Withington’s Café Blah has staged a lock-in protest after reportedly being forced to close
Locks on the property were allegedly changed by the landlord without notice
Withington’s popular Café Blah has been forced to close, with the owners staging a sit-in protest after the landlord allegedly changed the locks.
On October 7th, the owners of the business announced that they had been locked out of the venue without formal notice, just two days after their “Party for the People” festival.
After being given two hours to remove their belongings from the property, owners Tess and Adam staged a lock-in, demanding “reasonable” notice for eviction.
via Facebook, Café Blah
The space, which has become a key landmark in the Withington nightlife scene, has been navigating an ongoing rent battle for over a year. As reported by The Mill, owners Tess Parkinson and Adam Porrino had been faced with a 60 per cent rent increase and threatening emails from the property owners.
A notice stuck to the shutter of the venue details: “No rent payments were ever missed and we do not believe any form of formal notice was received to evict us from the premises.”
The Mill reports that Café Blah’s owners, alongside a few regulars, have said they’ll remain in the venue until further action is taken. They intend to raise money to put toward a deposit on a new space, though they have stated they hope to remain in Withington. The cafe has operated for over four years, and is home to live music, independent film screenings and street parties. It markets itself as being an affordable, accessible cafe that serves the local area.
Most Read
Following the post-Covid wave of venue closures, this protest highlights the issues many independent venues are facing to stay operational amidst rising rent costs.
Withington Pride – Greta Mary Kaur-Taylor @gretaktaylor
To support Café Blah and donate towards relocation, take a look at the crowdfunding campaign here.
The Manchester Tab reached out to H Homes for comment.
Cover image via Facebook, Café Blah
Related stories recommended by this writer:
• The grand return to Manchester after a year abroad: The good, the bad and the ugly
• The ultimate 2024 costume hot list: How to dress for Fallow-een this year
• Essentials to know before Freshers’ Week: A complete guide to the Uni of Manchester
Latest
Forget the library, try these 7 underrated study spots in Liverpool instead
The Sydney Jones and Harold Cohen might seem like the obvious choices to get some revision done, but Liverpool is full of other places that are perfect for studying. Check out these 6 spots to go for your next study date.
I guessed the star sign of every Manchester based bus service for no real reason
The 50 is a Gemini, two always come at once
Here’s five ways to fight the winter blues as an Exeter Uni student
Here’s five ways to fight the winter blues
Man airlifted to hospital after bus and tram crash in Manchester city centre
Police have closed off Mosley Street and parts of Piccadilly Gardens
What your post night out scran says about you as a student in Nottingham
There is no better feeling than that first bite of takeaway after a memorable night
Tyler from Love Is Blind claps back against claims he ‘lied’ about his children
‘A lot of off camera conversations were had’
Attention Lancaster students: Here are all the festivals coming up within the next month
Professor Andy Schofield has worked at Lancaster University for four years
Everything we know so far about the ongoing police investigation into Liam Payne’s death
The police are analysing powders found in his hotel room
University of Bristol student finds live scorpion in her Shein parcel
A specialist reptile welfare team attended the accommodation to retrieve the insect
Cardiff Council propose plan to ban student houses from being able to buy parking permits
The scheme could also affect graduates too if they’re living in HMOs
Forget the library, try these 7 underrated study spots in Liverpool instead
The Sydney Jones and Harold Cohen might seem like the obvious choices to get some revision done, but Liverpool is full of other places that are perfect for studying. Check out these 6 spots to go for your next study date.
I guessed the star sign of every Manchester based bus service for no real reason
The 50 is a Gemini, two always come at once
Here’s five ways to fight the winter blues as an Exeter Uni student
Here’s five ways to fight the winter blues
Man airlifted to hospital after bus and tram crash in Manchester city centre
Police have closed off Mosley Street and parts of Piccadilly Gardens
What your post night out scran says about you as a student in Nottingham
There is no better feeling than that first bite of takeaway after a memorable night
Tyler from Love Is Blind claps back against claims he ‘lied’ about his children
‘A lot of off camera conversations were had’
Attention Lancaster students: Here are all the festivals coming up within the next month
Professor Andy Schofield has worked at Lancaster University for four years
Everything we know so far about the ongoing police investigation into Liam Payne’s death
The police are analysing powders found in his hotel room
University of Bristol student finds live scorpion in her Shein parcel
A specialist reptile welfare team attended the accommodation to retrieve the insect
Cardiff Council propose plan to ban student houses from being able to buy parking permits
The scheme could also affect graduates too if they’re living in HMOs