Manchester's food scene is experiencing significant changes, from celebrated takeaways to restaurant closures, impacting workers and owners alike. Recently named Takeaway of the Year at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards, Fat Pat's sandwich shop celebrated its victory with great enthusiasm. Known for its mouth-watering 12-inch subs, this beloved joint should have been basking in its recent recognition, but instead, it finds itself temporarily closed.
Located on Portland Street near Chinatown, Fat Pat's has been hanging up its 'CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE' sign, stirring speculation among loyal customers eager for their lunchtime fixes. Social media followers have inundated the shop's Instagram page with questions and concerns: "Why are you guys closed?" and "When does it reopen again?" The uncertainty is palpable.
One of the owners addressed the situation, stating, "We're currently temporarily closed and figuring things out internally. We'll have abetter idea within a week about reopening." While they work through logistical matters, fans await updates on when they can sink their teeth back sewering the shop's recommended Philly Cheesesteak or Hot Honey Fried Chicken sub.
Meanwhile, another cloud looms over Manchester's vibrant dining scene as Almost Famous, popular for its massive burgers, unexpectedly closed all of its locations on the same day as the awards announcement. This shocking move leaves up to 140 employees scrambling after they allegedly learned of the closure through social media, missing the initial WhatsApp announcement from their bosses.
Workers quickly unionized with Unite Union to address the immediate fallout, demanding compensation for unpaid wages and adjustments to their sudden redundancy. One anonymous employee remarked, "Everyone is outragedthat we've been shafted. We've all worked a mega busy month with it being 50 percent off." A troubling situation, considering payday coincided with the closures, thrusting many workers, who traditionally expect their wages on the last day of the month, deep to confusion and anxiety.
Each of the abruptly terminated workers now grapples with financial uncertainty. The same anonymous staffer expressed their anxiety, saying, “Some people went on the dole as soon as possible, and are already speaking to Citizens' Advice about hardship payments.” With feelings of insecurity surging, many have sought immediate assistance from friends or spent their savings to cover the basic necessities of life.
The legal dimension of this saga grows increasingly complex. Unite Union asserted serious grievances against the owners, demanding nearly £207,000 owed to workers. "The way in which the workers of Almost Famous Burgers have been treated is morally reprehensible and almost certainly illegal," stated Bryan Simpson, lead organizer for Unite. He demanded the owners uphold their legal obligations, which include consulting with employees on layoffs, which did not occur.
Given these dire circumstances, the union stated they would take every necessary step to secure justice for the affected employees. They are committed to raising awareness around the larger Manchester community about the plight of their workers.
On the brighter side of the local dining scene, Taphael Montrose, creator of Monty's Kitchen, recently announced plans to expand his enterprise by taking over the kitchen of Tates Bar, located on Palatine Road. For Montrose, a former banker turned culinary entrepreneur, this marks an exciting new chapter for his community-focused culinary concept.
Since opening Monty's Kitchen out of his home kitchen last year, he has garnered attention for his delightful fusion of Caribbean and traditional English cuisine. Customers can expect delicious additions like bottomless brunches, Caribbean-themed Sunday roasts, and other innovative menu items once their kitchen is operational at Tates Bar starting February 14, 2025.
Montrose expressed his enthusiasm for his new venture, saying, “I’m really excited about it, it'll kind of get the name out there,” emphasizing his passion for customer service as he seeks to create not just meals, but experiences for his diners.
Overall, these three stories encapsulate the duality of Manchester's food and drink industry—a mix of challenges and celebratory expansions. From uncertainty and fallout at Almost Famous to the resilient hope showcased through Monty's Kitchen and the accolades bestowed upon Fat Pat's, the local culinary scene thrives on both the highs and lows of the industry.
With all of this action, it's clear: Manchester's food and drink scene continues to be anything but boring, filled with highs and lows as new ventures sprout amid closures and struggles.