One of Manchester’s most legendary bakeries has officially closed its doors,leaving a gaping hole in the city’s Chinatown district.
Ho’s Bakery, famed for its fluffy filled buns served at bargain prices, has been part of the city’s food scene for more than 40 years.
It first opened in 1980 and was the first bakery in our lively Chinatown.
But now the shutters have fallen on its cafe and it seems Ho’s Bakery has gone for good.
An eviction notice has been taped to the door of the Faulkner Street business, and it is now listed as permanently closed on Google.
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Ho’s Bakery was an institution at the heart of Chinatown / Credit: The Manc Group
Mancunians are devastated at the news, with one person saying it was the ‘saddest discovery’ and another commenting that they were ‘totally gutted’.
Back in July, someone Tweeted: “Do we know if Ho’s Bakery are reopening soon?
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If they’ve closed down for good and none of us started a crowdfunder, I’ll be so disappointed in us.”
Honey buns, at Ho's Bakery. Because it's a traditional pudding on a lad's day out. pic.twitter.com/tXhBq3a6W5
— Thom Hetherington (@ThomHetheringto) July 28, 2017
Ho’s Bakery was best-known for its £1.50 char siu pork buns, a lunchtime staple for many who work in the city centre.
It also served crusty honey buns and tortoise-shaped coconut jam buns.
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On Twitter, one person posted: “My saddest discovery in Manchester yesterday was to have it confirmed that Ho’s bakery in Chinatown has indeed closed down for good. I am bereft at this news. Their cakes and spring rolls were just the best.”
Another wrote: “I’ve been going to Mr Ho’s bakery in Chinatown in Manchester for 40 years. I haven’t been during lockdown. Went along yesterday and found it had closed down with a bailiff notice attached to the door. Totally gutted.”
Someone else said: “Sad to see that Mr. Ho’s Bakery on Faulkner St. in #Manchester Chinatown has closed. Hope all the lovely staff are OK. Will miss that little corner space for lunch. They’d been open for 40 years before the pandemic!”
Featured image – The Manc Group
News
Chinatown restaurant issues CCTV appeal after customer literally RUNS away without paying
Daisy Jackson
Noodle Alley, a cosy restaurant in Chinatown, has shared CCTV footage of a customer literally running away with an unpaid bill.
The noodle bar is famed for its spicy dishes, hailing from co-owner Wendy Ren’s native Sichuan province.
It’s become a firm favourite in Manchester’s Chinatown since launching in 2023 – but the team have been left stung by a customer dine-and-dash this week.
And it’s the most literal case of a dine-and-dash we’ve ever seen, with CCTV footage shared by Noodle Alley showing the moment the customer sprints out the door, with impressive speed for a man in sliders.
The video also shows the staff chasing the runaway customer, to no avail.
In a heartfelt statement shared online, Noodle Alley said that ‘every meal matters’ when small businesses like theirs are struggling with rising costs.
They also said that the CCTV has been sent to the police in the hopes of catching the man.
In their full statement, Noodle Alley wrote: “Today, someone ran away from our restaurant without paying.
“This isn’t just about the money. Small independent businesses are already struggling with rising costs, and dealing with people who deliberately run away without paying makes it even harder.
“Every meal, every member of staff, and every genuine customer matters.
“Our team reacted immediately and tried to catch him, but he disappeared within seconds.
“We have a very clear CCTV image of the individual, and all the evidence has been passed to the relevant authorities.
“To everyone who chooses to support small independent businesses like ours, thank you. Your kindness and support help keep businesses like ours going.”
Murder investigation launched after injured woman found dead at house in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
A murder investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Bolton.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers responded to reports of an assault on Yewdale Avenue in Bolton at around 3:15am yesterday morning (4 August 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman who had ‘sustained injuries’ and was unresponsive
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman – who is said to be in her 30s – was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning, police confirmed.
Police say they believe this is an ‘isolated incident’ with no wider public threat.
With a murder investigation now proceeding at pace, GMP is appealing to the public for information. They said in a statement: “We understand how troubling this news will be, and whilst formal identification has yet to take place, the believed family are being supported by specialist officers.”
“A scene will remain in place as officers continue the investigation and we will have an increased police presence in the area.
“I’d like to reassure you that this was an isolated incident that is not believed to pose a wider risk to the public, and we currently have a man in custody in relation to the incident.
“I urge anyone who may have information to support our enquiries to please come forward”.
Daisy Jackson -
12th November 2021 
