Get Baked, the bakery behind the viral, sell-out Bruce Bogtrotter-inspired chocolate cakes, has just announced a big change in its plans to open in Manchester.
The internet’s favourite sweet treat supplier has ‘changed its mind’ about the original site it had chosen in the city (we did wonder what the delay from May had been…)
Get Baked was set to open on Peter Street, in the weird pointy glass bit attached to Impossible.
But now it’s switched up the plans and is instead ready to take over a spot on Stevenson Square, right in the heart of the Northern Quarter.
In an update shared online today, Get Baked confirmed that the new spot will be a dine-in spot as well as a store for its bakery, where you can have coffee, pie, and a slice of its legendary 24-layer chocolate cake.
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The cake used to be known as Bruce, named after the Matilda character, but has recently rebranded to Bertha with a slightly adjusted recipe.
In Get Baked’s statement, they said that their first Manchester location looks set to open in November.
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They wrote: “People of Manchester. You might remember some time ago I announced that we were opening a store in your city. You definitely do remember, because it’s all anyone ever asks about.
“Well, the reason for the delay is that I changed my mind on the site, so we’re going here instead.
“It’s in Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter.
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Get Baked has shared an update on its plans to open in Manchester. Credit: Get BakedGet Baked will be opening on Stevenson Square in November. Credit: Get Baked
“You’ll be able to eat-in and enjoy some pie and a coffee. Maybe even a slice of Bertha on a big fuck-off plate?
“It’s just so wonderful — you’d be forgiven for being unable to breathe at this point due to an overwhelming feeling of joy.
“Also, I’d like to apologise to @manchestereveningnews who did a story about the opening and now it’s all meaningless because it’s the wrong location — please do get in touch and I’ll fill you right in.
“Hopefully opening in November. GB”
We’ll be eagerly following along for updates (and getting hungry) on Get Baked’s Instagram page.
Enormous Manchester venue set to open (again) after brief rebrand
Daisy Jackson
A huge, glamorous restaurant and bar space looks set to reopen just months after it closed down and attempted to rebrand.
SakkuSamba announced back in June that it was closing for a short while to undergo a refurbishment.
That news came after two years hosting all-you-can-eat sushi dinners and star-studded parties in Spinningfields, like an afterparty with Ne-Yo following his show at the AO Arena.
They wrote at the time: “Exciting News! We will be closing our doors on June 2nd for an exciting refurbishment and upgrade. We’re sorry to be closing for a little while, but stay tuned for updates over the next couple of weeks as we begin this transition!
“We can’t wait to show you what’s coming next soon!”
But then SakkuSamba never reopened and the space instead became Raft, essentially Manchester’s most boujie buffet.
Raft had a huge dining room upstairs, a hidden club room, a ‘toilet disco’, 360-degree DJ booths, and a ‘coastal boozer’ on the ground floor.
The restaurant when it was previously SakkuSamba. Credit: The Manc GroupVs when it was Raft. Credit: The Manc Group
Raft was only open for three months when it was suddenly bolted shut, with a forteiture notice in the window that was apparently linked to a ‘historic dispute’.
And now, in an unexpected twist in events, SakkuSamba has shared that it’s coming back to Manchester.
Keeping up okay? Let’s continue.
In the first post since announcing the temporary closure and refurbishment of both of its restaurants (in Manchester and in Bradford), SakkuSamba wrote: “SakkuSamba 2025. Manchester keep your eyes peeled, major announcement coming soon.”
If it follows the same format it took previously, that means a fusion of Brazilian and Japanese cuisine together in a swanky all-you-can-eat setting.
And hopefully it’ll last longer than poor Raft did…
Northern Quarter craft beer bar Fierce Bar announces sudden closure
Thomas Melia
A much loved independent craft beer bar in the heart of the Northern Quarter is set to close before the end of the year.
Fierce Bar, which opened in Manchester city centre in 2020, has been a firm favourite for Mancs and visitors alike with their range of beers and IPAs.
The Fierce Beer company has established itself as a leading force within the beer community winning ‘Scottish Brewery of the Year in 2021’ and numerous Scottish Beer Awards.
Their wide range of drink flavours pay homage to varieties from the USA and offered people who frequented their Thomas Street site in the Northern Quarter were treated to a refreshing taste of the transatlantic.
The Thomas Street bar had previously been home to 57 Thomas Street, a bar operated by Marble Brewery, which also operates The Marble Arch.
In a post on social media which opens with, “Some sad news…”, the company have stated: “We face continually spiralling costs that unfortunately mean it’s going to be unsustainable to continue operating the venue viably going forward”.
There’s still some hope as beer brand have also announced: “This is not the end for Fierce Beer south of the border though; we’re continuing to keep an eye on the market and aim to get back as soon as we can with a new physical location.”
Anyone wanting to continue the bar’s legacy in Manchester can sport the indie establishment’s range of t-shirts, hats and funky glasses, some of which adorned the walls.
Being a Scottish born and bred brewery, if you’re still after your alcohol fix, you can still visit their two other locations in Edinburgh and Aberdeen next time you’re heading up north.
The last day of trade for Fierce Bar will be 20 December where the founders Dave and Louise will be heading to the Manchester site say a sad goodbye.
As it will be the final night of service ever, the team are urging anyone to pop down for a pint or two to commemorate the Manchester home.
It’s a shame to see such a well-used city centre social space shutting its doors, however Fierce Beer loyalists fear not as their online website is still very much alive and thriving here.
Daisy Jackson -
4th September 2024 
