A Scandi-inspired cafe bar that opened in the heart of Manchester’s office district in 2020 has it will be closing for good.
Spring Gardens cafe bar Lättsam, popular for its mugs of gravy soaked Swedish meatballs and huge range of beer, has revealed that it will be closing up shop for good.
Opened by the team the behind the award-winning Beatnikz Republic Brewing Co. and NQ Bar, the cafe and bar has occupied the former Brook Street Recruitment Office since 2020.
When owners first got their hands on the site, they thought they would have a steady stream of customers thanks to the offices upstairs.
Now, they say that the pandemic has put paid to that dream.
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mage: LattsamI
mage: LattsamI
Opening in the early days of the Covid pandemic, bosses first had to operate as a takeaway whilst waiting for the city to enter ‘Tier 2’ so it could offer a fuller menu in line with government restrictions.
It is this, combined with a change of working patterns, that owners pointed to as they announced the restaurant’s closure on social media over the weekend.
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Saying there was ‘no way of knowing what was just around the corner’, they pointed to ‘multiple re-openings over the years’ and the fact that ‘the working landscape had completely changed’ since early 2020.
The team wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart that we announce that tonight we have closed our doors for the last time.
“When we first opened early 2020 we were destined to be in the hub of Manchester’s office district, with no way of knowing what was just around the corner.
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Image: Lattsame
“With multiple re-openings over the years that followed, the working landscape had completely changed and we suffered many of the issues that other city centre hospitality venues have faced over the past 12 months in this post-Covid world.
“Thank you to our loyal customers who loved our chilled out vibes and couldn’t get enough of our gorgeous meatballs, we hope to bump into you in the future.
“Thank you & goodbye (Tack adjö), Team Lättsam”
PT1 It’s with a heavy heart that we announce that tonight we have closed our doors for the last time. When we first opened early 2020 we were destined to be in the hub of Manchester’s office district, with no way of knowing what was just around the corner. pic.twitter.com/gHVmwwnuqC
Replying to the post, one person said: “Ah gutted! Always loved popping in for a beer!”
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Another replied: “Oh No. Truly gutted great coffee, beer and food. All the best folks.”
A third said: “No way, Manchester is packed more than ever, offices are full and building more, Gordon Ramsay is coming, why is sit really closScaning? Every day everywhere is packed more than anywhere else in Europe.”
Feature image – Lattsam
City Centre
John Bishop announces latest Manchester gig arena tour dates
Danny Jones
Beloved British comedian John Bishop has announced another massive Manchester gig on his latest run of arena tour dates.
The well-known veteran of the North West and national stand-up scene at large is heading back to the region next year for his fresh batch of live stand-up shows.
Serving as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed hour from 2025, with these dates also serving as another opportunity for fans who missed out last time to see at least some of that material, John Bishop is no stranger to selling out Manchester arenas.
Returning to Co-op Live once again after his first two visits there this past autumn, Manc crowds can look forward to more of his usual scouse charm.
Confirming the new 2027 UK tour dates online this Friday, 23 January, Bishop said: “So excited to announce I’ll be heading back out on tour next year with my brand new show…. ‘Let’s Go Round Again'”
As he goes on to write, he’s set to play “some of the biggest venues across the UK and Ireland in April and May 2027”, simply adding, “Come and join me for a night to remember…”
The 59-year-old will be coming to Co-op Live on Sunday, 2 May.
His Co-op Live debut last October went down a storm, so it’s no surprise that we cousins down the Mersey were one of the first cities to be named on the new tour.
Bishop is enjoying a little bit of added renaissance at the moment, amid being at the centre of a Hollywood film starring Will Arnett and Bradley Cooper.
You can see the duo talking about the recent release down below.
Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett allowed themselves to be vulnerable when adapting John Bishop's life story 🎬 pic.twitter.com/B5DYBfDfJ8
The Everton-born comic was already 35 when he first started live stand-up, turning up at the Frog and Bucket comedy club on the edge of the Northern Quarter and choosing to go up on stage during an open mic night rather than paying the entry fee.
Already a successful salesman in the pharmaceutical industry, he chose to switch careers just before his 40th birthday and hasn’t looked back since.
It’s part of this real-life story that inspired the movie, Is Thing On? – which finally premieres here in the UK at the end of this month – and continues to make him a hugely popular touring UK comedian.
For anyone who fancies going along to see his new tour, you can sign up for early access through his mailing list or via the venue’s pre-sale for official Co-op Members.
Those windows open on Wednesday, 28 January from 10am; general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (30 Jan). You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
You can watch the trailer for the aforementioned motion picture here.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
The biggest LEGO event in the UK is returning to Manchester next month.
After proving to be such a massive sell-out success last year, Bricktastic – the ‘ultimate’ LEGO convention – will be returning to Manchester next month, just in time for half term, with even more incredible LEGO models, activities, and fun for all the family.
Already shaping up to be one of the most exciting LEGO events in the UK, with tickets already on sale and selling fast, fans can expect to see more than 300 exhibitors from around the world showcasing original LEGO creations, also known as MOCs (Models of Own Creation), all under one roof at Manchester Central.
Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, Friends, or Harry Potter, you’ll find your favourite LEGO themes and more at the event next month.
You’ll also be able to meet the talented model creators and uncover the stories behind their spectacular builds.
This LEGO convention isn’t just about admiring the models though, it’s about creating your own too, as at Bricktastic, you can build a section of our giant LEGO mosaic featuring more 100,000 bricks, dive into the brick pits filled with system or DUPLO® bricks for the little ones, and leave your own personal tag on the LEGO graffiti walls.
Basically, you can create anything you like and then leave your masterpiece on display for others to enjoy when they visit.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month / Credit: Shirlane Forrest
There’ll also be a wide variety of shopping opportunities at Bricktastic 2026, with something for every budget, no matter what you’re searching for.
And all proceeds from Bricktastic 2026 will help to fund LEGO deliveries to children in hospitals through the Fairy Bricks charity.
Bricktastic 2026 is taking place at Manchester Central on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, and tickets are on sale now.
Tickets will be required for all visitors. Your ticket will have a timed entry but not a timed exit, so you can stay as long as you like, and if you want to take a break for a coffee or lunch, then simply collect a wristband to return whenever you’re ready.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd August 2022 
