A community fundraiser has been launched to help rebuild Chorlton’s popular Phoenix Deli after it was destroyed in a fire last week.
The cafe is much-loved by locals for its tasty cakes, breakfasts and lunches, with many describing it as a “hidden gem” in an area saturated with popular restaurants and cafes.
But now the popular Manchester cafe and deli is under threat, after firefighters were called to the site on Oswald Road last week to attend to a late-night blaze – spending two hours battling the fire before suceeding to put it out.
According to Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue service, the source of the devastating blaze involved a chiller unit and a display cabinet inside the cafe. Now, the focus is on rebuilding and the Chorlton community have been quick to offer their help.
The cafe is much-loved by locals for its tasty cakes, breakfasts and lunches / Image: The Phoenix Cafe
Locals have rallied around its owners as they struggle to restore the cafe – which has suffered significant damage, caused by smoke and fire.
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Setting up a crowdfunder to help them fund the repairs, Sonia Harris explained what makes the cafe so special to the community and why locals are so keen to help restore it:
“We know how hard David and Co have worked to make it feel very homely and gorgeous over the last few year and seeing this was truly heartbreaking for all,” she said.
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“The café is much loved and treasured by the community and so chatting down our road we wanted to help out where we can, so have created this gofundme to try and raise a few pounds -to help David rebuild- least alone to get a few more of those wonderful retro crockery and pots he had in the café.”
Locals have rallied around its owners as they struggle to restore the cafe – which has suffered significant damage, caused by smoke and fire / Image: The Phoenix Cafe
It seems that her appeal has resonated with many, with the fundraiser already at £2,820 at the time of writing despite having only been created five days ago.
Many locals have chipped in, leaving comments to share what makes the cafe special to them and show support for the cafe’s owners.
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Donating £40 towards the fund, Ayako Sumers said: “I discovered this charming place during lockdown. Friendly and lovely place to chill with your friends. So shocked to find on Wed morning on the way to my walk what happened. I am now pleased to find David and Mark are eager to rebuild with Phoenix power. Wishing you all goes well!”
“Best cafe in Chorlton..happy to support them …plus Dave and Mark are absolute gentleman,” said donor Mark Napier.
Many have praised the breakfast items here, calling the cafe a “hidden gem” / Image: The Phoenix Cafe
And Stephen Fernley added: “Everything receives loving attention to detail from the decor to the sadly now incinerated tea cosy collection. Had so many good times here.
“The service is lovingly personal and far superior to the bland professionalism that is all too common in many establishments. Long live the Phoenix Deli!”
Neighbouring business the Thirsty Kkorean has also chipped in significantly, donating £300 to the fundraiser and commenting: “When I was about to close due to lock down, locals and community helped me alot. I am sending that love back to you. Stay strong and let us help you to stand on your feet again.”
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The fundraiser has been shared widely on social media and it seems that they have the full support of the community behind them, in a testament to how good the food and service is here.
Hopefully it won’t be long before the Phoenix cafe rises from the ashes. They’ve certainly got the name for it.
Neighbourhood Weekender reveals second wave of HUGE acts for summer lineup
Thomas Melia
Neighbourhood Weekender has just dropped another list of names for its 2025 lineup.
The Warrington-based festival is always stacked with mega acts, with this summer’s lineup being absolutely no different, and a whole new bunch of famous faces have just been announced this week too.
This new batch of bands and artists sees the addition of some rising stars, as well as some much-loved favourites.
First up on the impressive roster is Dylan John Thomas, who may be known for his rockstar tunes, but he also loves to break it up with a performance of ABBA classic ‘Mamma Mia’ from time to time.
Villanelle are also ready to raise the roof, and if that name sounds familiar to you, then that’s because the band is fronted by none other than Liam Gallagher’s son, Gene, while another big highlight on the lineup just announced is The Slow Readers Club.
Neighbourhood Weekender reveals second wave of HUGE acts for summer lineup / Credit: Supplied
This list doesn’t end there either, as busker-turned-overnight-star Alex Spencer is on the bill and is already proclaimed as one of the UK’s most promising songwriters.
Previously, this popular indie rock festival – which is taking place this May bank holiday weekend on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May – had already announced huge names like James, Stereophonics, The Wombats, and The Reytons as some of the acts performing across this two-day event.
If this second wave of names didn’t convince you enough to get a ticket already though, worry not, as more names are soon to be revealed.
Manchester to get ANOTHER new city centre park as plans get green light
Emily Sergeant
You wait 100 years for a new city centre park, and then two come along one after the other.
That’s right, merely a few years after Mayfield Park finally opened to the Manchester public after more than a century without one, it’s now been revealed that another park is planned for the city centre, as the Government has given the green light to a major new ‘digital campus’ bringing 7,000 civil service jobs to the region.
The new state-of-the-art hub, which will be known as Manchester Digital Campus, will be constructed on the site of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, alongside the new park.
As mentioned, the campus will bring together a number of Civil Service departments, all with a focus around digital skills, and the Government claims it will create ‘significant employment opportunities’ and ‘economic benefits’ in the region.
Ultimately, Government ministers say these ambitious plans are set to boost Manchester’s digital and tech sector.
Our proposed plans for the Manchester Digital Campus have received the green light!
The state-of-the-art campus in Ancoats will bring together a number of Civil Service departments with a focus around digital skills.
— Government Property Agency (the GPA) (@UKGovPropAgency) February 20, 2025
Alongside the new campus, however, is the perhaps even-more-exciting addition of a new urban park, which is aiming to improve access to quality green space for city centre residents and visitors, while also creating a connection to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and through to Ancoats and New Islington.
The park space has been designed in collaboration with landscape architects Planit-IE following public consultation.
According to Manchester City Council, a central lawn and plaza will create a ‘green buffer’ to Great Ancoats Street, with various tiered gardens navigating the different level changes across the site, alongside play areas, paths, and tranquil areas to escape the noise of the city.
The park has also been designed to make sure that it’s fully accessible for all.
A new digital campus by @UKGovPropAgency bringing 7,000 quality jobs to Manchester has been approved.
The campus will transform a derelict former retail site alongside a new city centre park in Ancoats.
The site will accommodate new walking and cycling routes, helping to link to other city centre active travel investment in Ancoats, Northern Quarter, and out towards the Etihad Campus.
“The new park is a welcome addition to our city centre green spaces,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“It’s a reimagining of the former retail site that has for many years acted only as a barrier to the community behind – and an eyesore in one of the most exciting parts of our city.”
Georgina Pellant -
1st September 2021 
