One of Manchester’s best-loved independent cafes has been ordered to close its popular takeaway coffee cart in Prestwich by the council.
Federal Cafe Bar – known for bringing “Antipodean happiness to Manchester” – has developed a loyal following of customers since opening its first city centre branch in the Northern Quarter in 2014 and its second site on Deansgate in 2019, but due to several lockdowns and ongoing restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, both sites have been restricted to takeaway-only services.
So, in an attempt to boost trade and bring some staff back from furlough, owner Claudio Ribeiro decided to open a coffee cart in Altrincham Market back in January – and it proved to be a massive hit.
Acting on the popularity of the Altrincham endeavour, Mr Ribero said he wanted to the do the same in his hometown of Prestwich to try and “bring something different” to the area, so he struck a deal with brewers to set up outside local pub The White Horse two weeks ago.
In the two days the cart was there, it went down a treat with locals and walkers alike.
ADVERTISEMENT
But sadly, Bury Council has since ordered Federal to move on as it says the the coffee cart was operating in a ‘legally prohibited trading zone’, which covers the area between Bury New Road, Fairfax Road and Rectory Lane in Prestwich town centre.
Speaking to the MEN on the short-lived success of the Prestwich cart, Claudio Ribiero said: “The two days we were there, we did really well.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We sold about 200 coffees each day.
“I was on private land, so I thought it would be fine if I paid a little bit to the pub [but] obviously that was incorrect and I needed to apply for a licence.”
Although Mr Ribero has admitted that he “should have checked” with the council first, he believes they could have done more to work with him and claims that when he asked whether he could apply for a licence to trade in the area, he was told not to bother by council officials.
ADVERTISEMENT
He also suspects another business may have complained to the council about the coffee cart too.
“It’s a shame because I would like to go back there,” Mr Ribeiro continued.
“I’m not trying to interfere with anybody else, we are just trying to get back to normal and trade in some way [and] I live in Prestwich and pay my council tax to Bury Council.
“We should have checked, but the council could also have tried to understand that things are a little difficult right now.
“If the [Manchester City Council] had the same view, we would never have been able to open last summer [so] why can’t Bury Council do something like that and allow [Prestwich town centre] to be a little more alive?
ADVERTISEMENT
“I think they need to be a little more open-minded.”
Federal Cafe Bar
In response to Mr Ribero’s comments, a spokesperson for Bury Council said: “We have every sympathy for businesses who have suffered during the coronavirus lockdowns, and will do everything we can to help them through these difficult times.
“This person, however, had unknowingly set up in a legally prohibited trading zone.
“This has covered the central shopping district of Prestwich village since 1997, and is there to protect the interests of local businesses. He can, though, trade outside this zone, as long as he applies for a street trading permit, which would also allow our environmental health officers to ensure that his premises (van) meet food safety standards.
“We have sent him the relevant application forms and have been assisting him with the process.”
Food & Drink
Aether – Manchester Airport’s new private terminal that treats passengers like royalty
Thomas Melia
An all new private terminal experience is launching at Manchester Airport giving you the chance to travel like the rich and famous.
With a £1.5 billion refurbed Terminal 2 steadily opening various eateries and boutiques paired with this new private terminal experience, Manchester Airport might just take the biscuit for one of the bougiest airports in the UK (don’t bring Terminal 3 into this…).
Aether is a brand new airport experience exclusive to Manchester Airport, which looks after passengers to such a degree that it even has a group of chauffeurs to take you to or from your journey to the aircraft in a fleet of BMWs.
Guests are greeted with nothing but relaxation, with Aether on hand to bring refreshments, including an exclusive menu curated by Adam Reid, of The French fame.
And just because it’s a private terminal doesn’t mean you need a private jet to board – the Aether experience is accessible to all those travelling to and from Manchester Airport, regardless of ticket class.
The private terminal’s minimalistic and modern interior is a beautiful space to relax before you jet off on your holiday or business trip.
