SEESAW // Adrien Brenner
Down on Princess Street, just opposite Fifth Avenue is SEESAW, a workspace and creative hub that’s brought together some of the city’s best designers, photographers, filmmakers, writers, coders, marketers and more.
Set in a stunning century-old Grade-II listed building, it was founded by three Manchester creatives – Takk, Kerb Wine and OL Brewery founders, Philip Hannaway and David McCall alongside Sheila Bird Studio’s Atul Bansal.
They partnered with 86 Princess Street’s landlord to see what could be made possible, building a creative industries community in the historic transformed warehouse space.
Lewis & Dorothy // Adrien Brenner
The result is a creative space that aims to “inspire with technology and amenities to deliver the perfect work-life balance” – which goes as far as to not just offer workspaces but also a space to eat and drink and socialise – which is where legendary bakers Batard come in.
This week they announced that they’re taking a lease on a café space inside SEESAW, operating an on-site bakery and kitchen with “creative riffs on café stables” using local and seasonal produce, plus… ALL the baked goods!
We couldn’t be happier and it’s been a rollercoaster journey for founding head baker of Gooey; Lewis Loughman and fellow baker Dorothy Jaffa, the duo behind Batard, who began baking treats at a pop-up in Withington Public Hall Institute during lockdown.
Famed for their pastries, pasties and pies, the residency at SEESAW will see them serving their bakes using flour freshly milled on site, as well as a food menu focused on local produce and seasonality.
Photo: Adam Pester
Their menu will consist of breakfast and lunch items, using the best produce Manchester has to offer; meat from Littlewoods, cheese from The Crafty Cheese Man and veg from beyond organic farm Cinderwood.
Each item will be centred around a product freshly baked on site; sourdough, hokkaido milk loaf, babka. Coffee will be served by SEESAW’s baristas using local roastery Swansong. Natural wine by KERB, local beers and cocktails are to follow.
SEESAW // Adrien Brenner
Philip Hannaway, Managing Director, says, “We’re really excited to welcome Batard into SEESAW. As a fellow start up they share our love of the creative and doing things differently. We couldn’t think of a better addition to our SEESAW café offer and we look forward to our members, as well as the public, enjoying what we have to offer between us.”
The plan is to get everything set up before the end of September, so keep an eye on their socials for developments and a concrete opening date…
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