A trailblazing Northern Quarter coffee shop that ‘started a movement’ in Manchester city centre has revealed it is closing its doors for good.
After thirteen years of brewing up top-tier coffees in the heart of the city, North Tea Power will officially pull its shutters down for one last time after a final service on Sunday 18 June.
The news has left fans shattered as they come to terms with the loss of the beloved coffee shop credited with launching Manchester’s speciality coffee scene.
The team, which also operates the popular Mother Espresso coffee shop in Liverpool, confirmed rumours about its closure with a heartfelt post on social media on Monday 12 June.
Referring to how “things are constantly here in NQ”, bosses said that it had been a ‘pleasure’ to be a part of it all, but that ‘after some tough decisions and some careful considerations’ they had finally decided to call it a day.
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The post continued: “It seems that the right thing to do is to end our journey here.
“No time for frowns however, you still have a weeks worth of sun to come and enjoy a brew before we close our door for the final time this Sunday 18th June 2023.”
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The post, which has been liked nearly 400 times at the time of writing, has been flooded with comments from fans in shock that their OG Manchester coffee shop is departing.
Local art director Ste Wing wrote: “DEVO’d !! You guys started the coffee movement in my city and will forever be remembered for that. Megaaaaa Independent coffee , brews and all round good vibes!
“From being one for your first customers w/ @dannykelly , to one of the last this week…Thank you for the memories.”
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The owners of nearby coffee shop Idle Hands commented: “Ahhh man, sorry guys. Manchester losing the OG specialists xx”
User @lovewhereyougo added: “Oh noooooooooo…. This really makes me sad. NTP is THE OG coffee shop and part of the proper old school places of the NQ (Simple pretty much the first place I went when I moved here!)”
Whilst @anorthernlass wrote: “Ah Wayne hope you are going on to better/brighter things! NTP is one of the best cafes in Manc but youve done 13 years (wow) and things change/move on. All the best! (From Helen, old bud from Blackpool days)”
And @brewxtilxdeath said: “This is sad sad news! Like everyone has put an OG in Manchester. Without NTP there wouldn’t be a speciality coffee scene.”
Featured image – The Manc Eats
News
An iconic vintage train is set to pass through Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Calling all railway enthusiasts: another historic vintage locomotive is set to visit two Greater Manchester train stations this summer.
Whether you’re a passionate trainspotter or just a nearby resident curious to see what all the fuss is about, the cult favourite retro carriages will pass through the pair of Manc boroughs and surrounding areas early next month.
Despite an adjustment in the initial plans, locals will still be able to witness and board the train at multiple stops along the way in the Stockport (Reddish South station) and Rochdale areas.
So, if you consider yourself a bit of a ‘Francis Bourgeois’ figure, or a general public transport connoisseur, pay attention.
Designed by Sir Kenneth Granger and officially launched back in 1976, the fleet was named as such after the top speed of 125mph – simple as that.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the originally proposed route and stops have now been changed due to issues with Network Rail.
As a result of there currently being no standing approval to use the connection from Paignton to Bury on the East Lancs Railway line, they have been forced to change the start and terminus points.
Writing on the dedicated 125Group website, they say: “We are reviewing our options to start as close as possible to the advertised departure point, and it seems likely that Rochdale will become the start and finish point, with all other previous pick-ups retained.
“For those in the far south west, we are looking to see whether we can offer an Exeter to Paignton return – subject to availability of space. We will add this to the booking site shortly, although we may have to limit numbers sold until we are more certain of booking levels to Bristol and Exeter.”
Two 125s, including ‘The Mancunian Princess’, travelled through the SK region earlier this year.
They have reassured that the journey will still be going ahead and have simply advised those hoping to catch it to keep their eyes peeled on the website and their socials for the latest updates.
Kids’ tickets start from just a tenner, and standard passes for the full tour cost £99, with first-class the class option priced at £149 (there’s also a table for two supplement available for £50).
You can see the full map, find out more information, and grab your seats right HERE.
Bet the internet signal on this relic isn’t far off the current standard either, to be fair…
Temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre reportedly confirmed
Emily Sergeant
The temporary location for the new Number 10 North project has been announced.
You may remember that earlier last month, it was revealed that Andy Burnham had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, and now that he is, more details on this move to Manchester have been revealed.
Number 10 North is expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it’s officially up and running, Government ministers say.
According to BBC News reports, civil servants working for Government departments based in London have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move to the northern base in Manchester, which is said to be being overseen by cabinet minister and ally of Andy Burnham, Louise Haigh.
The temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre has reportedly been confirmed / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Haigh – who is the first secretary of state – has reportedly been asked, according to the BBC, to have been asked to lead a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC), which will give her control of key decision-making bodies across Government.
The OPMC will include No 10 and No 10 North, as well as other teams within the Cabinet Office.
It is understood, according to the same BBC reports, that the initial temporary location of No 10 North will be Heron House, just off Albert Square in central Manchester, which is the same building that currently houses offices for the intelligence service GCHQ, and where eyewitnesses have spotted police officers guarding in recent days.
🚨 NEW: No 10 North will temporarily be based at Heron House in central Manchester
Whitehall civil servants have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move pic.twitter.com/BVyUkNfxRr
The longer-term base for Number 10 North, however, is expected to be at the new Government ‘Digital Campus’, which is currently under construction in the Ancoats and is not due for completion until 2032.
Alongside Whitehall officials who are willing to move to Manchester, it is also likely there will be a significant movement of staff from Burnham’s former mayoral team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the BBC reports.
You can discover more about the plans for Number 10 North here.
Georgina Pellant -
13th June 2023 
