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Independent Manchester restaurant hit outs at 30 Valentine’s Day no-shows

This is so gutting for a small restaurant.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 16th February 2024

An independent restaurant in Manchester has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine’s Day reservations.

Suki Suki, a small pan-Asian spot on Deansgate (which happens to be one of The Manc’s favourite lunch spots) said that no-shows are ‘extremely unfair’ on staff.

The restaurant posted halfway through Valentine’s Day service that they had already had 30 people fail to turn up for their bookings.

In an open letter to customers, they said that ‘moments like this are extremely crippling’, stressing the impact it has on staff tips, business revenue, and even wastage.

Suki Suki also said that their staff had sacrificed their day to prep for what is historically one of the busiest nights of the year for the hospitality industry.

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They pleaded for people to be ‘respectful’ and to reach out to restaurants if they can no longer make their reserved table so that other people can take them.

Suki Suki’s full statement said: “Tonight’s been pretty disappointing with over 30 no-shows on Valentine’s Day and it’s not even the end of the evening.

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“It’s extremely unfair on all hospitality staff that have sacrificed their day to prep and provide a service for a supposed busy night ahead to be presented with empty tables.

Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine's Day reservations.
Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine’s Day reservations.
Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine's Day reservations.
Suki Suki, an independent restaurant in Manchester, has slammed customers who failed to show up for Valentine’s Day reservations.

“This leaves staff with the loss of tips that a lot depend on, as well creating a lot of food wastage for the restaurant trade.

“Moments like this are extremely crippling for small independent businesses.

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“Please be respectful and let your restaurant know you’re unable to come down with enough notice as it also allows others to replace those empty tables.

“Thanks”

It echoes a similar disgraceful incident from Christmas, when Khandoker in Didsbury hit out at customers who didn’t turn up on Christmas Day, of all days.

The problem has been so bad in recent years that back in 2020 a nationwide campaign – No More No Shows – was launched.

If you want to help Suki Suki get back on its feet after such a disappointing Valentine’s Day, you can book a table or order a takeaway here.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Co-op Live boss issues statement as troubled Manchester venue takes ‘a short pause’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The boss of Co-op Live has issued a statement after the venue was hit with further delays. Credit: The Manc Group

The top dog at Co-op Live has issued a statement addressing the immediate future of the venue, which last night announced more high-profile event changes.

The enormous new arena out by the Etihad Stadium confirmed that Take That – who were lined up to play a whopping SEVEN shows at Co-op Live – would be moving their five May gigs across to established venue the AO Arena.

It follows the postponement of Olivia Rodrigo (Friday and Saturday), Keane (Sunday) and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (called off on Wednesday with fans already queueing outside) – not to mention Peter Kay and The Black Keys.

The Co-op Live has now said it will be taking ‘a short pause’ from events while it works to make the state-of-the-art space safe and secure for fans and artists.

Details of all the rescheduled shows, new dates and venue changes are towards the end of this article.

An independent inspection of the arena ceiling will be taking place in the next fortnight.

Earlier this week, part of an air conditioning unit fell from the ductwork in the ceiling of the bowl during A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s soundcheck, thankfully before any fans had entered the building.

The venue has apologised again, saying ‘we are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders’.

Take That is one of the acts affected by Co-op Live's delayed opening
Take That is one of the acts affected by Co-op Live’s delayed opening
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig from Co-op Live to AO Arena after cancellation
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig from Co-op Live to AO Arena after cancellation

In a statement it also said that the ‘significant impact’ on fans would be addressed and recognised, at the request of naming rights partner The Co-op Group – details on what that will look like will follow.

Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO of Oak View Group (which owns and operates Co-op Live), has now also released a statement offering his ‘sincere apologies’.

He said: “As many of you will know, it’s not been the smooth start we had planned for, and I know that has caused a huge amount of disruption and frustration to thousands of people.

“On behalf of all of us at Oak View Group, I’d like to express my sincere apologies to all those that have been affected. We understand that there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us.

