Manchester culinary scene ‘thriving’ as restaurant unit count surpasses 150

There are now more than 150 restaurant units in Manchester, according to a new report, with upmarket and casual dining operators doubling their supply during the last five years.

Data analysed by real estate advisory firm Savills has shown that, since the end of 2012, 30 new brands in these two restaurant categories have launched in the city.

Of that number, 14 have arrived in Manchester since the beginning of 2016 with El Gato Negro, Grafene and Busaba among the new arrivals.

Savills research also found that there are now more than 540 leisure units in Manchester, including bars, restaurants, cafes, cinemas and other entertainment-led venues.

In total, 70 new leisure sector operators have set up shop in the city since 2012, 26 of which opened this year.

As a result of the uptick, top rents in prime flagship locations rose to £40-50 per sq ft in Q3 2016, up from £30-£40 per sq ft five years ago.

Savills’ retail and leisure director, John Agnew, said: “Manchester continues to be a major dining and leisure destination, and the city’s offer has grown significantly in recent years.

“Our analysis shows that aspirational brands feel at home in Manchester, with many new operators arriving to offer both casual dining and more upmarket experiences.”

He added: “There is truly something to suit every wallet and taste.”

Deansgate, Spinningfields, the Corn Exchange, King Street and Piccadilly are among the most attractive areas of the city for large restaurant operators, according to Savills, while the Northern Quarter remains the preferred location for independent firms.

Tom Whittington, Savills’ retail research director, commented: “We noted in 2015 that Manchester’s diners were increasingly looking to try new brands and culinary experiences.

“The figures this year indicate that numerous restaurant operators believe this trend is set to continue. Whilst it is true that some operators have found the city challenging, this is largely due to issues with their individual locations or size of units.”

He continued: “Overall, Manchester’s dining and leisure scene is thriving.”