It’s widely considered the best place to get a Manchester tart and has been for decades, but as of December Failsworth bakery Robinson’s will be closing its doors.
First established in 1864 the business has survived two World Wars, the Covid-19 pandemic, and a quarter million pound energy bill at the start of the cost of living crisis.
It’s a properly Mancunian, family-run business and has been for over a century, but its owners have now made the decision to close up shop for good after trying and failing to sell the business.
For decades, Robinson’s has widely been considered the best place to get a Manchester tart – comprised of a shortcrust pastry shell spread with raspberry jam and custard filling, topped with flakes of coconut and a Maraschino cherry.
Ever since the traditional pudding’s inception, Mancunians in the know have flocked to Robinson’s for the goodies.
Now, though, that all looks like it could change, despite the business being “busier than ever.”
A statement shared on Robinson’s Instagram page on Monday morning announces that the bakery will close its doors for the last time on 16 December 2023.
The statement, signed by the owners’ daughter Grace Robinson, talks about how the business has stretched across three generations of the family and how their shared passion for baking has shaped their lives.
The full statement reads: “It is with great sadness I am writing this to inform you as of 16th December 2023 Robinsons Artisan Family Bakery will be closing its doors.
“We put the business up for sale earlier this year. This was due to several factors, but the overwhelming factors were the economic crisis and the ever-increasing cost of energy, utilities, and never-ending spiralling cost of ingredients.
“Sadly, as of now, we have not been able to sell the business, therefore we have had to make this very difficult decision. We will open for the last time on December 16th.
Image: Robinson’s Bakery
“Established in 1864 and passed down through six generations, I feel extremely grateful to have had the past 23 years’ experience being taught to be a baker and a business owner by my grandad Arthur, and my dad David. As a kid it was all I ever wanted to do, and to this day I still love being a baker, it really is my passion.
“I am thoroughly thankful to our whole team who have helped to make our bakery shop what it has grown to be, and I wish them all success in their journeys going forward.
“Until 16th December our shop will be open, and we will keep our shelves stocked for our customers. We would like to say a huge thank you to all of you for supporting us through two world wars, two recessions, a Great Depression, covid, multiple supermarket and fast food chains opening closer and closer and many more obstacles. Unfortunately, the struggles of 2023 have proved to just be too much.
“The greatest of thanks goes to my parents who finally get to retire. I think they have stuck around for so long because my sister Emma, and I were so passionate for our family business to survive and thrive.
“We almost made it to 160 years.
“Thank you for reading. Grace Robinson”
Featured image – Robinson’s Bakery
Eats
Beloved bowling bar to close after 12 years ahead of major transformation
Daisy Jackson
Dog Bowl, a bowling bar that’s been part of Manchester’s bar scene for 12 years, will be closing for good next month ahead of a major rebrand.
The beloved bowling alley will be shutting down on 16 August to make way for Wynwood Lanes, a new downtown Miami-themed venue.
It’s promising ‘pool-side party vibes’ inspired by Miami’s vibrant Wynwood district, famed for its bold geometric murals, neon lit streets and 24/7 energy – but bowling lanes will remain as part of the venue.
The bar will offer five upgraded bowling lanes, east coast playlists, celebratory smoke machines and upgraded lighting effects that bring every strike to life.
That’s alongside new pool tables, basketball hoops and a coconut shy.
Taking over the kitchens at the Whitworth Street venue will be Kong’s NQ, who’ll be serving up fresh Cuban sandwiches, meat-filled arepas and fried chicken tacos.
Wynwood Lanes will also feature a bottomless brunch menu every Saturday and Sunday from 30 August, with Miami brunch plates and bottomless drinks for 90 minutes and bowling packages available too.
The drinks menu will star cocktails inspired by Miami – think frozen margs, fruity daiquiris, and coladas.
By day, you can expect poolside cocktails, low-fi tunes, and a laid-back atmosphere – with children welcome until 7pm, Sunday to Wednesday.
But then by night, Wynwood Lanes will be all about drinks offers, late night snacks and a late night playlist.
Dog Bowl has been part of Manchester’s nightlife scene since 2013, and was acquired by gaming bar NQ64 in 2018.
Now it’s ready for its next era as Wynwood Lanes.
Credit: The-Vain – Carl Sukonik – @thevainphotosCredit: The-Vain – Carl Sukonik – @thevainphotosDog Bowl is closing in Manchester to become Wynward Lanes
Matt Robson, Co-founder of Wynwood Lanes, said: “We went and sat in Dog Bowl recently and just realised we weren’t proud of it anymore – (especially the name, we no longer want to compete with pet shops on Google).
“Wynwood Lanes will bring something new to Whitworth Street and we’re buzzing to crack on with it!
“We have a hit list of passions from a trip to Wynwood in Miami and built a space that brings together the things we love – drinking rum and tequila, smashing avo on toast with Cuban coffee for brunch, tacos and fried chicken at night, playing and watching basketball, sharking people at pool and partying late into the night…”
Bowling prices will start at £9 with food and drink add-ons while you bowl available.
Wynwood Lanes will open at 4pm on Friday 22 August.
Featured image: The-Vain – Carl Sukonik – @thevainphotos
Eats
Inside the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hotel Chocolat has today opened the doors to its first Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester, serving up shakes, hot chocolates, sundaes, and loads more.
Part cafe, part retail space, inside you’ll find everything from molten chocolate fountains to a full range of chocolate boxes, bars and hot chocolate powders.
The popular chocolatier has stores up and down the UK selling its ethically-sourced sweet treats, hitting a new level of fame with its Velvetiser, an invention that creates velvety smooth hot drinks at the touch of a button.
They’ve been so popular, Hotel Chocolat is now opening Velvetiser Cafes across the UK – and Manchester is next.
There are exclusive-to-Manchester-sundaes in store, each one inspired by their most popular chocolates, like a Billionaire’s Shortbread and an Eton Mess.
You can also grab yourself a hot choc shake, with loads of flavours, milks and toppings to choose from.
Hotel Chocolat’s new Velvetiser Cafe in ManchesterThe chocolate boxes at Hotel ChocolatInside the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe in ManchesterMix-and-match hot chocolate selection boxesInside the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe in ManchesterExclusive-to-Manchester ice cream sundaesCroissant with a molten chocolate potInside the Velvetiser Cafe in ManchesterInside the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester
The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe also has pastries, which you can order with a side of melted chocolate for dipping and drizzling.
As part of the experience inside, there’s a wall of hot chocolate sachets, which you can mix and match to build your own selection box.
And all along the way there’ll be samples, and loads to learn about the chocolate industry.
The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe has officially opened its doors today on Cross Street in Manchester city centre, just next to the new Joe & The Juice.
Georgina Pellant -
25th September 2023 