“This starts now and at the request of the naming rights partner, The Co-op Group, we will be addressing impact on affected ticket holders, details of which will be shared soon.

“I’d like to reiterate my sincerest apologies to everyone that has been affected by the delays around the opening of Co-op Live.

“The team here is working incredibly hard to get the building up and running, and we look forward to welcoming you to the arena from 14 May 2024.”

Co-op Live’s full statement reads: “Ticket holders and fans. Following the events that led to the cancelled A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie show on 1 May, we have decided to take a short pause to events at Co-op Live to fully ensure the safety and security of fans and artists visiting the venue.

“This time will allow for an independent inspection of all elements of the arena ceiling.

“We have worked with promoters to limit the impact on fans, keeping as many shows as possible in Manchester.”

As for the rest of Co-op Live’s opening gig programme (the next scheduled show is Elbow on 14 May), it continued: “At this time, we do not expect further impact on our opening season.

“We are aware our actions have frustrated and angered ticket holders.

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“We know you’ve incurred significant disruption, and are finding a way to help make it right.

“We are taking the pause to think about the best ways to do that.

“Our naming rights partner, the Co-op Group, has also expressed the importance of ensuring that the significant impact on ticketholders is recognised and addressed, with more detail to follow soon.”

New dates and venue changes for Co-op Live’s rescheduled gigs

  • Peter Kay – original dates 23 and 24 April. Rescheduled dates 29 and 30 April. NEW DATES 23 and 24 May.
  • The Black Keys – original date 27 April. New date 15 May 2024.
  • A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie – original date 1 May – new date 4 May and venue change to AO Arena.
  • Olivia Rodrigo – original dates 3 and 4 May – new dates to be announced.
  • Keane – original date 5 May – new dates to be announced.
  • Take That – original dates 7, 10, 11, 12 May – venue change to AO Arena.
  • Take That – original date 8 May – new date 9 May and venue change to AO Arena.

Take That’s June dates remain unaffected.

Ticket holders for each event will be contacted by their point of purchase, and refunds will be available if preferred.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Gavin and Stacey will return with a 2024 Christmas special for its final episode

Danny Jones Danny Jones Gavin and Stacey new Christmas special 2024 last ever episode

After some pretty big rumblings earlier this year, it’s finally been confirmed that Gavin and Stacey will be returning for a Christmas special this year and what will be its last-ever episode.

The beloved British comedy last aired back in 2019 with their previous Christmas special and fans of the show have been crying out for more ever since.

Well, it turns out they’ll be getting just one more go around the block as co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones revealed that they have now finished writing their third and final Xmas special which will tie a festive bow on the trio of series which started all the way back in 2007.

Sharing a picture of the script on social media, the pair wrote: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James”.

That’s an early present if we’ve ever seen one.

The news comes just a couple of months after co-writer and co-star Jones went out of her way to rubbish the rumours live on the radio, stating that the so-called sources who had claimed a deal had been struck between the BBC and Netflix had been sorely mistaken.

However, what was actually going on was a bit of a red herring as she carefully chose to talk down any notions of another series but didn’t categorically dismiss the potential Christmas special.

In fact, she actually went on to add: “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it, we would.”

And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Well played, Nessa.

Read more:

As for details surrounding the final chapter in the Gavin and Stacey story, we have very few details at this stage but fans of the iconic show will already be wondering how they might pick up from where certain threads left off.

With Corden and former co-star Matthew Horner having famously parted ways several years back too, it will be interesting to see whether those fences will be mended in time for the final-ever episode of the show that put them both on the map.

Production companies Baby Cow, Corden’s Fulwell 73 and Jones’ Tidy Productions are all behind the special and, given the momentous occasion, it will likely have a primetime slot on the TV guide when it finally rolls around this holiday season.

So get your remotes, baubles and bhunas at the ready because Gavin and Stacey is coming back for one last time and it’s sure to be a TV event that people all across the UK will remember for years to come.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — BBC/James Corden (via Instagram)

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