Eats

Beloved pub and restaurant Mary and Archie announce gutting closure of Didsbury site

Very sad to see such a lovely little spot go.

Danny Jones - 11th November 2024

One of Greater Manchester’s most beloved little gastropubs, Mary and Archie, have sadly announced that their Didsbury venue is now “closed for good”.

The popular cafe, bar and restaurant has been open since 2011, though this isn’t the first time they’ve had to shut their doors, suffering closure back in 2018 and then again during lockdown.

Located on the busy Burton Road in West Didsbury, they ultimately reopened for takeaway as the UK began leaving the pandemic and eventually found their feet once again, but it now seems they have unfortunately run out of steam due to growing business rates, energy bills and the cost of living crisis.

Sharing a moving statement on social media over the weekend, Mary and Archie confirmed that the last service has already been carried out, thanking customers for their years of loyal support.

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A post shared by Mary & Archie (@maryandarchie)

The lengthy message reads: “We write this with a heavy dose of mixed emotions – massive sadness but also huge amounts of gratitude. Mary & Archie Burton Rd is now closed for good. Many regulars will know that we made the decision to put the place on the market some time ago.

“It wasn’t what we wanted, but we just couldn’t carry on anymore. The last 2 years have been impossibly tough for this industry. We hung on as long as we could hoping things would get better and they didn’t, so here we are.

“But, we don’t want this message to be all doom and gloom. We have loved being a part of Burton Road – watching it evolve over the last 13 years, whilst also being a part of that evolution has been a privilege and we have no regrets.

“We have met some of the most wonderful people along the way – many of whom remain firm friends. We have seen romances blossom at 200 Burton Rd and been many a table name or speech-mention at regulars’ weddings. We will take those special memories and cherish them.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves: Mary and Archie wasn’t just somewhere to grab a drink and a bite to eat, it was a valuable child and dog-friendly community cornerstone that locals will sorely miss – we’ll certainly mourn the pub quiz.

The best pub quizzes in and around Manchester

Mary & Archie Didsbury easily made it into our top 10.

However, fear not, they went on to reassure fans that “this isn’t the end for us”, urging people to visit their larger second site over in Chorlton and give their sister page a follow.

“You’ll see familiar faces and dishes over there and we will be taking the monthly jazz night over with us too”, they continued, signing off by adding: “I’ll quit rambling now, but lastly and as always, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who came in over the past 13 years. BIG LOVE EVERYONE.”

The support online has been truly touching too, with fellow cafe Mercado writing, “We’re sorry that you’re gone. You’ve been a part of this neighbourhood for so long. Times are tough and we hope you continue to rock in Chorlton. Much love neighbour” and many labelling it their favourite place in the area.

But one comment underneath that really moved us was this one: “The first cafe I visited when I moved here. My thoughts were ‘Yep, this feels like home’. Good music and general vibes.” Please do go and give Mary and Archie’s Chorlton some much-needed patronage if you can – they deserve it.

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Featured Images — Mary and Archie (via Instagram)