News

Robbery forces new Chorlton patisserie Le Petit Paris to close just six days after opening

It's not the first time Le Petit Paris has been hit by setbacks, either

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 28th December 2021

A new Chorlton patisserie has been forced to close its doors just six days after opening to the public, following a burglary that took place in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Le Petit Paris had just opened its doors in Chorlton next door to Tea Hive and had already made a great impression on residents – but now its owner has since been forced to close again after an early morning robbery took place at the shop on Monday 27 December.

The cafe, which serves a range of coffee and delicate, halal French patisseries including pain au chocolat, tarte aux fraises, forêt noire, red fruit pavlova and brioche feuilleté, only opened to the public on 21 December following months of interested inquiries on its Instagram page.

Image: Le Petit Paris

But now, its owner has been forced to close up shop again after thieves broke into the shop and stole a number of items – taking advantage of the quiet streets caused by Christmas holidays and the extended Bank Holiday.

Sharing the news to the cafe’s Instagram page, the cafe wrote: “Someone breaking at the shop this morning… We got Rob few thing.. I will not open for few day or 1 week,,, Sorry for that.”

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It’s not the first time Le Petit Paris has been forced to close through no fault of its own, either.

Image: Le Petit Paris

Earlier this year, in February, the cafe shared that the opening would have to be pushed back after someone had set fire to the shop.

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At the time, owner Johanna said “It’s heartbreaking to me because it was a dream for me to open a shop and also because we were very close to the opening.

“I was very excited to meet everyone and started a new adventure but it’s not gonna happen for the moment. I would like to say thank you to everyone for your support and your trust.”

Image: Le Petit Paris
Image: Le Petit Paris

Chorltonites have already rallied around the cafe, with one sharing the news to a local Facebook group in a bid to encourage other residents to help support Le Petit Paris when it reopens its doors next week.

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Writing to fellow residents, Amal Kathrada said: “Went last Thursday and the food was Amazing and the service was Superb. Unforunately, they got broken into last night so will have to close for a few days. Please try and support local businesses.”

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Locals were quick to comment their support, with one saying “Been waiting for this to open will be a frequent visitor I hope.”

Another added, “I’ll definitely stop by” whilst a third said, “Looks like there’s a master patisserie chef somewhere on the premises…”

To keep up with Le Petit Paris’ news and for the cafe’s new opening times, make sure to follow them on Instagram for further updates.

Feature image – Le Petit Paris / Official Pay Box

News

‘Please help’ – plea to save one of Manchester’s oldest theatres as beautiful building falls into disrepair

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A fresh appeal and Crowdfunder has been launched to try and save one of Manchester’s oldest and most beautiful theatre buildings.

The Hulme Playhouse Theatre and the Nia Centre are at risk of closing down once again as both the list of repairs and the cost of living rise.

The venue, used now as a community hub and events space operated by NIAMOS, is in ‘desperate need of repair’ and they need to raise £50,000 for the urgent work.

Without it, it’s feared that the ‘cold and leaking’ building could be lost forever and ‘another cultural institution could be turned into flats’.

At present, the historic Grade II-listed building doesn’t have a heating system, and winter has brought new pressures.

NIAMOS, a group of local residents and community volunteers, say they want to ‘honour the important legacy of this renowned venue’.

NIAMOS have launched a Crowdfunder for the Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre. Credit: NIAMOS

The beautiful building in Hulme was first opened in 1902 and is one of only two remaining W. H. Broadhead theatres.

At one time, Broadhead owned an empire of theatres, and designed the space to resemble a factory from the outside, hoping to help working class audiences in Manchester feel at home.

In 1956, the BBC took over and turned it into BBC Soundstage North, where The Beatles’ first-ever live radio performance was broadcast from.

Then the legendary Nina Simone opened it theas The Nia Centre in 1991, becoming the first African and Caribbean-led theatre in Europe.

The space is used for community events. Credit: NIAMOS

The cultural significance of this building really can’t be overstated, and the NIAMOS team are desperate to save it.

They said in their Crowdfunder: “Our mission is to preserve the heritage of the Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre, by keeping the building and the Arts it facilitates accessible to all communities, all ages and capabilities.”

NIAMOS’ message continued: “We need help to be able to keep all the incredible projects that happen in the building going and make sure the space stays open as a hub for the Hulme community and beyond! We need to honour the important legacy of this renowned venue, still independent in the heart of Manchester, and not let another cultural institution be turned into flats.

“We want to make sure the building stays open as much as possible over winter and improve the equipment that local and young artists have access to through us, including music production, sound and lighting engineering, arts workshops, film and media production and acting classes.

