Mira, a local food business famed for its saucy sandwiches, was raided by mindless vandals last week, leaving its owners furious.
The independent business has been popping up all over the city since it launched but now has a base in Sadler’s Yard, where it operates from a wooden hut and provides its epic sarnies to the Sadler’s Cat pub.
But the much-loved Manchester operator shared late last week that it had been raided and ‘wrecked’.
The infuriating details of the incident include mindless vandalism and food waste, with hot sauce sprayed across the walls ‘like a Formula 1 driver celebrating a Grand Prix win’.
Mira’s video from the scene showed litter strewn across the public square and general devastation inside their food hut, including meatballs lying on the floor and the fridge left open.
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The business said it felt like a ‘really, really hard kick in the nads’ at a time when small businesses are struggling with rising costs across the board.
Mira’s full post said: “Tough one. Someone raided The Shack last night. Wrecked the place. Wasted a lot of good food. Sprayed hot sauce up the walls like a Formula 1 driver celebrating a Grand Prix win.
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“Everyone knows small businesses are up against it atm, so you can imagine how this feels like a really, really hard kick in the nads.
“A really sincere 🖕🏼(both hands)🖕🏼 to the cretins who tore the place up. But thanks for the countless story replies offering help + those at @noma_mcr / @pulp.speciality.coffee / @sadlerscatpub for helping out.
Some of the damage inside Mira. Credit: Instagram, @mira.mcrMira. Credit: The Manc Group
“Got things fixed up today. Back open tomorrow.”
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Popular fillings at Mira include slow-cooked Genovese beef brisket with onions, parmesan and salami; Italian meatballs in a slow-cooked ragu with fresh basil and mozzarella and a vegan-friendly juicy aubergine parmigiana sandwich with rich tomato sauce, cashew cheese and basil.
Mira owners Mike and Rhea first fell in love with the rich flavours, culture and history behind the sandwich whilst travelling and felt compelled to bring it home to Manchester.
His post has generated a fair bit of reaction already, with one person replying: “Ridiculous advice! Loss of a table for 4 ! Empty tables for 2! Over ordered and over staffed, this stupidly from someone who should know better must corrected. Every customer counts in this day and age.”
Someone else wrote: “The amount of people booking 2 venues this year and cancelling is on the increase too!! We are now taking deposits for groups over 6 to try and eliminate this! When space is an issue booking more than you need is not fair on the venues!!”
Another commented: “A table of 3 is actually sat on a table for four. So you’re denying the business of 50% of its potential turnover. Do not do this.”
Sacha Lord – Night Time Economy Adviser to Greater Manchester.
CREDIT – Darren Robinson Photography
Petit Paris, a charming deli and wine bar in Manchester, announces sudden closure
Daisy Jackson
Petit Paris, a lovely little wine bar and deli in the heart of Manchester, has announced its shock closure.
The cosy spot on King Street shared the news ‘with big sadness’ over the weekend, writing: “Petit Paris, c’est fini”.
The French deli was loved for its incredible selection of wines, as well as its huge cheese boards and sandwiches you could order.
In summer, it had plenty of seating outside on the beautiful cobbled King Street where you could sit and people-watch with a glass of rose in hand.
Petit Paris wrote in a statement shared on Instagram: “Brexit and current climate for independent businesses didn’t encourage us to continue the adventure.”
The local business is still up for a Manchester Food and Drink Award, where it’s nominated for Food and Drink Retailer of the Year.
Petit Paris’s full statement reads: “Petit Paris c’est fini….
Inside the Petit Paris French deli in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupPetit Paris in Manchester was a prime people-watching spot. Credit: The Manc GroupOysters and wine at Petit Paris. Credit: The Manc Group
“It is with big sadness that we have to announce the closure of our lovely deli in Manchester. It’s been 2 incredible years and we our grateful for all the support our customer showed us and our amazing staff that worked hard everyday!
“Thank you to all local social media that provide us great visibility and put us with the best in town.
“Brexit and current climate for independent businesses didn’t encourage us to continue the adventure.
“If you want to support one more time go on and vote for us at the Manchester food & drink festival for 2024.
“Please keep supporting small independent businesses! Merci.”
Daisy Jackson -
20th February 2023 
