It’s never easy to hear about hospitality closures around our city – but the news that Hatch, the shipping container village that’s home to dozens of brilliant independents, would be closing hit harder than most.
This brilliant spot just off Oxford Road, literally beneath the Mancunian Way, has hosted countless traders since it opened in 2017.
There’s been dog fashion shows, Christmas discos, football screenings, supper clubs, gigs and loads more in the way of events hosted in its courtyard.
Dotted around the courtyards are shipping containers – some tiny spaces you can barely swing a cat in, others two-storey venue with their own roof terraces – which are all home to different businesses.
Among them you’ll find vintage fashion, beauty services, tapas bars, breweries, and even someone who’ll clean your trainers up.
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Every one of those traders has been given just 30 days notice to vacate their unit. By the end of September, they’ll be gone, ready for the site to be redeveloped by north east operator Stack.
Depending on who you speak to, they feel ‘gutted’, ‘sad’ and ‘screwed over’.
Such was the anger across Manchester that many of our knee-jerk reactions was to boycott the place altogether.
But the resounding message among those who remain desperately trading for another fortnight is this – don’t abandon them now.
The decision taken to close Hatch is not theirs, and as they all scramble to find a new home for their business, it’s more essential than ever that we put our money where our mouth is and give them every financial boost possible to the finish line.
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We popped down to Hatch one (very busy) lunch time to pick out just a few of the incredible businesses you can support.
It’s A Nail Thing
It’s A Nail Thing’s unit at Hatch, which has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc GroupGel nails created by It’s A Nail Thing. Credit: The Manc Group
Long-time friends of The Manc, It’s A Nail Thing is a bright, welcoming and judgement-free nail bar, where you can get some of the boldest and most beautiful gel nails in Manchester.
On learning the news of the closure, they wrote: “This place that we worked so hard for: I love it. The people who have made it what it is: we love you…
“PLEASE please come and support Hatch traders over the next month. We are small independent businesses being completely screwed over and we need you now more than ever.
“Eat, drink, get your nails done, your hair cut, your trainers fixed, your laptop sorted. The staff haven’t done this – support them, tip them. We will keep you informed on our next steps. We love you.
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Fuku
Fuku at Hatch said that Hatch’s closure is ‘difficult’. Credit: The Manc GroupFuku is one of the street food traders affected by Hatch’s closure. Credit: The Manc Group
If you love your street food with an Asian twist and a whole lot of personality, you probably already know about Fuku.
Salt and pepper chicken, katsu curry, Korean fried chicken, spring rolls, bao buns – it’s all good.
They wrote: “I’ve finally processed the loss of my first business, and it’s time to start a new adventure. I want to thank everyone who made the last 4 years a journey to cherish (customers, staff, management and the independent traders).
“Staying positive but it’s a difficult time for everyone involved, so please support the traders and staff at hatch. We close on 30th September.”
You’ll still be able to find them at Mala and Freight Island.
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Fuku added: “To clear up confusion, we were sent an email at 8pm Thursday night to attend a meeting at 11am on Friday. We were subsequently told about the closure of Hatch. The site is to close on 30th September. Stack (Danieli Group) are in partnership with Hatch/Bruntwood, and it’s set to reopen in late 2024. We have to vacate our stores and reapply for a unit (given priority). That is all the information I know so far.”
House of Habesha
House of Habesha at Hatch. Credit: The Manc Group
This is another street food operator that’s well worth travelling up Oxford Road for – authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian food, like home-cooked stews and curries served atop injera bread.
When we visited for a recent Takeaway Champions episode, we were absolutely blown away by the team and by the flavours they put together.
They said: “It’s just surreal for us… Just when we felt more at home at the amazing @hatchmcr and able to provide the service that we always wanted to give to our loyal customers. The unthinkable happens! We have until the end of September until we close. So we please urge you to support us and the rest of the traders here, and that we are looking for a permanent place here in the city please share this and we thank you.”
Sneaker Pharm
Sneaker Pharm, at the soon-to-close Hatch in ManchesterSneaker Pharm, at the soon-to-close Hatch in Manchester
Your favourite trainers seen better days, and looking a bit worse for wear after a lifetime of walking on Manchester’s wobbly paving slabs? Yeah, same.
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Sneaker Pharm is a business that will bring your favourite kicks back to life, from cleaning to mending.
They wrote about leaving Hatch: “I moved into Hatch four years ago with nothing but a dream, nerves and excitement. I’ve met my best friends and worked alongside some extremely talented hard working business owners, management and floor staff. It’s our first home.
“It’s with a heavy heart I have to announce that as of 30th September @hatchmcr will be no more. We have just been told the news and have less than 30 days to make a move. This will of course disrupt service so my sincerest apologies to everyone in the coming weeks but it’s beyond my control, me and all my friends at hatch are still processing the news. PLEASE SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENTS AT HATCH FOR THE REMAINDER.”
Crumbled
A pot of apple crumble from Crumbled before Hatch announced it’s closing. Credit: The Manc GroupA pot of apple crumble. Credit: The Manc Group
More comforting than putting on a fresh-out-the-tumble-dryer dressing gown and more Instagrammable than Molly-Mae with a new haircut, Crumbled is a dessert bar with a difference.
