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.”
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Millions of UK workers to get pay rises from today as National Living and Minimum Wage increases
Emily Sergeant
Millions of workers across the UK are set to begin receiving substantial pay rises from today.
After the Government announced back in November that it would take the recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission, and increase both the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage, those changes have now come into force in a bid to ensure people on lower incomes are ‘properly rewarded’ for their work.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Low Pay Commission, it’s an independent body made up of employers, trade unions, and experts whose role is to advise the Government on the minimum wage.
As mentioned, the rate recommendations introduced today were agreed unanimously by the Commission.
This means that the living wage, for eligible workers who are aged 21 and over, has now risen by 4.1% from today to £12.71 an hour.
For a full-time worker, that means a pay increase of £900 a year.
Millions of workers in the UK are getting pay rises from today / Credit: John Kakuk (via Unsplash) | Pexels
The National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18 to 20-year-olds has also increased today by 8.5% to £10.85 an hour, and then for 16 to 17-year-olds, and those on apprenticeships, the rate has increased by 6% to £8 an hour.
“The recommendations we made last autumn sought to balance the need to protect the economy and labour market, whilst providing a real-terms increase for the lowest-paid members of society,” commented Baroness Philippa Stroud, who is Chair of the Low Pay Commission.
“A lot has changed since we gave our advice to the Government last autumn, and we are now beginning to gather evidence for recommendations later this year.
“The current economic uncertainty makes it essential that the Commission hears from those affected by the minimum wage and builds consensus for evidence-based recommendations.
Workers aged 21 and over are now legally entitled to the National Living Wage after the age threshold for the highest rate was lowered from 23 in 2024.
National Minimum Wage rates are available to workers aged 16 upwards.
Georgina Pellant -
28th December 2021 
