Supporting Manchester’s Restaurant Industry
Supporting Manchester’s restaurant industry is one of our prime motivations at Manchester Bites. There’s never been a more critical time for the industry than that at present. Businesses have clung on by their finger nails through covid and then the cost of living crisis.
The start of 2024 has seen the closure of more restaurants in our city and it’s not just the smaller operations. Here we take a look at what’s been happening and perhaps what we can do to help.
A Worrying Start to 2024
Manchester has been known for many things in it’s history. Birthplace of industry and home to some of the best music bands and sports teams in the country. More recently the city has gained a reputation as having some of the best dining outside of London. From uber trendy sushi joints to the Instagramable names of The Ivy and Sexy Fish, no longer is Manchester a backwater for the discernible diner.
We are blessed with some serious local talent. Simon Martin at our very own Michelin recognised Mana, Michael Clay just down the road at Elnecot and now Tom Barnes with his exciting opening of Skof mean that Manchester is a force to be reckoned with on the dining scene of the UK. Add to this the countless smaller businesses and locally run food heroes and we’re really lucky to have such a scene.
Unfortunately, the start of 2024 has seen a very worrying pattern not emerge but grow. Restaurant closures. This has been happening since Covid but perhaps now it seems more worrying with big names and long-term businesses shutting up shop.
We’re not just talking about the smaller operations. Just last month the doors closed on a south Manchester institution Greens in Didsbury. Helmed by TV chef Simon Rimmer, the restaurant has been a go to in the city’s vegetarian community for 33 years and introduced unique flavours to herbivores and carnivores alike. On the closure of his restaurant Rimmer said
“Our landlords have increased our rent by on the region of 35%. The cost of raw materials, the cost of heat, light and power, employing people and generous food costs had meant that the business unfortunately has become unviable”
Just this week we have lost a restaurant and deli that was well loved by guests on our Canals to Canapes food tour. Lily’s deli in Ancoats (pictured) closed it’s doors for good on 13th January. Whilst it’s original branch in Ashton and the Chorlton branch are still open, we will miss the staff and of course the food at this little gem of a place. Another locally run business that just couldn’t justify remaining open.
Why is This Happening ?
The closure of restaurants in Manchester is also reflective of evolving consumer behaviors, with a growing preference for food delivery and takeout services. The convenience of ordering from the comfort of home, has prompted a shift in how some people choose to enjoy their meals. As a result, many restaurants, especially smaller establishments without robust delivery infrastructure, have struggled to adapt to this changing landscape.
Additionally, the rise of virtual kitchens and ghost kitchens has added a new dimension to the competition, further squeezing traditional dine-in restaurants. These establishments, operating without a physical storefront, can often offer lower prices and a more streamlined operation, posing a formidable challenge to brick-and-mortar restaurants in Manchester.
Rising Rents and Property Prices:
Manchester’s urban landscape has been undergoing a transformation in recent years, with gentrification driving up property prices and rents. This has placed an additional burden on restaurant owners, especially those located in popular and trendy neighborhoods. As property values soar, many restaurants are faced with the difficult decision of whether to absorb the increased costs or pass them on to consumers in the form of higher menu prices.
For smaller, independently owned restaurants, the rising cost of real estate can be particularly detrimental. The closure of such establishments not only diminishes the city’s culinary diversity but also erodes the unique character that these smaller ventures bring to Manchester’s neighborhoods.
Business rates, VAT, food costs, wages. Everything is up. Last year in a local news article Sud pasta (now Rigotonis) explained what the costs were involved in their “house pasta”dish. The dish cost £16.50 and after all costs the restaurant made 50p. Think about that for a moment. If you had to get up every morning and work hard to keep your standards high, your reputation in tact and your staff all employed. Wouldn’t you want more than 50p per dish for your efforts?
Community Impact
Beyond the economic implications, the closure of restaurants in Manchester has a profound impact on the community. These establishments serve as social hubs, contributing to the city’s identity and fostering a sense of local pride. The loss of these gathering spaces creates not only a void in the culinary landscape but also a gap in the social fabric of the city.
We pride ourselves on being a friendly city. This is so apparent with the warm welcomes we receive on a daily basis when taking our food tours into businesses such as The Butcher’s Quarter on Tib street or This n That café. We feel almost like family and the community spirit that is created amongst the restaurant industry seaps into every customer.
