Less than two months after Boujee closed its site in Liverpool, signs have appeared outside the Manchester site showing that it has also suffered the same fate.
A handwritten note simply reading “closed, so sorry” has been taped to the all-pink restaurant and bar’s front door, whilst a second on the restaurant’s terrace, which had been taken over by pop-up venue Carnival, read: ‘we are extremely sorry but due to unforeseen circumstances we are left with no other options to close the venue.”
Image: Boujee
On the Boujee website, all traces of the Manchester venue have now been removed with just the Chester site now available to book online.
The news should not come as a surprise, given that the restaurant has appeared to be struggling for several months now.
Earlier this summer, staff walked out of the Liverpool site complaining of unpaid wages and tips. At the time, workers said that they had received just 40% of their expected wages on recent paydays and claimed that management had withheld their table service charges for months.
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The pay dispute was reported in the Liverpool Echo, after staff told the paper some colleagues had walked out of shifts over the situation and that others were struggling to meet their rent and mortgage payments.
A company message was shared with Boujee’s staff at the end of June in an attempt to explain to workers why they had not received their full pay.
It said: “It is with huge regret and disappointment that we are not able to pay the wages in their entirety today. We have exhausted every avenue and it is at the point where we require the revenue from this weekend and next in order to catch up and make the payments in full.
“Today we will be making a payment to all employees of 40 per cent of their total wage. On Monday we will make a second payment and this will be 30 per cent of their total wage plus 50 per cent of the service charge for the month.
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“The following Monday we will pay the remaining 30 per cent and the remaining 50 per cent of the service charge.
“We are extremely sorry that it has come to this and I assure you we are doing all we can to get back on track and our team are vital in this path to recovery. We fully appreciate this is not acceptable and we thank you for your hard work, support and loyalty through what has been a very challenging time.”
Now, it appears that the business has had another setback as it has moved to close its Manchester site too.
Image: The Manc Group
The news follows an announcement from the former director and Real Housewive Of Cheshire star Lystra Adams who revealed last month that she had walked away from the business.
In a post on Instagram, Lystra wrote: “I’m walking away … As of yesterday 23/09/2022 I walked away from what I’ve know and loved for past near two years. As many of you may know I have given considerable time and dedication in building the brand and platform for myself.
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“Over the past eight months things had taken a bumpy turn. I had confidence in that the board of directors would turn it around. Unfortunately mistakes were made along the way […] and it made the comeback near impossible.”
She continued: “As a 20-per-cent shareholder and the face of the business I want you to know that I did what I could with what I had. […] I’ve made my voice heard more than before as I dreaded this day would come. I’ve taken abuse in all forms for being the face of the companies involved as well as my daughter and enough is enough.
“Sorry it’s taken so long to speak out and I want to thank each and everyone that has visited or worked for Boujee and carnival from opening until now. All my love, Lystra.”
Feature image – The Manc Group
News
We’ve teamed up with a new creative hub to offer an exciting opportunity to a rising Manchester star
Danny Jones
Truth be told, there are creative opportunities to be found all across Greater Manchester, but you won’t find many quite like this…
Content creation is an ever-growing industry and the demand for roles in this ever-evolving space is higher than ever; the problem is, lots of people are unsure of how exactly to get started.
That’s why anyone interested in the sector should be very excited about the latest development over in MediaCity – we certainly are, and that’s why we’ve teamed up with them for something special.
First of all, let’s do introductions: welcome to the ‘Content Studio’.
Designed to cater to the growing climate of cutting-edge content creation and offer a professional workspace at an accessible rate, the Content Studio provides a range of versatile creative spaces including light, dark and podcast studios, perfect for video production, castings, photoshoots and more.
Curated by University of Salford alumni, Ashley Salmon, the studio has been built to meet the needs of modern content creators, influencers, social media stars, brands and businesses of all kinds.
Promising to offer both a dynamic and inspiring space where people can produce high-quality and innovative content while fostering a supportive creative community, this place aims to live up to Greater Manchester’s media reputation: industry-leading.
