Renowned Manchester Chef Shaun Moffat will take the lead as Chef Patron of Winsome Restaurant this Spring. Housed on Princess street (adjoining the Whitworth Locke Hotel) Winsome will provide Northern Hospitality and thoughtful British cooking to this corner of Manchester.

Moffat will bring his focus on local and seasonal produce to deliver a regularly changing food showcasing the very best of ingredients with a comforting familiarity and a touch of Moffat’s now famous flair.

Cutting his teeth at the likes of Manteca, Hix and St.Leonards, Moffat has now become a real star of Manchester hospitality, most recently picking up the accolades of Manchester Chef of the Year and entering the Top 50 Gastro Pubs. Opening of his own venture has been much anticipated; he comments, “Opening the doors will be a big moment in my career, I am truly excited to share Winsome with the people of Manchester”.

The drinks programme at Winsome will be led by none other than Tom Fastiggi, previously of SCHOFIELDS bar. There will be a selection of hotel classics and familiar drinks alongside a strong no and low selection and some of Fastiggi’s own creations. Wine will also be a focus with a Sommelier served & curated list focusing primarily on old world wines delivered again with Winsome’s laidback personality and flair.

Fastiggi and the Winsome team will also take over Whitworth Locke’s Atrium hotel bar. Providing a space for diners, hotel guests and passers by to enjoy memorable bar food paired with delicious cocktails in the quaint setting of the Locke’s glass atrium. “The Atrium space truly gives a unique feel to this bar. The drinks will be familiar and a warm welcome will await all guests. It’s a great new addition to Manchester’s hospitality scene”, added Tom Fastiggi.

Completing the team will be Owain Williams; founder of the renowned Belzan in Liverpool, Madre and Manchester’s Medlock Canteen amongst other notable hospitality venues across the Northwest.

House of Social, a collection of independent kitchens, will open in the First Street area of Manchester later this year. Showcasing a range of both home grown talent and incoming operators, this exciting new venue, founded by Vita Group, spans 12,000 square feet of brand new dining and drinking space, over two design-led levels.

Developed by Jake Atkinson, the former operations manager of the wildy successful Mackie Mayor, The Picturedrome and Altrincham Market, House of Social will host five kitchens tucked between statement arched windows. Jake has spent a year building a brand new collective of operators, with some much loved regional brands bringing new ideas to the table as well as a cult London outfit soon to be announced.

Just steps away from cultural hotspot HOME theatre, and a few minutes walk from both Oxford Road and Deansgate-Castlefield stations, this launch will open up a brand new prime destination not only for a great night out but also to grab breakfast on the go, linger for hours having drinks at the house bar, or sample the many exciting new lunch time options during office breaks. Nestled in the middle of the First Street neighbourhood, it’s an ideal spot to meet friends for pre-theatre dinner or take guests visiting on business. Those living upstairs, in the brand new student accommodation, will get a taste of the renowned, diverse food and drink scene of the city, quite literally on their doorstep.

The five independent kitchens at House of Social will be revealed in the upcoming months. Locals and visitors alike can expect a variety of vendors serving pizza to dumplings; all from growing businesses excited to get stuck into Manchester’s thriving hospitality scene.

Jake said of plans; “It’s such an untapped location, we’ve got this beautiful building with loads of natural light from soaring arched windows and also some gorgeous interior details with that curving staircase - it’s going to have so much character. We’ve tried to match that with the traders we’re working with - we’ve got some big names and some big personalities coming along - they’re creating menus which work in a food hall setting but with so much more attention to detail than anything I've seen before in this space. The offerings will really complement each other but I also think the traders are going to gel well too. I just can’t wait to get started.’

House of Social is set to open in Summer 2025.

Modern steakhouse and eatery, Meatworks, is set to open its first restaurant at Circle Square, Oxford Road on 5th February. With a menu boasting steak house classics, bold small plates and iconic burgers, the UK’s first Meatworks joins the growing community of hospitality innovators at Circle Square.

The burger specialists, who are also the team behind the national smash burger chain Boo and Midlands based butchery Halal Editions, have a passion for working with the highest quality suppliers of Irish, grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef, creating a range of the tastiest dishes.

The 52 cover restaurant will bring a cool and casual new dining space to Manchester with the venue designed to create a relaxed experience whilst retaining the character of the space with a stripped back look that embraces the raw materials and modern architecture.

The restaurant will welcome guests all day long from quick lunches to big dinners. Lunchtime value specials will include smash burger and fries for just £10. Whilst the restaurant is alcohol-free, the menu includes an array of mocktails, such as their Kiwi Mojito, Yuzu & Basil and Lychee and Lemongrass mocktail, providing a unique spin on classic cocktail recipes alongside new flavours. There is also a tasty plant-based dish available for meat-free guests.