stuffed with ham and bechamel sauce, or creamy mushrooms and mozzarella.
Marleo Little Sicily will open its doors at 93 Oldham Street this week.
Stockport pub set to be brought back by local brewery
Danny Jones
A once popular pub in Stockport looks set to be brought back by a big regional brewery, more than two and a half years on from its closure.
The boozer in question is The Golden Hind in Offerton, with the most recent landlords having to bid goodbye to the Lisburne Lane location back in November 2023.
Since then, the sad sight has simply stood derelict on the corner of Marple Road, a main thoroughfare which connects the SK neighbourhood to the neighbouring town of the same name.
However, now it appears as though Manchester-born brewers and pub operators, Joseph Holt, are set to resurrect the local institution as part of a major redevelopment programme estimated to be worth North of £1 million.
CEO Richard Kershaw, along with directors Jane and Andrew Kershaw. (Credit: Joseph Holt Brewery)
Native pub chain and beer-makers ‘Joey Holts’, as they’re sometimes colloquially known, announced their purchase of the building last week.
With Jane and Andrew representing the sixth generation of the Holts to work for the well-established Manc publicans, the family-run business knows all about the importance of maintaining the important community aspect of suburban cornerstones like this.
Over 176 years old themselves, Joseph Holt has plenty of experience reviving venues like this – it was only back in October that they helped reboot the Horse and Jockey in Chorlton – and have stated their intention of helping fight the growing trend of pubs, bars and restaurants closing across the country.
The Golden Hind (which was formerly a Hungry Horse pub before its Greene King era) ceased trading after being open for well over half a century, and was heavily mourned at the time.
With regulars and Offertonians at large campaigning at the time to try and save the site, this will no doubt come as great news and some much-needed relief to many in and around the area, who spent some of their most important time socialising and building connections in their much-loved local hub.
We are yet to be given a clear timeline for the comeback, but you can already tell how motivated the new owners are to make this a success, not just for themselves, but for those who live nearby.
Aforementioned CEO, Richard Kershaw, said in a statement: “Joseph Holt is a brewery committed to putting pubs back into the heart of local communities. It is at the core of our ethos.
“Since we know they play such an important role not just as places to enjoy a drink, but as welcoming spaces to meet others, take part in social groups, and enjoy live events. All of which will be happening once again once we complete our redevelopment of The Golden Hind.
“That’s why we are investing over £1 million in a comprehensive and carefully considered redevelopment, creating a pub in the truest traditional sense — complete with open fireplaces, generous outdoor spaces, and comfortable, characterful furnishings.”
The Joey Holt boss went on to add: “We are a family business, and we really understand how people feel a deep social connection with their local pub. We hope our revival of the Golden Hind will once again make it a local magnet.
“This investment will also bring real benefits to the area – creating jobs and new opportunities, while giving the wider community a meaningful boost. We’re looking forward to getting started on this exciting new chapter for both the pub and the area.”
With another long-standing Stopfordian pub, which was also previously run by the same ownership group, having confirmed its closure late last month, could Joseph Holt be about to do something similar with another well-known watering hole?…
Georgina Pellant -
21st November 2022 
