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
Didsbury favourite Rustik has confirmed its will sadly be closing this month
Danny Jones
West Didsbury favourite Rustik has sadly announced it will be closing for food after a decade at the end of this month.
The beloved Burton cafe and bar has been a staple of the tight-knit foodie neighbourhood since 2015, but now the independent Irish eatery has confirmed that the business will be shutting down permanently in less than a fortnight.
Confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, 17 September, the casual Manc restaurant and hangout informed their loyal followers of the unfortunate news.
Unsurprisingly, their social media has been awash with condolences, collective sadness and support for the local institution.
Posting across all of their accounts, Rustik wrote: “After an unforgettable 10 years on Burton Road, the time has come to close our doors. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come — never in a million years did we imagine Rustik would grow into what it became.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single one of you who walked through our doors and supported us along the way. We poured everything we had — our time, our energy, our lives into making Rustik a space for everyone. And what a ride it’s been.
“From the chaotic, beautiful brunch shifts to late nights dancing on tables to ‘Wagon Wheel’, pushing through the challenges of COVID and helping our community with meals during hard times— we’ve done it all, together.
“To our amazing staff, past and present: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and the love you brought every single day. You helped build something truly special, and we’ll never be able to thank you enough.
“To the incredible musicians who filled our space with life — keep doing what you do. The noise complaints? 100% worth the unforgettable nights.”
The team go on to detail that the official closing date is Tuesday, 30 September, reiterating that it is “business running as usual until then” and urging fans to “come down, grab your last Rustik fix, and raise a glass with us one final time.”
Signing off with an emotional farewell, they add: “Lastly, a message close to our hearts: please support your local cafes, bars, and independents. Hospitality is tough right now, and they need your support more than ever.
“Thank you for the most incredible decade of our lives. It’s over and out from us.”
It goes without saying that we’re gutted to see Rustik go and know how much it meant not only to the Burton Road community, but also to the Didsbury community, Chorlton and many other Greater Manchester natives.
A ‘saucy’ new Korean fried chicken restaurant is opening in the Gay Village
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new Korean fried chicken restaurant and cocktail bar is set to open on Canal Street this week.
CLUK is promising some big deals and amazing giveaways to celebrate its launch in Manchester, including free food and prize draws.
The newcomer in the heart of the city will specialise in Korean-style crispy fried chicken, but also warming ramen bowls, and salt & pepper classics.
Signature dishes will include Korean cheese-powder fried chicken, and Cheese Volcano Chicken.
CLUK will also serve dishes like kimchi cheese loaded fries, salt & pepper chicken, and huge sharing platters.
You can customise your Korean fried chicken order by size, choosing between wings and boneless and picking a flavour out of honey garlic, sweet and spicy, honey mustard, and honey and sour.
They promise it’ll all be ‘saucy, crunchy, and seriously addictive’.
That’s all washed down with ice-cold beers and creative cocktails, like martinis, spritzes and sours.
CLUK is now open in the Gay Village in ManchesterA spread of CLUK dishesInside CLUK ManchesterFried chicken with Korean cheese powderInside CLUK Manchester
The CLUK team are hoping to create a fun late-night dining option for this buzzing corner of the city centre.
To celebrate its launch on Thursday 18 September, CLUK have announced a whole heap of promotions.
This includes free chicken bao for the first 50 guests to visit during the first five days.
Over the two week launch period, visitors can spin the wheel whenever you spend £12 – spend £24 and spin twice.
And there are big prizes available – the top prize is a £100 gift card or £50 cash, with other prizes including free drinks, food and a £3 voucher as a consolation prize.
Plus, anyone who buys a gift card and tops it up with £100 will receive a free beer or cider.
When those two weeks are up, CLUK will run a £1,000 prize draw.
Georgina Pellant -
12th December 2022 
