Knutsford based Living Ventures Group have raised a record £53,190 for Cancer Research UK during January 2015. In total, 33 Living Ventures’ establishments in eight cities around the UK, participated in the initiative by adding £1 to each diner’s bill.
Tim Bacon, Living Ventures CEO said: " I am delighted that we have been able to raise such an incredible amount for such a worthwhile cause.”
Bethany Felton, Cancer Research UK’s North West spokeswoman, said: “We’d like to thank staff and customers for their kind donations. The money raised by Living Ventures will go to Cancer Research UK’s More Tomorrow’s campaign which is helping to fund the new Manchester Cancer Research Centre in Withington - a really important initiative to help scientists look for treatments and get these to patient faster. Every hour, more than four people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. The Manchester Cancer Research Centre, a partnership between Cancer Research UK, The University of Manchester and The Christie, aims to improve understanding of how cancer develops, in order to translate basic and clinical research into new treatments that benefit cancer patients in Manchester and across the world.”
“The new facility will ensure we provide outstanding opportunities and a vibrant environment for researchers, clinicians and external partners to work together towards our vision through a single-site 'bench to bedside' approach.”
The Midland Hotel's casual fine dining restaurant Mr Coopers House and Garden has been awarded a coveted spot in Conde Nast traveller magazine's Gold Standard, which highlights their choice of the world's best 18 bars and restaurants. Only two other spots in the list have been awarded to UK based operations.
It’s the latest in a long line of accolades to be bestowed upon the Simon Rogan led Mr Cooper's, which continues to prove a massive success with both diners and bar goers in the city.
The guide playfully quotes 'Unlike other bars in town, there's nothing on the menu named after The Stone Roses'.
It has certainly been an eventful start to 2015 for Living Ventures, with news that they are set to occupy the available space at 81 King Street (formally Room/Reform) and transform it into Australasia Bar and Garden. Sister to popular restaurant Australasia, Australasia Bar and Garden will be known for cocktails, sushi, small plates and DJ, operating from brunch through to late night. “I have admired this space for many years and have fond memories of it as Reform in the 90s. It’s history is fascinating and having been a hospitality establishment for nearly 145 years, we aim to successfully continue the tradition. To me this is a perfect layout for Australasia Bar and Garden. The existing venue has proved really popular and exceeded our expectations so I have been waiting for an appropriate site to expand this brand. It will be a sensitive and complimentary upgrade, as I’m keen not to lose any of the character which oozes through this space.” Tim Bacon, CEO, Living Ventures.
Work has now commenced on the Artisan Café Bar situated on the ground floor of the existing restaurant and bar in Spinningfields. Set to open towards the end of March, with seating both inside and out, the area will be a perfect addition to a venue that has become a firm favourite on the dining scene in Manchester. Open from breakfast until late, guests can linger over a latte with friends, savour small plates or share drinks with friends.
Yet another exciting chapter is planned for Artisan in the Autumn, when they will open their much anticipated cinema room. The first of its kind in Manchester, the room will be perfect for private screenings and product launches with a state of the art screen and sound system. Artisan has also announced that they have agreed a venue collaboration with Curzon Cinemas so the cinema room will be showing current releases and popular classics. The emphasis will be on comfort and style in this 25-30 capacity room where guests will be able to relax and lose themselves in luxurious surroundings. An adjoining ante room with private bar will add another convenient dimension.
There is quite simply something to suit all tastes at Artisan, the perfect place to meet, whether for a delicious cocktail or coffee, lunch meeting or dinner and a movie! Further detail about the cinema will be available later in the year.
In other news, The Alchemist Spinningfields is to be given a huge extension doubling the restaurant capacity both inside and out. The Alchemist will close from the 7th March for 6 weeks and be open in time for light nights and alfresco bites. Since opening in November 2011 The Alchemist has been a popular retreat for people living and working in Manchester and is consistently busy, so this extension into space previously occupied by All Saints will be a welcome addition.
New Manchester restaurant Hawksmoor will be opening its doors on 5th March, following a two-week soft launch period in which customers can enjoy 50% off food.
Over the last few years Hawksmoor has developed a reputation as one of the UK’s best restaurants with its simple mix of dictionary-thick steaks cooked over charcoal, a wine list drawn from interesting small vineyards as well as big-name winemakers, and award-winning cocktails all served by lovely people who genuinely care about what they do. Hawksmoor sources all its meat from The Ginger Pig in Yorkshire, where Tim Wilson ethically rears traditional breed British cattle. His grass-fed beef is widely acknowledged to be the best in the country.
Based in the Victorian Courthouse building on 184-186 Deansgate, Hawksmoor Manchester is owners Will Beckett and Huw Gott’s first restaurant outside London . Will: “It feels great, after years of trying to open a restaurant in Manchester and months of building works, tastings and anticipation to be finally on the verge of launching the restaurant. We really hope Manchester likes what we’ve created - really high standards of food, drink and service, but in a relaxed environment with none of the stuffiness that sometimes comes with fine dining.
We’ve really got to know Manchester over these last few months and believe Hawksmoor will be a great addition to the dining scene in the city. We love the Courthouse, it’s proved to be the perfect location for us and we hope we’ve done it justice.