They specialise in one thing – crumbles – with different fruit fillings and toppings, like pretty pink piped marshmallow that’s torched and sprinkled with edible glitter.
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They hinted that they may now look for a permanent site, taking the closure of Hatch as a sign.
Pukht
Imagine street food and your favourite curry house made a baby, and then they rented a tiny shipping container and started selling food.
That’s what the vibe at Pukht is – cheese naan toasties, butter chicken burgers, tandoori nachos, and biryani burritos are all on the menu here.
They said on Instagram: “We had so so many plans to introduce new dishes this month, welcoming new students to #manchester and @hatchmcr but it’s not meant to be. We won’t let this sudden end to Hatch ruin your enjoyment of the food and vibes we provide with our fellow traders.
“Come and join us over the next [29 days] to enjoy Manchesters best food and drink served with the warmest welcome and the biggest smiles.”
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Suzy Loves Milo
Suzy Loves Milo has been part of the Hatch family for as long as we can remember, with vintage clothes and street wear galore.
There’s entire walls packed with colourful sunglasses, rails of vintage jackets, and loads more to browse.
Central Cee at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ tour
Thomas Melia
Alright. UK rap act Central Cee is bringing his usual charm and witty bars to Co-op Live for a night of rap caviar, fully catered for by the Shepherd’s Bush native.
Cee, a.k.a. ‘Cench’, has been gaining traction since dropping freestyles on social media before eventually releasing his breakout hit ‘Day in the Life’ back in 2020.
This gig will be packed with everything from a stellar setlist to a powerful stage presence from the London MC, you’ll be up on your feet from the first song right through to the encore.
Don’t fret because this guide will have you covered with everything from A to B to make sure your night is nothing less than ‘5 Star’.
Central Cee at Co-op Live gig guide
Credit: Press Shot (supplied)
Central Cee UK tour dates
Fri 18 April – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sat 19 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Thu 24 April – London, UK – The O2
Sun 27 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Arena
Are there tickets left for Central Cee at Co-op Live in Manchester?
Tickets for this show aren’t ‘Limitless’ but there are still a handful of tickets left for this highly anticipated UK arena tour, including Cench’s Co-op Live date.
Fans can pick from a range of seating and standing options starting at £42.50 and reaching £81.95, so you’re really getting lots of value for your ‘GBP’ – I’ll stop now, I promise…
Anyone looking at grabbing a ticket or two can take a pick from their limited selection HERE.
Central Cee setlist
Limitless
5 Star
Day in the Life
6 For 6
Cold Shoulder
Ruby
Commitment Issues
Loading
St. Patrick’s
Ten
Straight Back To It
Gbp
Obsessed With You
Did It First
Me & You
Mrs
gen z luv
Now We’re Strangers
LET GO
Doja
Truth in the Lies
Overseas
Must Be
CRG
UK Rap
Sprinter
BAND4BAND
No Introduction
What are the stage times for Central Cee in Manchester?
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning concertgoers can get ‘Straight Back To It’ the following day without having to stay up all night to hear the rapper’s huge tunes.
Doors for the event will be open from 6.30pm, with those famous drill beats filling the massive Co-op Live venue from 8pm onwards.
There are currently no confirmed support acts as of yet, but with Cench appearing in the hometown of Manc rapper Aitch, who knows, maybe the pair will work it out on the remix and squash their squabble once and for all?
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, luckily, it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the southwest corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
K-pop boyband ENHYPEN announce HUGE gig in Manchester
Thomas Melia
K-pop boyband ENHYPEN are heading out on a world tour and they’re making a stop in the music capital of the North, Manchester.
This Korean seven-piece act are bringing their statement songs and fashion wear to Manchester at the AO Arena this year and we’re convinced Manchester is ready to ‘Shout Out’.
It’s not just their name that’s bold either, as their songs pull in some seriously impressive numbers too, with more than 10 songs hitting 100 million streams, and nearly 100 over a million streams.
This pop group formed back in 2020 thanks to the survival competition show I-Land which saw 23 individuals training to become a member in a boyband and the result was the genius that is ENHYPEN.
Whether you’re after a performance of tracks like ‘Drunk-Dazed’ or ‘Polaroid Love’, one thing is guaranteed – a stellar night of entertainment.
Expect a show with huge audience support as these boys have achieved billions of streams in just over five years, meaning fans will definitely be singing their hearts out and ready to dance the night away.
These boys may be familiar to you as they’ve just performed at one of music’s biggest events of the year, Coachella, where they strutted their stuff in some seriously swanky cowboy attire.
Alongside making history thanks to their snazzy Southwest-inspired outfits, they also made history for Korean music becoming the fastest K-Pop boy group to play the US festival.
Now they’re trekking across the globe performing their hits from ‘Bite Me’ to ‘Sweet Venom’ and Manchester has received a very special date at Manchester’s equally special music venue AO Arena.
There’s only two chances to catch the boys in action if you’re from the UK with Manchester just managing to secure a date alongside the capital, London.
ENHYPEN are coming to AO Arena in Manchester on 25 August and tickets are on pre-sale from Wednesday 23 April at 10am and general onsale from Friday 23 April at 10am HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
16th September 2023 