When restaurants close we don’t just loose a place to eat we loose familiar faces, friendly smiles and a genuine pillar of the communities. We lose a place to come together, celebrate special occasions, or simply enjoy a meal with loved ones. The closure of these establishments resonates beyond economic statistics, touching the hearts of residents who have forged memories and connections within the walls of their favorite restaurants.
The worrying surge in restaurant closures in Manchester is a multifaceted issue rooted in economic challenges, changing consumer behaviors, rising costs, and community impact. As the city grapples with these closures, it becomes crucial for stakeholders, including local authorities, business owners, and residents, to collaborate in finding sustainable solutions to revive and support the beleaguered hospitality industry.
What can we do?
The resilience of Manchester’s culinary scene lies in the ability to adapt, innovate, and collectively work towards ensuring that the city’s diverse dining experiences continue to thrive. We have amazing people, doing amazing things and getting little if any reward. This won’t continue. We all need to be supporting Manchester’s restaurant industry.
We can all do a little bit to help this year. Have that lunch catch up you’ve been meaning to have for months, celebrate that milestone, order take aways directly from the restaurant and if possible, go and collect. All small things but if we all do them, we can help.
Prices will increase but you can be guaranteed that every restaurant owner and manager will be doing their upmost to make sure that service is on top form and that your experience is reflected in those increases. We speak to countelss business owners in the industry and one thing that ties them all together is the reluctance to pass these costs on to the end customer. But needs must and if we’re to keep enjoying Manchester’s food and nightlife economy as we all love to, we need to be aware of this.
Of course, the main people who really can make a difference here are the government. Ending ridiculous business rates and giving tax breaks to an industry which employs over half a million people directly and millions more indirectly. The restaurant industry has been battered more than most in the past few years and the help from above is pitiful.
How many more loved restaurants need to close before our communities are just a generic copy type full of Starbucks, Pizza Express and Nando’s?
5 Manchester Christmas Gift Ideas
It’s that time of year again when we struggle to find the perfect gift for loved ones. What to buy the person who has everything or that friend who says they don;t care but you know that they really do.
We’ve put a list of Manchester inspired Christmas gift ideas together. We hope it helps.
Manchester Bee Gifts
The Manchester bee has become a symbol of resilience and unity, representing the city’s spirit in the face of challenges. Gift your loved ones a piece of Mancunian pride with Manchester bee merchandise. From cozy hoodies and stylish tote bags to delicate jewelry, there are countless options adorned with this iconic emblem. Not only do these items make for thoughtful gifts, but they also carry a powerful message of strength and community.
You can shop online at the Manchestershop.
Locally made arts and crafts gifts
The Northern Quarter is a hub of creativity and innovation in Manchester. Explore local artisanal markets and boutique stores to discover handcrafted goods that make for unique and memorable Christmas gifts. Consider items such as handmade candles, bespoke ceramics, or locally produced artwork. By choosing artisanal goods from the Northern Quarter, you not only support local artists and makers but also give a one-of-a-kind present that reflects the city’s creative energy.
Head to our friends at the Manchester craft and design centre on Oak street and see what you can find.
Manchester Gin or Craft Beer gift sets
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, a Manchester gin, rum or craft beer set is an ideal Christmas gift. We’ve got a thriving craft beverage scene, with numerous distilleries and breweries producing high-quality libations. Create a custom gift set featuring a bottle of Manchester gin, a selection of craft beers from local breweries, and perhaps a bottle of the legendary Salford rum. It’s a tasteful way to share the distinctive flavours of Manchester and the surrounding area with friends and family.
The Gift of Music
Manchester has a rich musical heritage, from the legendary sounds of Oasis to the iconic venues that have hosted countless performances. Gift the music lover in your life a piece of Manchester’s sonic history with memorabilia from their favourite artists or concerts. This could include vintage concert posters, limited edition vinyl records, or even tickets to upcoming shows. It’s a thoughtful nod to the city’s cultural significance in the world of music.
Food and Drink Gift Vouchers
If your loved one is a real food lover then what better gift than a food tour voucher for one of our food tours in Manchester. We’ve got vouchers for join in tours as well as private tours for those special occassions. You can easily buy vouchers which have a full 6 month expiry so you can wait until the weather gets a bit warmer. If there’s a special occassion please let us know and we’ll see what we can do.
Click here to buy vouchers
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New Century Hall.
