Buttery at POD, Levenshulme

Closed 12/11/2017, change of use granted 21/9/2018. Planning Application 120507/FO/2018 | Change of use of former post office and sorting office to a mixed use licensed food hall, grocery shop and deli, microbrewery, community space and associated offices with installation of PhotoVoltaic panels to flat roofs and elevational alterations to rear outbuildings. Granted 21/9/2018.

History: Following a short period of closure around Christmas 2015, it emerged as the Buttery. Set in part of the building housing Levenshulme Post Office, where the right-hand side is the pub (formerly the Post Office Deli [POD]), while the left remains as a PO parcels collection office. POD began life in May 2010 in what was the public counter portion of the building, in those days it functioned purely as a café as it had no on-licence. It then went on to gain that on-licence a year later, at first selling British bottled ales and draught continental lagers. Two cask ales drawn from hand-pulls were added in mid-June of 2013 to add gloss to its already polished credentials. If keg craft beers are your thing, then the six tap dispensers on the wall will be of interest. An avant-garde set-up that would rival its contemporaries in either of the nearby trendy neighbourhoods of Chorlton or West Didsbury. It consists of a large room with space for plenty of tables, the decor is light and welcoming, brightened by a wall decorated in a bold floral print, plus a red wall that evokes memories of Post Office colours. Along the rear wall, part of what was the original PO counter now serves as the bar and deli display counter; from here food is served daily till about an hour before close (generally till 9pm). The food consists of pies, platters, soups, stews, and such like. The menu choices change from week to week, and varies depending on the season. The former courtyard at the front acts as the outside drinking area, where shade is provided for by table umbrellas; as you can imagine this is well used in times of good weather. All in all, Buttery is a real breath of fresh air for Levenshulme as it differs so much from what else is on offer in the town.