Manchester

Manchester cafe Idle Hands mobbed by huge swarm of bees who took over outdoor tables

'Fun day at the shop today'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th June 2023

One of the Northern Quarter’s most popular cafes had an unusual issue on Saturday afternoon, when tens of thousands of bees paid a visit.

It seems the swarm of bees had got wind of Idle Hands’ legendary pies and took over one of the venue’s outdoor tables.

The cafe had to call in a local beekeeper after the busy insects rendered their outside space too risky for customers to use.

Incredible photos captured by local photographer Andrew Stuart and shared by the cafe show a jaw-dropping mass of the insects congregating beneath a table.

The cafe, on the corner of Dale Street and Tariff Street, was saved by the Manchester Honey Company, who humanely scooped them away to safety.

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Idle Hands wrote on Instagram: “So, fun day at the shop today, with thousands of bees moving home and deciding to drop in on our shop and cluster under one of our tables (now forever to be known as the bee table) whilst on their journey.

“Massive thanks to @manchesterhoneycompany for coming and safely taking them away to a far more suitable home. And to @andrewstuart1 for capturing the event so well!”

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They had previously posted on their stories: “Erm, anyone know what we do about this??? Swarm of thousands out of nowhere.”

Manchester Honey Company said: “This swarm landed @idlehandscoffee in Manchester and was collected by @manchesterhoneycompany. The bees were so friendly and calm and we were so well looked after by the friendly staff.

“The bees were collected from under a table and put in the hive. The queen was in the hive so the rest of the bees followed her in.”

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The incident with Idle Hands is far from the first time that swarms of bees have caused disruption in the city centre.

Just last week, a massive swarm was spotted on a lamp post outside a popular pub near the Cathedral.

And in previous years, the creatures have taken over everything from people’s cars to posters advertising festivals.

@the.manc

Idle Hands is the best place for pie 😍 #themanc #manchestercafe #manchesterfood #fyp #eatinmanchester

♬ Chillest in the Room – L.Dre

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Featured image: Instagram, Idle Hands

Manchester

Didsbury favourite Rustik has confirmed its will sadly be closing this month

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rustik West Didsbury closing for good end of the month

West Didsbury favourite Rustik has sadly announced it will be closing for food after a decade at the end of this month.

The beloved Burton cafe and bar has been a staple of the tight-knit foodie neighbourhood since 2015, but now the independent Irish eatery has confirmed that the business will be shutting down permanently in less than a fortnight.

Confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, 17 September, the casual Manc restaurant and hangout informed their loyal followers of the unfortunate news.

Unsurprisingly, their social media has been awash with condolences, collective sadness and support for the local institution.

Posting across all of their accounts, Rustik wrote: “After an unforgettable 10 years on Burton Road, the time has come to close our doors. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come — never in a million years did we imagine Rustik would grow into what it became.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single one of you who walked through our doors and supported us along the way. We poured everything we had — our time, our energy, our lives into making Rustik a space for everyone. And what a ride it’s been.

“From the chaotic, beautiful brunch shifts to late nights dancing on tables to ‘Wagon Wheel’, pushing through the challenges of COVID and helping our community with meals during hard times— we’ve done it all, together.

“To our amazing staff, past and present: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and the love you brought every single day. You helped build something truly special, and we’ll never be able to thank you enough.

“To the incredible musicians who filled our space with life — keep doing what you do. The noise complaints? 100% worth the unforgettable nights.”

On a personal note, we’d like to thank them for their cult classic pub quizzes, which were some of the best in Manchester and regularly packed out every week. If you know, you know.

@the.manc Pub quiz and 80p wings – what a sick night!👏🏻😎 #themanc #rustik #didsbury #greatermanchester #westdidsbury #pubquiz ♬ Sunrise – Official Sound Studio

The team go on to detail that the official closing date is Tuesday, 30 September, reiterating that it is “business running as usual until then” and urging fans to “come down, grab your last Rustik fix, and raise a glass with us one final time.”

Signing off with an emotional farewell, they add: “Lastly, a message close to our hearts: please support your local cafes, bars, and independents. Hospitality is tough right now, and they need your support more than ever.

“Thank you for the most incredible decade of our lives. It’s over and out from us.”

It goes without saying that we’re gutted to see Rustik go and know how much it meant not only to the Burton Road community, but also to the Didsbury community, Chorlton and many other Greater Manchester natives.

Award-winning chippy in Prestwich announces heartbreaking restaurant closure
Saying goodbye to these places isn’t getting any easier.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Rustik West Didsbury (via Facebook)

Manchester

Fred Again and Caribou to play intimate gig at Amber’s in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Fred Again and Caribou to play intimate gig at Amber's in Manchester

Fred Again, arguably the world’s most in-demand DJ and producer, has announced a super intimate gig in Manchester this week.

He’ll be joined by equally massive name Caribou for a very special night at Amber’s nightclub in the city centre.

Also performing with Fred Again will be Zuri, a resident DJ at the club.

Fred Again teased the news to his mailing list last night, saying he was ‘so happy’ to be playing in a ‘really important independent venue’.

The hugely popular producer is no stranger to a Manchester gig, having headlined Parklife in 2023 and popped up for a surprise set at Warehouse Project later the same year.

That was dubbed the ‘best Warehouse Project there has ever been’ by people in the room – so the chance to see him at Amber’s is going to be pretty wild.

Fred Again sent a ticket link to fans registered in Manchester, which appear to have sold out immediately.

He wrote in his mailer: “cos it’s a very small venue i really wanna make sure the tickets go to the people who are more likely to be from Manchester based on what the team see when you’ve signed up for things before. so yeah, that’s why you’re getting this first :)”

Sharing the news on his Instagram stories today, he added: “i am playing a small show at @ambers.club
in Manchester this thursday with @cariboumusic and @zuri_fernandez. a handful of tickets have been sent to the ppl we know are in manny, we did it this way jus to try and stop resellers and stuff ykno”

Fred Again added: “massive love to amber’s for making it possible. another really important independent venue i’m so happy i get to play in.”

Amber’s is a no-phones nightclub that’s famed for its sound system.

Fred Again and Caribou will take to the stage at Amber’s on Thursday 18 September.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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