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
Japanese-Brazilian hybrid, SakkuSamba, is putting on a special Valentine’s menu
Danny Jones
For anyone who hasn’t made it down to SakkuSamba, not only are you missing out but you might have also just found the perfect place to take your special someone this Valentine’s Day.
If you haven’t heard of this unique Spinningields restaurant before, SakkuSamba is the Japanese-Brazilian hybrid where surf and turf meet in an intimate and stylish setting.
From the moment you walk in to see the pink-hued lighting and floral surroundings, you immediately feel like you’ve been transported to a different world. And what better way to be greeted into that world than with a rose and a glass of fizz? Say no more.
That’s right, as part of their Valentine‘s offer, the menu not only kicks off with you being presented with a rose by the ever-welcoming staff, which you can then hand to your partner as if you planned the whole thing especially for them (we won’t say a word), but you also get a glass of prosecco on arrival too.
Credit: The Manc Group
SakkuSamba’s Valentine’s offering runs from 13-15 February and promises their unlimited dining experience as well as a special sharing dessert. You can book a lunchtime meal for £42.50 or secure yourself an incredible dinner for £55.50.
In case you’re wondering what makes it ‘unlimited’: part of what makes their dining experience so unique is how expansive their menu is, bridging across two beloved but equally varied cuisines.
Lucky for you, you’ll be able to order pretty much everything they have on it through a simple tablet on your own table, meaning you can spend even more time just the two of you on your special night.
As for the limited edition Valentine’s dessert, SakkuSamba’s Manchester restaurant will be creating its very own special sharing dessert and that’s all we’re allowed to tell you about it — all we know is that it’ll undoubtedly be delicious.
It isn’t often you find a place that serves up both high-end sushi and proper steak cooked in keeping with Brazilian tradition, among numerous other big and varied flavours.
Better still, they have a seriously appetising drinks menu for you to get stuck into. After all, it’s Valentine’s, it’d be rude not to treat yourselves to a tipple.
You can book you and your significant other in for a special Valentine’s menu and all-round wonderful dining experience HERE.
Whilst some people are probably looking forward to Valentine’s Day this month, we expect that a fair few others are struggling to muster much enthusiasm at all.
It’s fair enough. If you’re single then Cupid’s holiday can feel somewhat isolating, to say the least – which is why Caribbean-inspired restaurant and bar Turtle Bay has decided to give ‘equal billing’ to singles this year with two back-to-back bottomless dinners.
In what it’s calling an ‘inclusive celebration of love’, the restaurant has revealed it will be hosting two boozy dinners this month – one for singles on 13 February, and a second for couples on Valentine’s Day itself.
Featuring non-stop cocktails, prosecco and Red Stripe beers, plus two or three dishes each from Turtle Bay’s Caribbean-inspired menu, the bottomless dinners will celebrate love in all its forms.
Image: Turtle Bay
Image: Turtle Bay
Priced at £43.50 for two courses or £48.50 for three, both bottomless dinners will all start at 5pm and take place for two nights across Turtle Bay’s various Greater Manchester sites.
Dish options include the likes of jerk wings and salt fish fritters to start, followed by the likes of baby back ribs, jerk chicken and organic jerk tofu.
Elsewhere, you’ll find West Indian curries like its Trini curry chicken, as well as classic comfort food dishes such as Chef Collin’s mac and cheese with jerk chicken or curry goat hash.
There’s also plenty for veggies and vegans, with curry aubergine, the MotherClucker burger, the halloumi Buddha bowl, and the No Moo burger all on offer.
As for cocktails, indulge in the likes of the Dessert Island (dark rum, Tia Maria, cold brew and salted caramel); Tobago Tea (white rum, vodka, tequila, gin, triple sec, grapefruit, mango and lime); Jamrock Punch (gin, passionfruit, strawberry, apple, grapefruit and lime) and the Tingwray (Wray & Nephew, white rum, grapefruit and lime) over the course of your booking.
The Oxford Road has been refurbished and redecorated ready for the party season. / Image: Turtle Bay
Image: Turtle Bay
Those who fancy heading down can book into its sites on Oxford Street, in the Northern Quarter, or in Salford Quays.
Georgina Pellant -
12th December 2022 
