{"id":478212,"date":"2025-10-06T13:50:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T13:50:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/478212\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T13:50:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T13:50:33","slug":"beloved-dessert-cafe-in-historic-manchester-building-closes-after-12-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/478212\/","title":{"rendered":"Beloved dessert caf\u00e9 in historic Manchester building closes after 12 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

‘I don\u2019t feel like I\u2019m ending something, it feels like I\u2019m actually completing it’\"Ginger'sGinger’s Comfort Emporium has closed its Affleck’s caf\u00e9 after 12 years(Image: Ginger’s Comfort Emporium)<\/p>\n

A beloved desserts caf\u00e9 has closed down after 12 years in a historic building in Manchester\u2019s city centre.<\/a><\/p>\n

Having first opened within Afflecks Palace<\/a> in 2013, Ginger\u2019s Comfort Emporium has been a popular spot for ice cream treats, serving up a number of award-winning creations homemade in a kitchen in Chorlton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Led by owner Claire Kelsey, the caf\u00e9<\/a> often sells popular flavours like its salted caramel and peanut butter, affectionately hailed as Chorlton Crack, and its extra virgin olive oil, which was once previously named Best Dessert at the British Street Food Awards. It also serves a host of seasonal specials like smoked almond & cherry, and Blackberry & Liquorice.<\/p>\n

Owner Claire has now announced that the ice cream bar has now served up its final scoops at Afflecks – having permanently closed down its venue inside the Northern Quarter<\/a> shopping emporium on Saturday (October 4).<\/p>\n

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\"Ginger\u2019sGinger\u2019s Comfort Emporium, led by Claire Kelsey, started as an ice cream van some 15 years ago(Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

In a post on social media, Claire said there was \u2018no sad reason\u2019 for the decision, and said it had been made in order to focus \u2018extra energy\u2019 on new ideas, as well as continuing to appear at regular street food markets and festivals across the country throughout the year.<\/p>\n

The venture started life in 2010 as a renovated Ford ice cream van – decorated in pink, gold and burgundy – lovingly nicknamed Ginger. As well as appearing at festivals and events, Ginger\u2019s can also be hired out for corporate events, weddings and parties.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the M.E.N., Claire said she was \u2018heartbroken\u2019 to close the Afflecks venue, but ultimately felt it was the right decision to make for both herself and for the business going forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a really hard decision because I love it so much, but the shop is also one of the hardest sides of the business in terms of it being the most taxing for the least return,\u201d Claire explains. \u201cWe have always made a profit there, but it requires so much time and energy.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe ice cream bar at Affleck’s closed on Saturday (October 4)(Image: Ginger’s Comfort Emporium)<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve really liked being at Afflecks – it\u2019s a part of old Manchester, which I relate to – and there\u2019s nothing about it that I’m not seriously going to miss. The whole team have been amazing and the staff work so, so hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s heart-breaking to let it go, and I really do think it\u2019s one of the best spots in the Northern Quarter to be, but it\u2019s also exciting that we can move over and let someone else have a go in that unit now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Claire said she wants to reassure fans that the Ginger\u2019s business is going nowhere. They will continue on the wholesale side of the operation, and are already booking spots at markets, festivals and events for next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want people to think that Ginger\u2019s is closing,\u201d she explains. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of excitement to be had for the future. I don\u2019t feel like I\u2019m ending something, it feels like I\u2019m actually completing it. I feel like this is actually a really good time to go, because it\u2019s been so great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Claire said that staff at the Affleck\u2019s shop will be given opportunities to work at the kitchen, which many already do, as well as being able to help out at regular festivals and corporate hire events.<\/p>\n

\"Ginger'sGinger’s will continue to appear at festivals and markets across the country(Image: Ginger’s Comfort Emporium)<\/p>\n

She also has some hopes of expanding the kitchen operation in the future too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m also thinking of putting a small bar into our kitchen,\u201d Claire explains. \u201cWe could turn the neon lights on when we\u2019re churning ice cream and people can pop in for a scoop or two with some homemade toppings and sauces.”<\/p>\n

But Claire says that, ultimately, she sees the closure of the emporium as a positive next step and she is excited to see what next year brings when she returns to their regular calendar of events and festivals from next February onwards.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time to take a step back in order to take a step forward,\u201d she reiterates. \u201cI feel like I have been spread so thin and drawn into so many different things that I\u2019m now struggling to see the bigger picture.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to close this down, take some time off where I\u2019m not thinking about ice cream, and come back fizzing with ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking about the closure of Ginger’s, AJ Martyn, General Manager of Afflecks, told the M.E.N.: “Ginger\u2019s Comfort Emporium has been a member of the Afflecks family for 12 years and will always hold a place in our community. Whilst Claire and the team are now focusing on other areas of the business they have taken the decision to step back from the parlour.<\/p>\n

“Though we\u2019re sad to see them go, we wish them the very best of luck with their next exciting chapter and look forward to working with them in the future. We are in positive talks with other hospitality offerings and will update when we have further news on what\u2019s next for this space.”<\/p>\n

You can follow Ginger’s Comfort Emporium on Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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