Manchester street food market Grub has said it’s ‘absolutely gutted’ after the cancellation of a month of planned food and culture events due to happen next month. ‘Grub & Friends’ was set to take place all through April at the Kampus development.
It comprised street food events, theatre performances, bottomless brunches, arts workshops and other parties, running right up to the Bank Holiday weekend. However, it’s now revealed that the event won’t be happening.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our one month takeover at Kampus has been cancelled by the landlords there,” said Grub boss Jason Bailey. “To be clear this news came months after it was agreed in writing, weeks after the entire programme was signed off, days after it was announced publicly and hours after we signed our contract.
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“The reason has been confirmed that they have an intended tenant for the space from April to September. They offered us future partnerships and they offered us space in their workspace area which wasn't suitable for any of the events but they didn't offer any compensation, support or an apology.
“The message came from Native Residential who operate Kampus but we assume that this crushing decision was supported by Capital&Centric and Henry Boot Developments. We tried to clarify this but Native refused to elaborate beyond 'key stakeholders'. We await any further communication from anybody at Kampus.”
He said that the event being cancelled has lost £6,000 in ticketing income, food traders have lost £10,000 in potential food income, as well as a potential £15,000 in bar income too.
Bailey added to the Manchester Evening News: “We’re absolutely gutted that this month of events has been pulled, hugely disappointing and just not what any of the many many people involved need right now when times are hard enough. The response from Manchester has been predictably brilliant and we already have several offers to help out which is massively appreciated.”
Grub is located on Red Bank near Cheetham Hill, and is home to a wealth of independent food retailers and boasts a beer garden, bars, weekly street food markets and its own cinema and performance space.
In response, Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital&Centric, said: "We’ve hosted loads of pop-ups and one-off events. For the last three years, as owners of Kampus, we’ve sought out creatives, small businesses, artists and community groups, giving our time and space for free to help them showcase what they do. It's been amazing but what Kampus needs in 2023 is something slightly different.
“Unfortunately, Grub’s plans were announced prematurely when decisions were still being made about the spring and summer season inside the Bungalow. We understand the disappointment but, in fairness, we reached out and offered alternative spaces to Grub free-of-charge at Kampus.
"A community of independent businesses have now made the neighbourhood their permanent home, with Barkside and Great North Pie having just opened and Madre and Red Light arriving soon. Reflecting this, we need the Bungalow and garden to have sustained attractions throughout the spring and summer to cement Kampus as a place that's always on.”
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