Ramsbottom’s much-loved Chocolate Cafe has announced its closure over the weekend, saying in a heartbreaking statement that the hospitality industry is ‘on the brink of collapse’.
They said that it’s become unsustainable to run a business in the current economic climate, adding that the cost of living crisis has hit them ‘at both ends’.
The cafe and gift shop has been a staple of Ramsbottom’s food and drink scene for 15 years, selling handmade chocolates crafted in their workshop.
News of its closure has devastated locals, who say it will be a ‘huge loss’ to the community.
In its gut-wrenching statement written with ‘the heaviest of hearts and tears rolling in my eyes’, The Chocolate Cafe told its followers that Wednesday would be the last chance to buy its chocolates.
They outlined how some costs have rocketed by 40%, pushing them past the point of operating sustainably.
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The message titled ‘A sad farewell’ shared on their social media channels said: “I’ve been avoiding writing this post, as it means the end and I’ve been unsure if I’ve had the strength, but with the heaviest of heart and tears rolling in my eyes, we must announce we are closing.
“It’s not new news that hospitality is on the brink of collapse and despite every effort we just can’t continue. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting an at both ends, our much-loved customers have less in their pockets and goods and energy have increased by 40% and in some cases doubled. It’s just not sustainable.
“Our team have done some wonderful things and I’m proud of what you have done and despite our online business growing at an incredible rate, it’s just not enough to support the hospitality side of our business.
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“Our online business will be open till Wednesday, and if you want your last chance to get your favourite chocolate fix, act now. Please!! Gift Vouchers will be honoured till then.
“We are exploring ways to keep the chocolate business alive but for now it’s goodbye.
The Chocolate Cafe in Ramsbottom. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Chocolate Cafe in Ramsbottom. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Chocolate Cafe in Ramsbottom. Credit: The Manc Group
“I’d like to thank the wonderful staff, I’m heartbroken for you and our suppliers, and our amazing customers.”
They added on Twitter: “A very sad farewell, we just can’t carry on. Heartbroken. Our website is open till Wednesday for you last chance to get your favourite chocolate and support. I can’t thank everyone enough, our amazing team, suppliers and customers. It wasn’t meant to end this way.”
Replying to The Chocolate Cafe, one person said: “You guys brought excitement and happiness to everyone who visited you …with the magic cocoa pod “tree” in the centre and all the delicious goodies inside the shop … it’s just tragic that this is happening and I am so sorry to lose such a brilliant cafe close by…. This is just awful news but wish you every success with what you do next.”
Another commented: “Another faller in Rammy. So sad to hear. Decent people just wanting to tick over but can’t because of an incompetent Government who don’t care.”
Someone else tweeted: “This is so, so, so sad. First @LevanterFoods restaurant in Ramsbottom and now this @welovechocolate. Two amazing places, with phenomenal people, both not able to survive in these tough times.. It’s not fair. Good luck to you both xx.”
A tiny new train station pub is set to open at Manchester Oxford Road
Daisy Jackson
A tiny craft beer pub is set to open at Manchester Oxford Road, making all those inevitable train cancellations a little sweeter.
The new boozer will come from the same team behind some of the UK’s best train station pubs, who already have bars at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.
A licensing application has now been submitted by Bloomsbury Leisure Holdings Limited to take over the former cycle hub at Manchester Oxford Road.
The small building is directly opposite the entrance to the busy train station on the southern side of the city centre.
If approved, it will be the third site for the pub group in Manchester.
They already operate the Piccadilly Tap, that two-storey beer bar on Piccadilly Approach with a heated rooftop space and outdoor patio.
The team are also responsible for the more recently-opened Victoria Tap, which took over the former bin store at Manchester Victoria.
That particular pub has a heated beer garden constructed just inches away from where the trams tootle past and has a departures board where time is measured by pints (got 10 mins til your train leaves? That’s one pint, sir!)
As for the Oxford Road Tap, a new account on X appeared a few weeks ago that appears to confirm the imminent arrival of a new pub.
The Oxford Road Tap have applied to have opening hours through to half-past-midnight Sunday to Thursday, and until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
They teased a mocked-up photo of posters outside the station with the new pub logo, plus a slogan of ‘Great beer is just a few steps away…’
They later shared ‘Triple threat incoming’ with all three pub brands lined up as a deck of cards.
Northern Quarter favourite Pie and Ale has sadly closed down
Danny Jones
Beloved Northern Quarter eatery and pub Pie and Ale has sadly and quietly closed its doors this week in yet another gutting bit of news for the Manc hospitality sector.
Known for its legendary homemade pies, great selections of ales, craft beers and lagers, not to mention a great little pub when it comes to watching live sport, it’s long been considered an NQ institution.
Unfortunately, however, as confirmed by a sign posted in the window, Pie and Ale has now closed for business after more than a decade.
Safe to say, we’re absolutely gutted, as we’re sure everyone else is.
Credit: The Manc Eats
While no official announcement has been made on their social media as yet, which will no doubt receive love and sadness from its loyal following, the sign in the window simply reads: “Pie and Ale has unfortunately ceased trading. Apologies for any inconvenience.”
The local favourite which was always hailed for being great value for money – celebrated especially for its popular pie and a pint for under a tenner deal – also served up great nibbles and light bites as well as dessert specials.
Although the Lever Street spot previously shut down for a short spell back in 2018 due to what they labelled as “unforeseen circumstances” before reopening just two months later, this latest update looks pretty definitive.
Sister-site Bakerie also ceased trading back in April 2019, with husband and wife founders, Alyson Doocey and David Cook, admitting that all independents had been “feeling the squeeze”.
While we have few other details at this stage, it does look like Pie and Ale has indeed closed down for the foreseeable future.
A mainstay on our list of the best pies in Manchester since day dot and just the latest in the list of losses in 2024 so far, they will be sorely missed.
We sincerely hope this is like last time and will keep our fingers crossed that we see the pie pros and expert pourers back in business at some point.
Daisy Jackson -
24th April 2023 
