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.
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.
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“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.
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“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.
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.
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“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.
Manchester dessert hatch receives two-star review for ‘smiling too much’
Daisy Jackson
A dessert hatch in Manchester city centre has spoken out after receiving a two-star review – in which the main criticism was that they ‘smiled too much’.
Layr, a tiny tiramisu spot in Ancoats, has publicly addressed the review, which said the staff’s friendliness was ‘almost creepy’.
The reviewer wrote: “Came today, had alright tiramisu but the staff were smiling too much it was almost creepy. Also felt interrogated, just wanted to get my tiramisu and leave, don’t think ill be back.”
Layr – which was also the victim of ‘hostile hate messages’ earlier this year – has now shared a response to the new two-star review.
They’ve said that while they will always take feedback on board, they refuse to change ‘the warmth & smiles you’re greeted with’.
Layr posted: “We absolutely recognise, and know that every customer experience matters. We never want anyone to feel uncomfortable visiting us, and always take every bit of feedback on board.
“Smiling is just who we are. Layr was built to feel warm, welcoming, and to be a memorable part of your day, week or month. We all need that little pick-me-up no matter what.
“Our amazing team all work incredibly hard, GENUINELY enjoy meeting so many of you and hearing about your day.
“If being too friendly gets us two stars, we can live with that.
“We’ll always choose warmth, no matter what. Great tiramisu matters, so does good people and amazing energy.
“A message to our team. Please don’t stop smiling. Ever.”
Huge beer hall in ‘up-and-coming’ Manchester neighbourhood announces shock closure after two years
Daisy Jackson
A huge beer hall and rotisserie chicken restaurant that opened just two years ago in Manchester has announced its shock closure.
Trading Route was a joint venture between some of the city’s most established hospitality figures, including Trof, Manchester Union, and Wandering Palate.
The brilliant local business has described how difficult it has been to operate as the only independent business in St John’s, ‘an area that is still described as ‘up-and-coming”.
They said that not enough footfall has not come to the area to support what they were building, which – combined with rising costs in the industry – has made it too difficult to continue operating.
They added: “We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.”
They then urged people to sign the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality, saying it could help to save your favourite places.
The Trading Route in Manchester has closed with immediate effectThe bar served great local beers and rotisserie chicken
Trading Route will close in Manchester with immediate effect.
Their full statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Trading Route with immediate effect.
“Rising costs and stagnant footfall have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with trading conditions particularly challenging over the previous three months.
“We spent our first 12 months operating amid ongoing construction in an area that is still described as “up-and-coming”. As the only independent business in the area, we needed footfall to grow to support what we were building. Unfortunately, that growth hasn’t materialised quickly enough.
“We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.
“It’s too late for us, but you could help save your favourite places by signing the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality to 10%. Independent bars, restaurants and pubs need your support to keep their doors open.
Danny Jones -
11th November 2024 