New century hall is a name synonymous with Manchester’s music scene.
Built in 1963 the venue played host to names like Jimmy Hendrix, The Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones and Tina Turner. It was famous for having both excellent acoustics and a sprung dance floor.
As Manchester’s music scene changed the venue hosted many an acid-house party in the 80’s.
It was in the latter part of the 20th century that the area around New century hall became an almost forgotten part of Manchester. While other parts of the city were being developed the area we now know as NOMA was very much left alone. Businesses moved to more attractive area’s and the New century development was left behind.
Last year a relaunch occurred and once more New Century hall was on the lips of those in the know of where to go. Being a listed building has meant that many of the original interior remains. The dance floor is still the original spring version. The lights still date back to the early 60’s.
The line up will always be eclectic. The bard of Salford John Cooper Clarke has performed here since the relaunch. As have countless up and coming bands as well as some more familiar names such as The Charlatans. It’s a venue that is breathing new life into an already thriving music and art scene here in Manchester.
New Century Food Hall
New Century hall is also where you can find one of Manchester’s newest food and drink venues. Right underneath the dance floor on the ground level is New Century Kitchen.
8,000 square foot of independent food and drink retailers make this a must see destination for any food lovers in Manchester. Local names such as Spice Yard and Zumuku sushi are firm favourites with the crowds. In the centre of the kitchens you’ll find a bar offering local beers and spirits and some great inernational choices as well.
Evening Food Tour
We’ve been asked by quite a few of our clients if we’d put together and evening food tour of Manchester. New Century hall is going to be the starting point for this new project. Amazing, local food in one of Manchester’s most historical buildings. What’s not to love?
To reserve your spot on our new evening food tour, send us an email and we’ll share all of the information.
Manchester Events 2023.
Manchester has a lot to look forward to in 2023. Here’s our top 5 events that we can’t wait for.
Ashes Cricket comes to Manchester.
Let’s face it, we are very lucky here with sporting events. Football is our main passion but we’re also blessed with rugby teams, golf courses and one of the country’s best test match cricket venues. Australia are the visiting team this year and the test match begins on 19th July. There’ll be a great atmosphere in the city and we’re expecting a lot of hungry Aussies to join our food tours.
Manchester International Festival.
It’s back. The Manchester International Festival begins at the end of June and is an 18 day festival full of events and performances. Since it’s first edition in 2007 the festival has attracted some of the world’s greatest artists to our city. Events are being announced as we get nearer the summer but keep your eye on https://factoryinternational.org/whats-on/mif-23/ and grab the most popular tickets first.
Manchester Music Festivals.
As everyone knows we love our music here in Manchester. Every summer the city is a hotbed of concerts and festivals. bands from around the world love performing here and we love having them. One of the most talked about gigs is Manchester’s own The Courteeners playing at Heaton park in June. June also sees The Arctic Monkeys, Cold Play and Elton John in town.
New Places to eat.
Manchester’s food scene id constantly evolving. 2023 promises some exciting new openings for our food scene. One that we’re really looking forward to is Disorder in the Northern Quarter. We’re excited because it’s on our food tour route. It promises a mixture of Japanese bar food and Mancunian music. What more do you need?
Manchester Museum opens again in February.
The Manchester museum is over 130 years old and houses some amazing artefacts of natural and and human history. Over the past years the museum has undergone a £15 million refurbishment. The museum re-opens in February. Expect a Chinese cultural gallery, a dinosaur display and a Belonging Gallery which tells the story of the first climate migrants to arrive in the area.
There are literally thousands of events going on in the city this year. Plenty to look forward to. We love hosting our food tours and showing visitors some of our favourite eating places in the city. If you’re coming to Manchester for an event we’d love to show you round. Find out more on our tours page and we’ll hopefully see you this year.
The best pizza in Manchester.
The best pizza in Manchester has been a subject of great debate amongst locals and visitors alike over the past few years. The pizza boom that the city has experienced over the past decade has brought some of the country’s finest artisans to our streets.
We’ve done the hard work and tried them all and here’s some of our favourites.
Rudy’s Pizza
Rudy’s pizza consistently rates as one of the city’s favourite pizzas. In 2015 owners Jim Organ and Kate Wilson opened their first site in Ancoats, where our canals to canapes food tour explores. Rudy’s wood fired pizzas quickly gained a reputation and people flocked to the restaurant. 7 years on and Rudy’s hasn’t just expanded across the vity but now also has branches across the country.
