Another business has fallen victim to COVID-19 economic struggles this week as the beloved Cat Cafe Manchester announces it is to close its doors for good.
Cat Cafe Manchester was “on a mission to make people feel better” after occupying premises in the heart of the Northern Quarter for the past four and a half years, but it sadly announced its permanent closure in a post to devastated customers and fans on social media this afternoon.
The High Street business said: “We are truly heartbroken to announce this news, however due to COVID-19 Cat Cafe Manchester will be closing its doors.
“Our lease at 103 High Street is coming to an end and unfortunately we haven’t been able to agree new terms with our landlord.
“It has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, [though] as it stands we simply cannot afford to continue in our current unit [but] we hope to relaunch in a new premises once the pandemic is over, so please continue to bear with us through this very difficult time.
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“We will be spending the next few weeks finding loving permanent homes for our 10 resident cats.”
The statement closed out reading: “We would like to thank every single customer who has visited us over the last 4 and a half years [as] without you, we wouldn’t be here and we are forever grateful for your custom.
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“We know that Cat Cafe Manchester has a special place in the hearts of many, and we hope this farewell is for now, and not forever.”
Cat Cafe Manchester – part of the Cat Cafe chain – first opened its doors in the heart of the Northern Quarter back in August 2016, and has since gone on to become “a safe space in an increasingly busy and digital world”, as research has shown that “hearing a cat purr can lower your blood pressure and stroking a cat can slow your heart rate, so by stopping, resting, and watching, it is Cat Café’s aim to enable people to become more mindful and present in their day-to-day lives”.
The business’ mission statement was to “give you a new perspective” and “encourage the people of Britain’s greatest cities to be more cat”.
You can find more information about Cat Cafe Manchester via its website.
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Home Bargains has announced a special two-day closure of all UK stores
Emily Sergeant
Home Bargains has, once again, announced it’ll be closing all its UK stores on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Day this year.
And it’s to make sure staff get a ‘well deserved break’.
After what has been yet another busy year for the retail industry, many workers have been left feeling like they could do with a little extra time off, which is why Home Bargains is following on with what has become a now-annual tradition by shutting up shop on two bank holidays.
All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day & New Years Day.
Announcing the move in a post on social media, the discount retailer confirmed: “All of our stores will be closing for Boxing Day and New Years Day. We would like to thank all our colleagues for how hard you have worked this past year, and want you to relax and enjoy the Christmas break with your loved ones.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time the retailer has kept its doors shut on bank holidays.
Many shoppers will recall it has made the same decision to give hardworking staff a break every year since 2019.
Explaining a little more about the decision taken to close all its stores, Home Bargains said: “As a family-run business, we know the importance of being together at Christmas with those we care about most, now more than ever.
“This is our way of saying thank you to our colleagues for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Featured Image – Geograph
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Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week
Emily Sergeant
Who says breakfast has to end at 11am?
In news that’s set to be music to the ears of breakfast lovers in Manchester, Greggs is giving them exactly what they want.
We all know that brunch is a ‘thing’ by now, so now it’s time for brinner to make a name for itself instead, as Greggs has teamed up with Heinz to bring its much-loved breakfast menu back for tea time, kicking off from 4pm onwards.
The move comes as a new survey has found that the majority of Mancs (69%) admit to enjoying eating breakfast food in the evening, saying it’s ‘convenient and comforting’ – even ranking breakfast as a ‘more important’ meal than tea, as well (38% vs 36%).
Two Greggs in Manchester will be serving their breakfast menu in the evening next week / Credit: Greggs (Supplied)
Greggs says it has ‘lost count’ of the amount of customers that have tried to order breakfast items after the usual cut-off time, especially in Greater Manchester.
But luckily for those breakfast-loving Mancs, they can finally get their favourite breakfast and sauce pairing long after the morning rush is over next… but only at two Greggs branches, and only for a very limited time.
On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 October, the Heinz x Greggs Brinner collab will be available at Greggs St Mary’s Gate and Greggs Oxford Road, from 4-7pm only.
“We’ve lost count of the number of customers who have tried their luck ordering breakfast after 11am, so when Heinz came to us with the idea of making Brinner a reality, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the people what they want,” explained Zoe Harris, who is the Customer Director at Greggs.
“And let’s be honest, a Greggs Bacon Roll just wouldn’t be the same without a squeeze of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.”
The Manc -
11th January 2021 
