Cult favourite indie Factory Bake has announced they are shutting their extension site in the city centre, stating that the closure was simply out of their control.
Sat just a stone’s throw away from their main coffee kiosk and serving window attached to clothing and tailor shop, Dooley and Rostron, Factory Bake was up there with one of the most popular places to pick up a sweet treat or a pastry in central Manchester.
Located on King Street West, just across the road from Spinningfields and the likes of Crazy Pedro’s, the bakery window would regularly entice Mancs walking past to nip in for one of their baked goods and, as owner Kendra Groves puts it, would sell out almost every day.
Groves, who you may also know as ‘Wild Child Cakes‘, posted a lengthy statement explaining the decision on their socials while assuring that although this site might be closing, the brand itself remains and will be bouncing back.
Speaking on behalf of the wider Factory team, Aussie-born baker Groves wrote: “With a heavy heart we announce the closing of our extension site Factory Bake.
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“A lot of roadblocks have led us to this decision, none of them being due to the utter popularity, customers and the fact we’ve been blessed enough to sell out almost every day! No, the reasons, unfortunately [have] been completely and utterly out of our control.”
But before you mourn too hard, you can breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge that Kendra and co. full intend to reopen elsewhere, going on to state that “our hope and dream is to open up a location that can be more permanent for us” and will be setting up a Kickstarter campaign to help them do so.
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The aim is for the crowdfunder to help “raise the necessary funds”, adding, “It would mean the world to us if you are able to help us on this scary yet exciting endeavour… your amazing love and support, it means more than you’ll ever know.”
Details surrounding how and where to support the campaign are yet to be revealed but this deliciousness is simply too good not to back.
Most importantly of all, you’ll still be able to get your hands on plenty of Factory Bake goodness in the interim as they assured: “Fear not we are baking off-site and all the yummy baked treats you love so much will be available at Factory Coffee.”
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There really is a lot of love for this independent and passionately run local business and we’re so glad to hear that this closure of their extension site is more of a see you later than a goodbye, as the demand isn’t going anywhere.
In fact, it was only earlier this year that they went somewhat viral after a reviewer gave them one star for essentially being too busy – a comment that they were quick to toast.
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.
You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.
With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.
But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.
To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.
If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.
The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.
Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.
Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK
If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.
“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.
Danny Jones -
3rd July 2024 