One of the reasons for the amazing success of Rudy’s is their attention to detail for their pizza. The neapolitan style was so strictly adhered to that even the ovens were sourced in Naples. The dough is double fermented over 24 hours giving the end result an authentic floppiness. Classic Margheritas sit alongside flavours like the Meridio which is a white pizza with butternut squash, chillis, red onion and sun dried tomatoes. Our favourite is the Cinghiale which has wild boar salami and nduja.
www.rudyspizza.co.uk
Nell’s
The biggest compliment we can pay Nell’s is that we’ve included them on some of our food tours. We were a bit nervous at first as we worried that people can easily find pizzas across the city and perhaps it’s not why you’d join a food tour. However we repeatedly get rave reviews from our guests about the pizza. New York inspired, Manchester made is their tagline. The 100% organic English flour provides a crispy base that you just don’t find on other pizzas in the city. Owner Jonny Heyes wanted to escape the strict rules of the Neaplitan pizza and create a unique Mancunian product. Over the years they’ve gone from strength to strength and have just opened up at Kampus.
Recently to celebrate 20 million downloads of one of his songs, Lewis Capaldi ate a whole Nell’s pizza. The flavour was their speciality called “Do you Roni Honey” which is a pepperoni pizza with a drizzling of honey. If you haven’t tried it yet, get down to Nell’s and give it a go.
www.nellspizza.co.uk
Crazy Pedros
Crazy Pedros is an institution in Manchester. As the name suggests not much is normal in the world of Crazy Pedro and that’s why we love it. These guys are serious about their pizzas. So much so that before they opened they tested no less than 20 different pizza doughs. The original Pedro’s opened in 2014 on Bridge street and ever since they’ve been famous for their wierd and wonderful ingredients. World famous hot dog pizza, and the KFC pizza are amongst the favourites. One thing that Pedro’s also shines at are their cocktails. The mix of great drinks, amazing pizzas and pretty low prices has made them a firm favourite across Manchester.
www.crazypedros.co.uk
Book a food tour of Manchester
We could go on forever talking about our favourite pizza joints in the city. Hopefully these 3 have given you a taste of what the city offers. One thing we know about Manchester is that we are blessed with hard working, creative chefs and owners who are opening up new venues all the time.
If you’d like to explore more of Manchester’s food scene why not get yourself on one of our award winning food tours. We explore the Northern Quarter and Ancoats over a 3 hour period. Stopping off at 6 different food vendors along the way. Perfect for friends, family and even corporate groups. You can find out more about our canals to canapes tour here.
Team Building Food Tours
As 2022 comes to a close we are yet again busy hosting team building events in Manchester.
Our team building food tours are a unique alternative to the more mudane end of year get togethers.
Why sit in a dull restaurant or bar when you could be exploring the back streets of Manchester. Visiting some of the city’s most loved food and drink establishments.
Each of our corporate tours are specifically tailored to suit your team’s needs. One of our team will meet you and discuss all of your needs. From dietary requriements to even creating tours based on certain themes.
Our corporate tour team is on hand to make sure everything runs to plan and you and your team have a memorable experience.
Why a food tour is great for team building?
Food is always a great medium for people to bond and interact. Everyone has a favourite dish or cuisine and we all have memories that are evoked when certain tastes and smells hit our senses. As such hosting a team building event based around food is always a guarantee for a memorable, enjoyable experience for your team.
We’ve all been to those events where we need to step out of our comfort zones and in reality most people either don’t show up or do the minimum we can.
With food everyone is equal. We all have likes and dislikes and everyone can fell comforatble and relaxed.
So how do we do it?
Over the past 2 years our team of food tour guides has been leading groups around Manchester city centre. Eating, drinking, sharing stories and generally having a great time.
We’ve got great relationships with local vendors, restaurants and bars and as such we can hire out places, have special dishes prepared and even host hands on experiences. We know where the best bites are and we know the people who make them.
We’ve hosted groups of all sizes and from all different types of businesses.
Anything’s possible, just get in touch with us manchester@bitestours.com.Each of our corporate tours visits 6 locally run, independent businesses. So not only are you and your team having a unique Mancunian experience but you’re also supporting the local food and drink economy.
How to reserve your team’s next outing.
