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.
‘Prolific’ South Manchester burglar jailed for thefts which included peanuts…
Daisy Jackson
A ‘prolific’ burglar has been jailed for just over two years, for numerous thefts including sunglasses, airpods, and peanuts…
The man was caught red-handed inside someone’s property, where he claimed he was just wanting a glass of water – but was found by police officers to have the resident’s car keys in his pocket.
Fazal Alnesi, 26, from Moss Side, was then linked to a number of other burglaries, attempted burglaries, and thefts across South Manchester.
Fazal was sentenced to 27 months at Manchester Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to offences including six counts of burglary in June of this year.
He was arrested on 12 June, when a man returned to his home in Fallowfield in the early hours of the morning and discovered Fazal inside his address.
He claimed he was there because he wanted a glass of water but subsequently refused to leave, which led to police being called.
Officers placed Alnensi in handcuffs and found the resident’s car keys in his pocket, as well as indications that he’d been rummaging through the man’s drawers.
He was later linked to other thefts include a wrench set from a car, a pedal cycle worth £350, airpods, sunglasses – and even peanuts from one address.
He additionally took an electric bike charger from one address worth hundreds of pounds.
PC Jon Holden, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Alnensi took various items from several homes and cars across a two-week period earlier this year, making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods.
“Ultimately, Alnensi left people feeling unsafe in his own home, and I am glad he is now behind bars.
“Our team will investigate all burglaries, and I would encourage people to get in touch with us – all intelligence helps us lock up criminals and bring them to justice.”
The top 10 ‘happiest’ places to live in the North West in 2026 have been named
Emily Sergeant
The top 10 happiest places to live in the North West have been named for 2026.
It comes as Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index this week, just as it has done for the last 14 years now, exploring exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlighting the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year – with thousands of residents across more than 200 locations providing feedback.
The residents told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community, from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.
The survey also outlined the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
So, when it comes to the North West as a whole then, where do we have in the top 10?
Well, to kick things off, you may have already seen that one Lancashire market town has earned its place in the top 10 nationwide, not just for the North West region – and that’s Chorley.
Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley – which is is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.
But aside from the national top 10, when it comes to the regional top 10, the next two towns following Chorley in second and third are both in Greater Manchester.
The North West’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026
Chorley
Stockport
Altrincham
Chester
Macclesfield
Southport
Kendal
Wirral
Northwich
Carlisle
Altrincham has been named one of the North West’s happiest places to live / Credit: The Manc Group
The ever-thriving Stockport comes in at number two, followed by Trafford favourite Altrincham directly behind it at number three.
Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.
Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.
“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Wikimedia Commons)
Georgina Pellant -
1st September 2021 
