Neighbours rally to save popular deli destroyed in blaze
THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised to help rebuild a cafe after it was destroyed in a fire.
The popular Phoenix Deli, on Oswald Road, Chorlton, went up in flames on August 25 and suffered more than £50,000-worth of damage.
Crews spent around two hours tackling the blaze, which involved a chiller unit and a display cabinet.
The venue was forced to close and has not yet been able to re-open. But supportive people who live nearby and regularly visit the popular cafe have rallied round to raise money to see it refurbished.
Contractors even suggested the cafe upped sticks and moved to another venue due to the extent of the damage.
Owners David and Mark say the response has been ‘overwhelming’.
David Shannon, co-owner, told the M.E.N: “I had never heard of Go Fund Me before and I knew that eventually we would get back on our feet through the business insurance.
“When customers started offering to run a page for us, I thought, why not?
“I first thought just a few hundred pounds would be raised, but it escalated so quickly and it was just incredible. People have been asking us what is going on and we still don’t know yet but we hope work can start in the next few weeks as we are just desperate to reopen. We are just so overwhelmed by how kind and generous everyone is.”
Following the fire, the cafe took to Facebook to post that it would remain closed for the foreseeable future.
A post called the fire a ‘horrendous thing’, but confirmed that nobody was hurt. It added that it would aim to get up and running again as soon as possible.
So far, the generosity from local people has meant that £3,500 has been raised to help support the business get back on its feet.