CCTV outside Alex’s Bakery on Deansgate is understood to show a group of people who were drinking in the terrace, before getting ‘all crazy’ and trying to flip the picnic tables
The owner of Alex’s Bakery in Deansgate said her staff turned up to find damage to its terrace(Image: Alex’s Bakery)
The owner of a café which has been in Deansgate for more than seven years says she is becoming ‘really frustrated’ after staff arrived to find its terrace area had been damaged overnight.
Alex’s Bakery, within the Great Northern, has become known for its popular cupcakes, brownies and sweet treats for a number of years, and is also hailed as one of the city’s best spots for Afternoon Tea. Run by owner Alexandra Furlan, the spot is often packed out with queues at the weekend.
But on Sunday morning (April 12), staff arrived to find the outside terrace area had been damaged overnight – with splintered tables, broken glass, ripped plant pots, and a broken fence.
In a post on social media, Alex said she believed the destruction had been ‘caused by people who aren’t even our customers’.
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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, she said it was not the first time that the outside area had been vandalised, with its fence – which was described as now being ‘unsafe and barely standing’ – having been damaged and repaired just a few weeks ago.
“We constantly find a lot of mess from people over the weekend,” Alex explains. “It can be quite brutal for us because every weekend morning we’ll find something that needs tidying up or cleaning away. Often it’s takeaway rubbish, empty bottles, and cigarettes, but damage is becoming more frequent recently.
Alex said staff had to take the time to clean up and remove glass and debris before being able to prepare the bakery for opening(Image: Alex’s Bakery)
“It means we have to take extra time to clean the space ready for our customers on top of everything else we have to do in order to be ready for opening. Where else are people going to sit? It’s not fair on us, and it’s getting really quite frustrating, to be honest.”
Alex said their CCTV footage from the early hours of Sunday morning (April 11), which she has chosen not to share, showed a group of people who were drinking in the terrace, before getting ‘all crazy’ trying to flip the picnic tables over and ripping the plant pots off. The owner alleged broken glass from spirit and wine bottles was also found all over the floor of the area.
“When we came in on Sunday morning, the tables were all tilting over, and the fence is now wobbly. The tables are splintered and can be dangerous for our customers. It’s frustrating for us as we try to look after our things, and make it nice for people to enjoy. We can’t keep fixing things every weekend – it feels like something keeps happening to us and the other businesses here.”
Alex’s Bakery in Deansgate(Image: Alex’s Bakery)
Alex said she has not reported the damage to the police as she said she feels it will not lead to anything, but she just wants to remind people to be respectful of the area and the businesses there that are already struggling enough as it is.
“It’s a really tough time for everyone right now,” she explains. “But when things like this happen, it’s our responsibility to sort out. I love where our café is, it’s such a lovely spot, and we have some incredible customers who support us, but I don’t understand why people feel they can damage other people’s things? If people want to use our seats at night, then at least tidy up after yourselves. It’s very selfish, it should not be our job.
“When our staff come into work, they shouldn’t have to expect to find a lot of mess outside that they have to then spend their time sorting out. It makes everybody really angry. I’m just sick of it. I just want people to realise the impact it has on us and the other businesses here when this happens.”
How the bakery’s outside terrace is supposed to look(Image: Alex’s Bakery)
Mark Schofield, the Centre Director for Great Northern, told the M.E.N.: “We’re disappointed to see the damage caused to the outdoor terrace at Alex’s Bakery over the weekend. Alex’s is a much-loved independent business and an important part of the Great Northern Warehouse community, so it’s frustrating to see it impacted in this way.
“We’re proud of the independent brands that make Great Northern Warehouse what it is, and our immediate focus has been on supporting the team at Alex’s to get the space cleaned up. Incidents like this are taken seriously, and we continue to work closely with our on-site teams and partners to maintain a safe, welcoming environment for all businesses and visitors.”