January has been a rather rubbish month with closures happening left, right and centre. Earlier this month we heard the likes of The Font, Atkinsons Cafe in Mackie Mayor, Oklahoma, Flourish and more were all closing their doors, however joining these Manchester businesses is award-winning pie shop, Ate Days A Week.
Following a decrease in footfall in Stockport town centre, the team moved and started serving up their tasty pies from the former Porky Pig venue on Cooper Street, with a menu packed full of delicious handmade pies. Opening in the Manchester city centre in spring 2022, Ate Days A Week brought with it the classic Wigan kebab which consists of a pie of your choice sandwiched in a barm and topped with minted mushy peas and gravy, as well as offering a range of savoury pies like steak and ale, chicken balti and Lancashire cheddar.
Announcing the news on social media on January 22, Ate Days A Week posted: “…I can’t even begin to put into words how difficult this decision was to come to and just how much it hurts to write this but effective immediately our Manchester City Centre venue is now closed. I’ve deliberated over this whole situation for a long time and in all honesty, it’s caused so many sleepless nights worrying, stressing and searching for ways this could be avoided but truth be told, there is no other way and it breaks my heart.
“Food and drink costs are rising rapidly, utilities are absolutely out of control and the landscape of our economy is so obscured it’s frightening. I saw an opportunity to grow, I took a risk, I took a shot and sometimes these things don’t work out and that’s life sadly. Would I change anything? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Right now, I’m saying no because this has made me feel like a massive failure but I know it’s not a fail. Do I regret my decision? Not one single bit.”
And of course, being a musical-themed restaurant, there were a few song lyrics worked into their post to ensure Ate Days A Week’s goodbye was fully on brand. The shop dedicated to pies opened with lyrics from Leonard Cohen’s Closing Time and closed with words from Taylor Hawkins’ favourite Foo Fighters track, Aurora.
Despite the pie shop closing, Ate Days A Week has said it’s “not all doom and gloom” as there have been no job losses as they have made roles for the full team at other venues within the group. Plus, the business announced that the refurbished cocktail bar Notion in Stockport will be reopening next weekend, and the pie makers will continue to maintain their relationships with other hospitality venues such as Blinker Bar, Stockport County and Lapwing Deli in Didsbury, as well as deliver their pies around Stockport and surrounding areas.
Ate Days A Week not only served top notch pies but also a damn good roast, as it recently featured in the top ten for the best Sunday roast in the UK, according to Rate Good Roasts.