Manchester’s first ever Scottish-Indian restaurant has closed the doors at its Chorlton home, owners have announced.
A fixture in the South Manchester suburb for the past two and a half years, Roti has made quite a name for itself with out-there fusion dishes like Indian-spiced Scotch eggs, haggis pakoras, cheese and onion bhajis, mince and tatties, and curried aloo and chickpea-filled roti ‘chip butty’.
But despite its popularity, bosses revealed today that they have made the decision not to extend their lease in Chorlton and ‘will not be reopening’ their doors.
Breaking the news in a post shared on Roti’s Instagram, the team thanked everyone that had visited and supported their business over the past few years.
An Indian twist on fish and chips. Fresh Panga fried in Roti gram flour batter with fluffy masala potatoes + curried chickpeas ‘mushy peas’. / Image: Roti
Deep-fried Mars Bar in Chana spiced batter with ice cream. / Image: Roti
Adding that Chorlton is a ‘special place’, they hinted that they could be back in the future: writing they will be focusing on their Sale restaurant for now and hope to open a new site ‘when the time is right.’
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Roti opened its second site in Sale’s Stanley Square last summer whilst many eateries were battening down the hatches, so to speak.
Inspired to expand after building up a loyal following of takeaway customers in Chorlton during lockdown, the restaurant – described as ‘not your average Indian joint’ – moved into the newly refurbished Sale shopping precinct in 2021.
Joining hospitality heavy hitters like Rudy’s, Greens, Sugo Pasta Kitchen, alongside fellow Chorlton favourite The Oystercatcher, it arrived in the new foodie neighbourhood with a bang last year to rave reviews.
But now it seems that, like many other small businesses, it’s having to make tough calls to ensure its long-term future.
The full post announcing the Chorlton restaurant’s closure read: “See you again Chorlton… Our time in Chorlton has come to an end for now. We’d like to thank each and everyone one of you who visited and supported us over the past 2.5 years, especially during the harder times.
“We have decided not to extend our lease in Chorlton, focus on Sale during this tough time and look to open a new site when the time is right.
“And who knows… We may return! Take care Chorlton.”
Throughout January, owners will be running a number of dining deals at the Sale site including ‘Tiffins for a tenner’ and a ‘dine and drink for fifteen’ offer. To find out more and book a table in Sale, visit the Roti website here.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Georgina Pellant -
10th January 2023 