Soft launches have worked really well at our restaurants in London, they give people a chance to come down and see what we’re all about and we’re hoping to see a lot of you and get your feedback before we fully open our doors on March 5th.”
The former Monsoon clothes store on the corner of King Street is set to become an Ed’s Easy Diner. This 1950’s retro diner chain successfully recreates the iconic US look and atmosphere. _ 27 Feb 2015
Lebanese restaurant Comptior Libanais look set to take over the former Brooks Brothers unit in Spinningfields. The popular London restaurant offers fresh, fast, affordable Lebanese & Middle Eastern food in traditional sharing meze style. _ 27 Feb 2015
20 years after launching Hooters Nottingham, the controversial sports bar/restaurant which is famous for its spicy wings and Hooters girls, is eyeing up further UK sites including Manchester. _ 26 Feb 2015
Is Café Rouge leaving Manchester for good? As yet another branch closes; this time the Deansgate branch is closing its doors to make way for modern Italian chain restaurant Prezzo. _ 25 Feb 2015
City Centre restaurant 2Kozy which has been on the market for some time, has been re-launched as La Bandera. Company director & Spanish national Mr Yashin Dadashnejad Keshavarzi is the man behind the transformation. La Bandera offers fresh, simple & delicious Spanish food with an ever changing menu created by executive chef Josetxo Arrieta. _ 25 Feb 2015
After a lot of anticipation work has finally began on Manchester’s very own Burger & Lobster restaurant. The two dish menu concept has been a hit in London, allowing dinners the luxury of making less decisions when dining out all you need to do is decide; Burger or Lobster, and enjoy. _ 24 Feb 2015
Manchester's first Cereal Café is coming to town. Black Milk Cereal Drive is set to open in the northern quarters Affleck's place. This novel concept will be serving cereal and milk along with other comforting baked goods. _ 23 Feb 2015
Following on from a successful menu expansion in the USA, Starbucks are keen to launch their evening menu to the UK market. The new evening menu will see stores offering beer and wine along with hot and cold meals from 4pm. It is not yet clear which stores in the UK will be offering the service but with 13 stores and counting in the city it looks like starbucks popularity will only grow. _ 23 Feb 2015
Popular Prestbury restaurant The Saffron Room has opened in Castlefield. The Indian restaurant which is advertised as offering a sophisticated fine dining overlooking the canal has taken residency in the former Choice restaurant. _ 17 Feb 2015
Popular Northern Quarter cake spot Tea 42 are opening a second site in the city. This time in the gay village, taking on the former Ghengis Khan unit on Chorlton street. _ 16 Feb 2015
The exact location is still being decided but the proprietor of high end Thai restaurant Busaba Eathi, Alan Yau, is planning an opening in Manchester. Current locations of interest for the founder of Wagamama are both the Printworks and the still in development Corn Exchange. _ 16 Feb 2015
Glendola Leisure are reportedly about to sign on the dotted line for one of the last available units in the Corn Exchange complex. Glendola will be opening their second Bar and Beef steak house style restaurant less than a year after the original restaurant opened its doors in Glasgow. _ 16 Feb 2015
The Drunken Butcher is planning an Emma in Wonderland event, taking place in May. The evening will offer fabulous dining with themed cocktails such as the White Rabbit, and A Cheshire Grin created by The Liquorists and Manchester House. If you hadn’t guessed already the event is themed on Alice and Wonderland and is in aid of Action against Hunger, with £10 from each ticket sales going to the charity. _ 12 Feb 2015
The team behind The Lead in Chorlton are moving into the Northern Quarter. Tariff and Dale is set to open in early spring on the corner of Tariff and Dale Street. The new venture will see what owner Nick De Sousa describes as an ‘urban kitchen’, headed up by a local chef who has worked in Michelin starred kitchens. _ 10 Feb 2015
King Street in Manchester is soon to see the launch of a new fine dining restaurant named Quill. The team behind the new operation; On The Wall, are the same group responsible for Chalk Bar and Grill in Disbury. The aim is to create a 'luxury restaurant and exclusive cocktail bar', which has hopes to revive the lull in King Street's popularity following the launch of Spinningfields several years ago. _ 04 Feb 2015
Popular TV chef Ching-He Huang has collaborated with Harvey Nichols to deliver a special Chinese New Year celebration menu. The event will be hosted by Ching herself and will take place on Tuesday 12th February, and entrance will include a series of dishes, along with a themed cocktail. Tickets to the event are understandably extremely limited and cost £45 per person. _ 03 Feb 2015
The Russian craze of paying per minute in coffee shops has made it to Manchester's Edge Street in the Northern Quarter. Ziferblat charges 5p per minute, and once inside, you can eat and drink as many coffees and cakes etc as you like, all included in your 5p per minute. Clearly they have no idea how much Mancunians me can eat in drink in 5 minutes! _ 03 Feb 2015
Based on the popularity seen at their Deansgate branch, an outlet of the popular all day dining restaurant; Bills, is soon set to open in the Trafford Centre. Its location in the centre is so far unreleased, but the new branch looks set to be another hit with shoppers. _ 03 Feb 2015
