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
An unmissable Whitney Houston tribute event is returning to Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
A much-adored and cherished Whitney Houston tribute show is returning to Greater Manchester later this year for not one but two different shows, each channelling the charisma and energy of the pop legend.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the phenomenal theatre production, ‘Queen of the Night’, the show is visiting a multitude of stages and venues all across the UK.
0161 had to receive at least one date on this tour, partly due to being the music capital of the North and also due to the fact that this is a city many fans of the 80s diva will forever hold close to their hearts.
Houston played her final ever concert performance of her career here in this very city back in 2010, taking up residence in AO Arena for two nights of world-renowned ballads and mesmerising live vocals.
This tribute show is set to include some of the diva’s biggest and much-loved hits like ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘How Will I Know’ and ‘The Greatest Love of All’, the audience is sure to be singing along.
Adenike Adewale is taking on the role of the American R’n’B Pop singer and is no stranger to the stage or TV, featuring on The Voice in 2021 where she sang a Whitney classic, making it to the semi-finals.
Fast forward to 1 June and the tour returns to Greater Manchester and legendary city centre space, Bridgewater Hall: an incredible room more than fit for renditions of the powerhouse vocalist.
A pair of stunning venues, two stunning shows and one incomparable voice.
It’s not only our lovely region the Queen of the Night experience will be visiting; our friends over at The Hoot have plenty of nearby opportunities to sing along too, with Yorkshire dates in Hull, Halifax, Harrogate and Bradford to name a few.
I’m definitely saving all my love for when this show visits us later this year in March, and after I buy out the front row for all my friends I’ll certainly relate to the smash 1993 single ‘I Have Nothing’.
Tickets are on sale already now – you can grab yours HERE.
You can watch The Traitors finale on a big screen in Manchester next week
Emily Sergeant
The finale of The Traitors is hitting our TV screens next week, and there’s a big screening party happening in Manchester especially for it.
Fancy sitting down to watch one of the cultural events of the year on a big screen with dozens of others who are just as invested in the show as you are? Well, now you can.
The third series of hit BBC reality competition show, The Traitors, has undeniably captured the attentions of the nation yet again since it first aired on New Year’s Day, and viewers have been tuning in in their millions to watch the three episodes each week ever since, as well as taking to social media to share their thoughts and weigh in on every little twist and turn.
But if you’re keen to watch the finale surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of fans, then one of Manchester’s newest social venues is giving you the chance to do just that.
Back by popular demand after last year’s event at the neighbouring GRUB, Fairfield Social Club, just outside the city centre, is hosting its very-own The Traitors Finale Screening Party next Friday.
It’s hosted by viral internet sensations – and The Traitors fans – Sam O’Leary and Tom Lawrinson.
Kicking off from 7pm, this themed event will feature sketches, prizes, and loads of Traitors-inspired fun, all before watching the final on a big screen so you can see the drama unfold right as it happens.
You can watch The Traitors finale on a big screen in Manchester next week / Credit: BBC | Supplied
If all of that wasn’t brilliant enough as it is, there’ll be even free drinks on offer for anyone who comes dressed in a cloak, or with a solid Claudia Winkleman-esque fringe.
Fancy dress is optional, but who can say no to a free drink?
The Traitors Finale Screening Party is happening down at Fairfield Social Club next Friday 24 January from 7pm, and tickets are now on sale for £15.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd August 2022 