The Content Studio will also be made accessible to students spending time over in MediaCity and beyond, with a good chunk of the core production team comprised of recent graduates from Salford, giving them a valuable platform to showcase their skills and kickstart their careers.
As the previous video detailed, we’re working with MediaCity to identify their next ‘Creator in Residence’, an exclusive opportunity being made available to just one inventive individual this year.
Put simply, we’re looking for Greater Manchester’s next rising star, an entrepreneur or someone who is looking to start out in the creative space. So what does one lucky winner get with the prize?
Well, all of this:
Three-month Content Studio residency worth over £1,000 at MediaCity
Free use of content creation space, subject to availability
£200 budget to decorate the space/purchase props
Equipment hire and tech support – cameras, lighting, audio, director and camera operator for a day (£2k value from Badger and Combes)
Access to three hours of mentorship with creative director Steve Moyler (1x a month or 1x 3h slot)
£150 Black card to spend with local independent food residents
Access to a social media crash course with The Manc
If this sounds like an opportunity you or someone you know might be interested in, you can fill out the form HERE to be in with a chance to access one of the most incredible creative opportunities anywhere in Greater Manchester.
Terms and conditions
By entering this competition, you agree to the terms set by MediaCity:
As the ‘Creator in Residence’ you will commit to at least 2.5 days in residence in the MediaCity Content Studio
As the winner you will agree to be profiled on MediaCity/The Manc platforms
Any social content produced in the Content Studio will tag #mediacitycontentstudio and #madeinmediacity
Must add @MediaCityUK as a collaborator on all content being published on socials
No cash equivalent will be given for the prize.
The deadline for application is Wednesday, 12 March, so don’t miss out. Good luck!
Featured Images — Sophia J Carey (supplied)/The Manc Group
News
LF System, DJ Paulette and Turno announced as headliners for ‘The Drop’ music series
Thomas Melia
A returning music series is taking place in Manchester again and it’s bringing together even more great DJs for some fantastic live sets.
Titled ‘The Drop’, this music celebration is the mastermind of Skiddle and Headstock, who have collaborated to raise funds to support the music industry and mental health awareness.
Both the leading organisations put music at the forefront of what they do with Skiddle as a UK-based online ticket platform and Headstock, a hugely important music and mental health social enterprise.
‘The Drop’ is a monthly event series created to raise funds for several charities that exist to support the mental health of people working in the music industry.
Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
This all-new event has support from The Warehouse Project, one of the leading nightlife and music entertainment spots not just in Manchester but the UK, bringing in acts from all over the world.
There are lots of music-tailored companies getting involved too including our very own music counterpart, Audio North.
Currently, there are three big headliners that have just been announced and these acts are certainly music champions in the dance music scene, featuring LF System, DJ Paulette and Turno.
LF System has reached incredible heights thanks to their unforgettable tune ‘Afraid To Feel’, which has now racked up nearly 500 million Spotify streams globally since its release in 2022.
Manchester music legend and Haçienda queen, DJ Paulette has also seen huge success with her mind-blowing mixes and soundtracking various music events.
The final headliner to be announced so far is Turno, who has played out to crowds of 10,000 at WHP and is respected for his eclectic drum and bass beats.
DJ Paulette is always lifting our energy no matter where she goes.Turno is about to bring some drum and bass bangers.LF System are ready to show off some well-crafted mixes.Credit: Publicity Pictures (Supplied)
‘The Drop’ kickstarts on 27 March for the Spring season with international DJ and producer Turno from 6:30-11pm, with sets happening every month following, tickets are already available.
Read more:
Moovin Festival announces 2025 lineup for much-loved Stockport event
You Are Not Alone Festival deliver gutting delay news
Three iconic Manchester bands nominated to join the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Following on from this is the sensational LF System are taking over with a coffee table set joined by some special yet-to-be-announced guests on 24 April – tickets HERE.
Finally, DJ Paulette will be bringing those massive rave bangers and combining it with her usual charismatic energy on 15 May – grab your tickets now.
Georgina Pellant -
6th October 2022 