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“The building is in desperate need of repair and a heating system which we currently do not have at all! Alongside all of this, the running costs of the building and the rising cost of living mean we are under pressure this winter.

“We rely on volunteer support to run and host events for our community and our voluntary members have worked extremely hard to keep the building afloat, but our members cannot give as much of their time as we need and with the challenge of a cold and leaking building we are in need of help to save this space from closing down!!

“When the current directorship took over the running of the building they also took on significant debts, this has meant we have been two steps forward and one step back. Despite all the hard work of the people who have been running the space voluntarily we need help over the quieter winter months.

Credit: NIAMOS

“We need to stay open long enough to apply for further funding bids, including long term support from the Heritage Lottery fund, as we are a grade II listed building. We have an amazing programme of events and projects we want to put on this year that will build on sustaining us financially and provide opportunities for community artists and creatives.

“Keeping this building open and functional is of great importance for Hulme and the surrounding areas communities; we need your help! Developing heating solutions and doing necessary repairs in the building will enable us to stay open during the colder months and help us with our aim of making the building more conscious and sustainable.

“Please help!”

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You can read more and donate to NIAMOS’s Crowdfunder for Nia Centre and Playhouse Theatre here.

Featured image: NIAMOS

News

Tim Martin is blaming ‘people drinking at home’ for UK Wetherspoons closures

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

It’s no secret that times are hard for hospitality right now, with pubs and restaurants shutting left, right and centre – but when UK pub giant Wetherspoons starts closing its doors you have to wonder if anyone can survive in this climate.

In September last year, the budget pub chain began listing sites for sale with 32 boozers going up as part of what it described as a “commercial decision”.

Now, it has listed even more – and arch-Brexiteer Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin is apparently blaming people ‘drinking at home’ for the closures.

After the chain suffered a £30 million pound loss, CEO Tim Martin told PA news agency that people ‘have got into the habit of staying in’ ever since Covid and that that was why sales were down on 2019.

The Waterhouse

Read more: Government refuses to deny reports HS2 may not run from Manchester to central London

He also blamed lockdown restrictions brought in to stop the spread of Covid during the heigh of the pandemic for the pub’s losses,

He said: “The aftermath of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions have been far more difficult than anyone thought.

“That is the picture for the whole pub and restaurant industry. People thought that after lockdown there would be a boom in people suffering from cabin fever but, instead, it has almost become the opposite situation as people have got into the habit of staying in.

Read more: This hidden Manchester pasta and dumplings restaurant has just made the Michelin Guide

“That’s the big thing that means sales are down on 2019. Things are improving now but it’s slow.”

The pub sales are being handled by CBRE and Savills. Toby Hall, senior director at CBRE, said: “The excellent mix of locations in this portfolio is rarely seen in the market.

“With more than half the portfolio located in London and the South East and other strong locations in the South West, Midlands and North we believe the pubs represent an excellent opportunity for existing pub operators and new entrants.”

Which JD Wetherspoon pubs are set for closure?

Pubs which have been sold:

  • Harvest Moon, Orpington
  • Alexander Bain, Wick
  • Chapel an Gansblydhen, Bodmin
  • Moon on the Square, Basildon
  • Coal Orchard, Taunton
  • Running Horse, Airside Doncaster Airport
  • Wild Rose, Bootle
  • Edmund Halley, Lee Green
  • The Willow Grove, Southport
  • Postal Order, Worcester
  • North and South Wales Bank, Wrexham

Pubs still up for sale:

  • The Butlers Bell, Stafford
  • Worlds Inn, Romford
  • Silkstone Inn, Barnsley
  • Wrong ‘Un, Bexleyheath
  • The Percy Shaw, Halifax
  • Jolly Sailor, Hanham
  • The Alfred Herring, Palmers Green
  • The Moon & Bell, Loughborough
  • The Widow Frost, Mansfield
  • Resolution, Middlesbrough
  • Foxley Hatch, Purley
  • The Rising Sun, Redditch
  • Sennockian, Sevenoaks
  • Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis, Southampton
  • The Colombia Press, Watford
  • The Malthouse, Willenhall
  • The John Masefield, New Ferry
  • The Crosse Keys, Peebles
  • Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham
  • The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh
  • General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton
  • Plough & Harrow, Hammersmith
  • Thomas Leaper, Derby
  • Cliftonville, Hove
  • Tollgate, Turnpike Lane
  • Asparagus, Battersea
  • Millers Well, East Ham
  • Hudson Bay, Forest Gate
  • Angel, Islington
  • The Billiard Hall, West Bromwich
  • Capitol, Forest Hill
  • The Bankers Draft, Eltham
  • Moon on the Hill, Harrow
  • The Bank House, Cheltenham
  • Last Post, Loughton

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