Manchester cafe owner 'heartbroken' as power cut sees venue shut for two days

'It's just been a nightmare'16:51, 04 Aug 2026The owner of a cafe in Didsbury said it has been an ‘absolute nightmare’ after the power to his shop was cut by an energy provider - causing a loss of two days of trading.‌Earlier this year, Smoak opened its first location in the south Manchester suburb on Barlow Moor Road, following the success of its original Chorlton cafe which first opened four years ago.‌On Monday (August 3), owner Jonathan Barnett said all power to the Didsbury coffee shop had been cut resulting in the business losing ‘thousands of pounds’. In a post on social media, he claimed he was told there had been a ‘mix up’ with the original energy provider from before he had taken over the premises.‌Click here for the latest on Manchester's food & drink scene, gigs and more in ou