It was sadly announced earlier this week that Cat Cafe Manchester was to permanently close the doors of its Northern Quarter premises “due to COVID-19”.
The chain’s Manchester branch became the latest business to close in the wake of the ongoing pandemic.
Confirming its closure on social media on Monday, Cat Cafe Manchester said: “We are truly heartbroken to announce this news, however due to COVID-19, Cat Cafe Manchester will be closing its doors.
“It has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, [though] as it stands we simply cannot afford to continue in our current unit [but] we hope to relaunch in a new premises once the pandemic is over, so please continue to bear with us through this very difficult time.”
The cafe was founded by sisters Ellie and Sarah Close in 2016, with a mission to “give you a new perspective” and “encourage the people of Britain’s greatest cities to be more cat”.
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Before its closure, visitors paid to enter the cafe and spend time with its feline residents – who lounge around on a plethora of cushions and cat climbing frames – and was also popular with passers-by too, who could often be seen cat-watching through the floor to ceiling windows.
And it’s those very feline fans who have set up a fundraising page in the hopes of raising £5,000 to support the much-loved venue in its future endeavours.
The GoFundMe fundraiser has been organised by frequent Cat Cafe Manchester visitor Lindsay Cooke.
“I know that money is tight at the moment with many people furloughed or out of work but anything that people can spare would help so much.” Lindsay explained.
“Many people will say “well it’s just a cafe why should we donate?”,
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“[But] it’s not just a cafe with cats, they staff offer various film nights and times for autistic people to visit, as well as quiz evenings and other fun things.”
Lindsay continued: “For me, the closure of this happy place is upsetting as I am an autistic adult who is also disabled [and] this was my place to relax and be happy after a stressful day at work.
“I don’t know where I will go if this place closes as I need routine to keep me grounded.
“This place means the world to me and many others.”
Mental health and autism was always important to Cat Cafe Manchester.
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“We had a lot of people with autism that used to come with carers and all sorts of things we used to do.” Owner Sarah Close explained to the MEN.
“One of the reasons we set the cafe up was because we think that cats can help with people’s mental health.”
Ellie and Sarah said they are “truly heartbroken” to say goodbye to the venue, but hope to reopen in a new unit once COVID-19 restrictions are relaxed, with Ellie adding: “It is really sweet that customers are fundraising to help save the cafe.
“We didn’t expect it at all.
“It’s such a difficult time financially for everybody, so it’s lovely to see people really want a cat cafe to stay in Manchester [and] as you can see from the responses, we have become a really loved venue in Manchester over the last four years.
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“Any money that is raised is incredibly appreciated by myself and Sarah.
“It will help us be able to relaunch in a new unit once the pandemic is over, along with hopefully providing job security for our wonderful staff.”
Pair jailed after filming themselves driving over 130mph before killing man in fatal Manchester collision
Emily Sergeant
Two men who filmed themselves driving at speeds of over 130mph before a fatal collision earlier this year have now been jailed.
20-year-old Uways Hussain, of Marley Road in Manchester, has been sentenced to 11 years and eight months in prison, while 23-year-old Usmon Mahmood, of Buller Road in Manchester, has been sentenced to 12 years and nine months.
Their sentences follow a night of what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) called ‘dangerous driving’ around the South Manchester area, which started at around 11pm on the evening before the collision.
The vehicle – a Volkswagon Golf – belonged to Mahmood, but he allowed Hussain to drive the vehicle at high-speed throughout the night.
On the evening prior to the collision, beginning at around 11pm, Hussain and Mahmood were driving recklessly around the South Manchester area.
According to police, the pair filmed themselves consistently travelling at speeds of over 100mph on 30mph roads, and in several cases, theyvreached over 130mph and seconds before impact, were recorded at 139mph.
Recorded footage also showed them running red lights and weaving through traffic with no regard for the safety of other road users or pedestrians.
At one stage during the night, the pair stopped at a petrol station, where footage shows Mahmood inhaling from a balloon in the passenger seat, while later o Hussain can be seen doing over 100mph and also appearing to be inhaling from a balloon while driving.
The fatal collision happened at around 4:36am on Monday 9 March 2026 at the junction of Green End Road and Kingsway, where the victim – Sylvester Abayomi, 50 – was on his way to work and entered the junction on a green light, believing it was safe to proceed, but was then struck by the car being driven by Hussain, which had travelled through a red light at extremely high speed.
Sylvester Abayomi / Credit: GMP
Immediately following the collision, GMP received several emergency calls and an automatic alert from Hussain’s Apple Watch saying he had been involved in a collision.
During this alert, both men could be heard discussing plans to flee the scene and attempting to decide what evidence they needed to remove from the vehicle. They were also heard discussing reporting the vehicle as stolen, and shortly afterwards, they booked an Uber to escape.
Emergency services attended the scene, but sadly, despite their best efforts, Sylvester sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead.
GMP says it received its first report of the incident at 4:37am,, and within 12 minutes the pair had been located, caught, and arrested by officers.
DC Thomas Johnson, from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, described the incident as ‘one of the most extreme cases of dangerous driving we have encountered’.
It’s also believed that this is one of the first times in the country where a passenger has been convicted for aid and abetting causing death by dangerous driving.
Featured Image – GMP
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Stockport band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year
Thomas Melia
Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked lineup.
They might have a ‘Joke About Divorce’ from time to time, but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, having played at Bramham Park three times in the past decade already.
The Stockport band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track ‘Charlemagne’ and more recently with the addition of their fifth studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot fiberglass gorilla.
Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles, and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they visit this August bank holiday weekend.
As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.
The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as ‘Special Guests’, appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.
Also listed on the lineup are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K’s and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.
Whether you’re there for ‘Your Girlfriend’ or ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’, one thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.
Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
13th January 2021 