Aether may guarantee a private and relaxing time in their sanctuary but they certainly don’t hold back on all the offers and goodies passengers are treated to.
This private terminal supplies its jet-setters with three separate packages to choose from depending on how engulfed guests would like to be in this world of luxury.
An ‘Express’ service will cost you £90 and includes select benefits such as a chauffeur and general access to the private terminal.
A taster of the menu from Adam Reid. Credit: Toby Mitchell The lounge in Manchester Airport’s new private terminal. Credit: Toby Mitchell
Guests who would like a little more pampering and a sample of the delicacies taken from the exquisite menu can do so for £150 and £170 under the ‘Inclusive’ package which has two branches depending on whether your party has cabin bags or checked luggage.
Instead of just transport and leisure covered, the ‘Inclusive’ deal provides complimentary alcoholic and soft drinks, an exclusive dining menu curated by Adam Reid and access to terminal private security.
If you’re considering this ‘elevated airport experience’ travellers can arrive up to three hours before departure and must get to this relaxing space at least one hour before your flight.
The private terminal will be opening every day from 4am meaning holidaymakers get to put their feet up and properly rest before they fly through the sky.
You can even visit the private terminal just to taste the delicacies of The Midland Hotel Chef as starting from £40 non-flyers can also taste the high life.
If you want to book your first private terminal experience at Aether in Manchester Airport already, more information can be found on the company’s website here.
The new hidden Manchester cocktail bar that’s actually trying to stay secret
Daisy Jackson
There was a time a couple of years ago where ‘secret’ bars were all the rage – except they threw big launch parties and had queues outside and weren’t very secret at all.
But one new cocktail bar in Manchester has done such a good job of flying under the radar that even we, who live and breathe local food and drink, have only just discovered it.
And it’s been open for months.
This particular hidden cocktail bar has brought a little taste of Tokyo’s underground bar scene to Manchester, in both the decor and the drinks menu.
It’s a bar that’s flooded with red lighting and synth music, with a carefully thought-out drinks menu showing off Japanese whiskeys and other spirits from the continent.
Kodo has done a good job of avoiding too much attention, even though it’s not gone for the usual ‘secret bar’ tactics that most venues use.
It’s not hiding behind a launderette like The Washhouse, or a pawn shop like Dusk Til Pawn, or a completely blank door like Behind Closed Doors.
Instead, it’s hiding behind a huge, bright red door painted with a mysterious, anime-style eye, with black wisps of hair across it. Oftentimes, there’s dry ice pouring out from underneath the door.
So once you track it down there’s no mistaking that you’ve found it.
Kodo might be a ‘secret bar’ but once you work out the location, the big door makes it pretty obvious. Credit: The Manc GroupInside secret bar Kodo it’s an ode to underground Japan in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
On arrival, you have to ring the bell beside the door, ready for a letterbox to fling open and a pair of eyes to peer out at you.
Then you need to show an image on your phone to the mystery figure behind the door (the image changes every week) before you’re granted access to this clandestine cocktail bar.
Kodo is worth the effort though.
Inside it’s smoky and sultry, with modern red light installations overhead, a blue-lit bar, and brick walls painted with more anime-style art.
A delicious Pomelo Paloma at Kodo Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupInside secret Manchester bar Kodo. Credit: The Manc Group
Kodo is serving some of the city’s most exciting drinks, from old fashioneds infused with shiitake mushrooms to martinis made with marmalade and yuzu sake.
It’s been open for about four months and has been busy the whole time, with word-of-mouth helping to pull in a steady stream of curious punters.
It’s working so well because all those customers who have visited have bought into the secret element – as far as we can see, no one has actually slapped the location online anywhere. That’s a bit of a miracle in this day and age.
We’ve been sworn to secrecy on the location – but check out @kodomanchester on Instagram for clues.
Emily Sergeant -
9th March 2021 
