A much-loved neighbourhood restaurant has gone up for sale due to ‘unforeseen health reasons’ of one of its directors, leaving its team looking for a new financial backer.
The Gherkin in Levenshulme is a favourite amongst the local community and has made a name for itself in recent years through its charitable initiatives, such as its ‘pay as you feel menu’ – first launched to help Ukrainian refugees, then extended to everyone In September as the cost of living crisis continued to worsen.
Announcing the news of the sale on Facebook, one of the owners of the vegan and vegetarian bistro said that he hoped the new buyer would keep on the team as it is so they could continue to operate in the same way as before.
A post written by co-owner Jamie Whittaker explained: “Due to unforeseen health reasons of one of the directors, it is unfortunate that we are having to put The Gherkin up for sale.
Image: The Gherkin
Image: The Gherkin
“As you know, we have worked tirelessly to make The Gherkin what is has become today and have been incredibly proud of what it has achieved, through the many obstacles thrown at us since taking over the premises in 2019.
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“The venue, its staff and its customers have become an intrinsic part of the community and for all we have achieved, we have been very fortunate. Whilst the business is set up 50:50, this is what Chris did to protect me as Gherkin was my idea.
The post continued: “He, however, is the 100% financial backer and so any buyer needs to buy him out of Bescoby & Whittaker and whatever or whoever buys the business sets it up in whatever new capacity I have every hope that someone will see how fabulous The Gherkin is and our team & keep us the way we are ( what will be will be ) we have some interest already.
“Until a buyer has been found, we will continue with business as usual.”
Image: Jamie Whittaker / The Gherkin
Image: The Gherkin
Since being shared last week, the post has been liked over 600 times and attracted over 200 comments.
One person said: “Whoever buys this business – not to say legendary and beautiful institution – is on to a good thing, hope someone who appreciates what an amazing place (and group of people!) you’ve built here comes along very soon with a great offer x”
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Another wrote: “It’s a no-brainer, someone would be so lucky to invest in what you’ve already built. I too have faith it will get sorted lovely. Gherkin is the only venue we go to these days, first on my Uber list.”
A third said: “Ahhh man. Stressful times! You’ve created such a force for good in such a small space of time, made a real mark. It’s an amazing achievement. I’ll keep everything crossed that someone will come through and let you carry on doing the magic that you do.”
A fourth wrote: “I think we’re all dead proud of you for what you’ve done there, it’s been amazing to watch. Whatever is next jamie you will slay it ”
The restaurant hosts its pay-as-you-feel dinners every Monday. Whilst hard-up guests contribute whatever they can afford, those who happen to be more well off are also given the option to ‘pay it forward’, either by buying a meal for someone else or by making a cash donation to the restaurant to help it continue its good work.
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The restaurant has also set up a ‘Kindness Kabinet’, inviting people to leave donations for others in need ranging from clothing to food, books and toys.
‘Pay as you feel’ meals at The Gherkin are served every Monday from 4-9pm, with promises that no one will be turned away hungry for being unable to pay. Drinks are a normal price but tap water is free.
Any interested parties should contact The Gherkin at [email protected] or call 07368808870.
Feature image – Jamie Whittaker / The Gherkin
Eats
Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display
Daisy Jackson
Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it.
The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure.
Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap.
And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.
Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub.
As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots.
There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet.
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pubDelicious spring drinksInside The Tavern at The Black Friar
A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals.
Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta.
And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut.
Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce.
“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar.
“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”
Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather!
“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”
To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE.
Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.
With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.
Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.
They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.
The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.
And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.
Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.
They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”
They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.
British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.
A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
12th December 2022 
