TWO cat lady sisters are poised to open Manchester’s first ‘cat cafe’ in July.

Due to ‘health and safety’ (ie. cat hair and cat bottoms on surface areas) there will be no food actually prepared on site

But unlike the nearby curry caffs where you eat curry, the cat cafe will not actually be serving cats (we would like to state there is no evidence to suggest any Manchester restaurant is serving cat, dog on the other hand... Ed.).

The exact location of the Cat Cafe has, until now, remained a closely guarded secret. But having sniffed out a recent planning application, it looks as though the caff is set to occupy the current Richard Goodall Gallery site (no not the edgy poster place, the other one) at 103 High Street - opposite Sweet Mandarin. 

Richard Goodall Gallery The Cat Cafe will occupy the current Richard Goodall Galleryat 103 High Street

Owners Sarah and Ellie Close plan to create a purr-fect feline friendly place for cat lovers to chill out and unwind. Ten fluffy and affectionate cats with ‘different personalities’ have been collared for the role of having physical affection forced upon them day in, day out by up to sixteen patrons at a time (so as not to stress the mogs out).

The idea is for folk to pop in, get their paws on a coffee and a snack, and immerse themselves in the healing and apparently psychological benefits of petting a cat. According to the planning docs, a 'recent twenty year study showed that people who owned a cat were 40% less likely to have a heart attack'. 

 

The concept isn’t a new one, apparently the world's first cat café opened in 1998 in Taiwan. The idea had legs (and a fluffy tail), quickly catching on in Japan where many residents work long hours or live in apartments which don’t allow animals. The UK's first cat cafe opened in 2014 in Shoreditch (where else?).

The Cat Cafe website describes itself as a ‘home away from home’ and ‘a calm retreat from the day to day hustle and bustle of a busy city centre’ inviting customers to ‘take some time out to join us for a cuddle and a coffee.’ The place will be full of comfy sofas and blankets with rugs and beanbags for humans as well as cat trees, climbing frames, plush bedding and water fountains for the moggies.

For the two-legged with opposable thumbs, there will be free Wi-Fi, a computer, a TV corner with a games console. There will also feature a large tropical fish tank (the poor little buggers).

Due to ‘health and safety’ (ie. cat hair and cat bottoms on surface areas) there will be no food actually prepared on site. The plan is for them to charge a modest ‘pay as you stay’ fee in return for an extensive drinks and snacks menu for customers including unlimited hot and cold beverages.

The Cat Cafe will open (subject to planning) at 103 High Street, Northern Quarter, in July from 9am - 9pm. Find out more on Twitter @catcafemanc or on Facebook.

 

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