Police evacuated a Jewish social club opposite the Manchester synagogue that was the scene of a fatal car and knife attack earlier this month after staff discovered a suspicious substance inside an envelope.
Emergency services were called to the Nicky day centre on Middleton Road in Crumpsall on Monday afternoon amid safety concerns about what was initially described as a potentially hazardous material. Greater Manchester Police said the building was evacuated as a precaution, and forensic officers were brought in to examine the substance.
Following analysis, police confirmed that the item was non-suspicious. The BBC understands it was a flower that had naturally decayed and dispersed its seeds. “We appreciate your patience and the co-operation from the community,” police said in a statement. Officers added that forensic teams would complete final checks and that the centre was expected to reopen within hours.
Police acknowledged that the incident had caused unease following the nearby attack at Heaton Park Synagogue on 2 October, when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, drove a car into members of the public before carrying out a knife assault. Two men, 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, were killed. Mr Daulby was later found to have been struck by police gunfire as officers tried to stop the attacker. Three others were taken to hospital.
The Nicky stands directly opposite the synagogue and has long been a cornerstone of Manchester’s Jewish community. Known formally as the Nicky Alliance Day Centre, it serves as Greater Manchester’s Jewish social club for adults of all ages and abilities. Founded in 1951 as the Jewish Blind Society and named after Nicky Alliance, a philanthropist whose love of community and music continues to inspire its ethos, the centre has grown into one of the region’s most trusted and welcoming social hubs.
Its mission is to create spaces where connection feels natural—where people can gather, express themselves, and feel they truly belong. The Nicky operates as both a cultural and social hub, supporting older adults, younger adults with learning or social differences, carers, and families. It promotes inclusion and dignity rather than dependence, encouraging members to take part in activities that build confidence, community, and joy.
Each week, members meet for freshly prepared kosher three-course lunches served four days a week, alongside a wide programme of creative and social activities. The centre’s calendar includes art classes, baking sessions, exercise groups, theatre visits, day trips, gardening, and live entertainment. Jewish festivals such as Purim, Chanukah, Tu B’shvat, and Passover are marked with communal celebrations, model seders, and feasts, helping members maintain strong connections to faith and culture.
Beyond its on-site programmes, The Nicky also runs essential support services for the wider Jewish community across Manchester, Salford, and Bury. Its Meals on Wheels scheme delivers over 150 freshly prepared kosher meals every week to people who are ill, recovering from hospital stays, or experiencing physical difficulties. The service, staffed by volunteers, is often a vital point of social contact for recipients and their families.
The centre’s assisted bathing service offers a safe and dignified way for those with mobility issues to bathe independently, supported by trained care staff. Facilities include an adjustable bath, walk-in shower, and non-slip flooring, with all toiletries provided.
Accessibility and inclusion are built into every aspect of The Nicky’s design. The purpose-built centre includes an IT suite, library, convenience shop, multi-sensory garden, and even a talking newspaper service that helps visually impaired members keep up with community news. Through a partnership with the League of Jewish Women, The Nicky produces the Northern Jewish Talking Newspaper — a free weekly audio digest of the Jewish Telegraph, distributed digitally to those unable to read print editions.
The Nicky’s team includes Chief Executive David Delew OBE, Finance Manager Hilary Granat, and Centre Manager Karen Grant, alongside a dedicated staff of carers, drivers, and activity coordinators. The organisation is guided by an active board chaired by Michael Moore, with patrons including Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE and Diane Hawkins, HM Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester.
Though Monday’s evacuation caused disruption, police and community leaders stressed that safety precautions were appropriate and that the incident was quickly resolved. The centre is expected to resume normal operations once final checks are completed.
For many in Manchester’s Jewish community, The Nicky is far more than a day centre—it is a place of belonging, history, and continuity. Its mission to “build belonging, not barriers” has made it an essential part of Jewish life in North Manchester for over 70 years, offering not only care and companionship but also a sense of dignity and resilience in the face of challenge.
