For more than a decade, a building hailed as the 'last remaining unmodernised corner of St Peter Square' remained unoccupied and abandoned. But today, queues of people are desperate to get inside.
Earlier this morning (June 12), famed coffee shop and café Joe & The Juice opened its newest store in the city centre, taking over the ground floor space of the Mosley Street unit opposite the Manchester Art Gallery and the St Peter's Square tram stop. The unit opens for the first time in 15 years.
Dating back to the 1860s when it was originally used as an office and warehouse, the Grade II-listed unit has been recently restored by architects Atelier MB. The restoration has seen its 'historic shop fronts reinstated', with planning permission secured for 25,000 sq ft of office space spread across the façade and an additional floor.
Ahead of its opening on Friday, the Copenhagen-based Joe & The Juice, which takes over two floors, told fans that it would be handing out 100 free juices from 9am as a way of celebrating its arrival and recognising the reopening of the building. As expected, even the heavy Manchester rain failed to stop people from queuing up early for the free offer.
Work on the coffee shop has been underway for three months with a look that fits in with the chain's signature Scandinavian aesthetic and open-counter layout. Its freshly-prepared menu features a choice of juices, specialty coffee and protein shakes, as well as its popular Scandi-style sandwiches made using the brand's signature rye flatbread.
Its line-up of sandwiches includes the Tunacado, a mix of tuna and avocado, which became an internet sensation four years ago after going viral. It also serves a special Matcha created by Love Island presenter Maya Jama, featuring a black sesame and collagen blend.
Founded in 2002, there are now over 450 Joe & The Juice stores across the world. The new Mosley Street spot marks its fourth in Greater Manchester, following the opening of its Cross Street, Manchester Airport T2 and the Trafford Centre stores.
Bosses behind the brand said they are not stopping there with their Manchester plans either, having just announced two additional stores to open soon. The café concept will also come to Sunlight House, on Little Quay Street, and Oxford Road later this summer.
“Manchester has this brilliant energy that just makes sense for us,” Jon James, JOE & THE JUICE’s UK Managing Director, said. “The city has welcomed us with open arms, so bringing fresh food, juices and coffee to Mosley Street, Sunlight House and Oxford Road felt like the obvious next step.
“We're not just opening locations - we're becoming part of the city's daily rhythm, and that's something we're really proud of.”
In addition to being open for dining and takeaways, the Mosley Street café also allows people to pre-order their orders via the JOE app, while locals within the area can also order online for delivery through Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo.
Joe & The Juice is on 79 Mosley St, Manchester M1 4NB.
