Manchester café prepares to reopen seven months after tragedy

A Greater Manchester cafe is preparing to reopen seven months after a fatal bus crash at Piccadilly Gardens last year.

Emergency services swarmed Piccadilly Gardens in the aftermath of the collision on October 16, where the bus had shattered the front of T4, a bubble tea shop at City Tower.

A 77-year-old woman tragically died following the crash. Almena Amica, who was a pedestrian during the incident, was taken to hospital with serious injuries but later died.

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Almena, from south Manchester, was known as Mena to her family and friends. In a statement issued by Greater Manchester Police the following day, her family said: "Mena was dedicated to her family, friends and faith.

"She loved music, gardening, TV soaps and nature. She was the senior member of our family, the eldest sister and great-great-aunt. She was well-loved, our matriarch, and her presence will be hugely missed.

"Mena was a private person and her family asks that this be respected during our time of mourning. We thank all the services and people who came to her aid."

Eleven other people, both pedestrians and bus passengers, were either treated at the scene or in hospital for minor injuries following the collision. A 64-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was subsequently bailed.

Several months on, the shop will now reopen, with customers able to visit again on Saturday, June 15. The shop, which is part of the T4 franchise started in Taiwan in 2004, specialises in bubble tea, with sites across the UK in locations including London, Liverpool and Nottingham.

Bubble tea, or boba tea as it is also known, is a