Another Burton Road favourite is back in action this week – the wildly popular seventies-style food and drink hub Mary & Archie.
Having remained closed since the start of the the pandemic, the independent cafe bar has now relaunched in its original spot with a takeout and click & collect service – much to the joy of regulars.
For eight years, Mary & Archie has been attracting an eclectic crowd throughout the week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and local beers.
They’re part of the Burton Road furniture – and Didsbury hasn’t been quite the same without them.
Mary & Archie
“We just want to say a massive thank you to all our customers,” General Manager ‘Fletch’ explains.
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“We set up a fundraiser at the start of the pandemic when things were looking particularly bad, and the support from the community was amazing.
“It’s thanks to them that we’re still going and we’re really glad to be back.”
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Adorned in funky seventies art and decor, Mary & Archie has found its groove over the past decade as the go-to spot for almost every kind of occasion – be it a morning fry-up, afternoon coffee or an evening cocktail.
“We’ve got a calm and cosy vibe that people really like,” says Fletch.
“People visit at all times of the day. We’ve got loads of regulars – many of them have already been down to check out the new paint job we’ve added – and there’s quite a mix of customers on the whole.
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“I think we’ve been popular because we’re a great place for people who want something a little bit different.
“We get all the dates coming here. Tinder has been massive for us!”
The cafe bar caters for a diverse range of palates, too – with burgers, wraps, tacos, brunches, salads and wings all on the menu.
“We’re proud of our food – it really is good,” says Fletch.
“The jerk chicken goes down really well, but the veggie and vegan options are also really popular.”
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Dining options will be temporarily reduced whilst Mary & Archie gets up and running again, and staff are taking extra steps to keep customers safe during the reopening phase.
“Right now, everything is outside with 2m distancing in place, but we’re getting a bit of an action plan together for when we’re allowed to reopen fully again, whenever that may be,” Fletch tells us.
“We’re quite a small place so we’ll have to make some changes, maybe taking half the tables out.
“But for the time being it’s going to be great just to see people again.
“We’ve got such a good, friendly crowd.”
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Visit Mary & Archie at 200 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 2LW.
— Barefoot Spooky Bartender 👣💀🍹 (@barefoottiki) October 10, 2024
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C.
“It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap.”
BBC Weather shared: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us.
“In the meantime here are Thursday’s weather headlines: -Colder, clearer air moving in -Rain and drizzle in south -Blustery showers near east coast”
And national treasure Carol Kirkwood said live on air: “We are having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast, in fact, hurricane strength and that is not the case at all.
“Please don’t be alarmed. We are aware of it and on it.”
At the time of writing, the BBC Weather forecast service is still predicting hurricane force winds for the UK. Eek.
BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
New 44-storey skyscraper proposed that could change one of Manchester’s most famous views
Emily Sergeant
Plans for a massive new 44-storey residential skyscraper in the heart of the city centre have been revealed.
But does this mean it could change one Manchester‘s most famous views?
Located on what has been referred to as a “prominent site” adjacent to Deansgate train station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop at Whitworth Street West, these dramatic proposals would see the development of 364 apartments set over 44 storeys – with more 7,750 sq ft of active space on the ground, first, and second floor levels.
Developers Glenbrook say the building has been designed to “respond to the city’s heritage”, most-notably through its three-storey arched terracotta colonnade at street level.
Well-lit new green spaces, the enhancing of existing pedestrian routes, and seamless integration with the surrounding communities, all form part of the landscaping proposals for the bold new project.
“As a Manchester-based developer, we are excited about the prospect of embarking on a landmark development in the heart of our city, admitted Daniel Roberts, who is the Development Director at Glenbrook, as the proposals were unveiled this week.
“Whitworth Street West is undergoing a period of revitalisation, and Glenbrook are incredibly proud to be playing such an integral part in its future.”
A CGI of a proposed skyscraper on Whitworth Street West in Manchester / Credit: Glenbrook
A public consultation on the plans has now been launched, and will be live up until 28 October, as well as a dedicated in-person event, where representatives from Glenbrook and the design team will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback, scheduled to take place at HOME MCR on First Street from 3:30-7:30pm on 15 October.
Residents, businesses, and interested stakeholders will have the opportunity to view the plans in detail, and provide their thoughts on the proposals.
The view of what Whitworth Street West currently looks like in October 2024 / Credit: The Manc Group
According to developers, the feedback gathered during the consultation will play a key role in shaping the final planning application – which will be submitted to the Manchester City Council in the coming months, and ultimately ensure the development meets the needs of the community.
The Manc -
12th June 2020 
