Two more restaurants confirmed at Manchester’s University Green development

Indian street food brand Mowgli and ethical eatery Friska are the latest names confirmed for the University Green development in Manchester.

Mowgli was founded in Liverpool four years ago by barrister, food writer and Indian cookery teacher Nisha Katona.

The company, which already operates a busy restaurant in the city at the Corn Exchange, has been seeking another site in Manchester as part of its ongoing expansion strategy.

Mowgli’s 100-seater University Green venue will open in October.

Nisha Katona said: “Mowgli is all about the smash and grab of fresh, light zingy Indian food. This makes it a perfect fit for the pace and exacting appetites of the university students and staff.

“I’m designing this Mowgli to feel light, airy, twinkling and organic. In my mind I see Apple shop meets Indian courtyard… quite an exciting challenge. I spent my student years in Manchester as an Afflecks girl.”

She added: “It makes me incredibly proud to be able to feed the city that was so formative in my youth, a city I love.”

Independent chain Friska, meanwhile, will launch at University Green in September. The company is headquartered in Bristol but currently operates two sites in Manchester – one at the Bright Building, opened in 2017, another another launched last month on St Peter’s Square.

Friska’s latest restaurant will have space for 70 guests.

Ed Brown, co-founder of Friska, commented: “We are delighted to be opening up in University Green because it’s a site we looked at a long time ago when it was still in the early planning stages with Bruntwood, so it’s amazing to have seen it through the construction process to completion.

“This will be our third site in Manchester and hopefully one of many more in this great city.”

He continued: “This last year has been amazing for us following the opening of our first restaurant in Manchester in the Bright Building. Its huge success has fuelled our expansion plans here and we can’t wait now to bring our great food, hospitality and ethical outlook to the students, academics and residents of the Oxford Road Corridor.”

Other businesses signed up at University Green include bookshop Blackwell’s, design retailer Utility, coffee house Takk, restaurant and bar Loungers, burger chain Five Guys, supermarket brand Co-op Food and sandwich shop Pret A Manger.

Property company Bruntwood is delivering the retail and leisure development in partnership with the University of Manchester.

It is part of the university’s campus masterplan, located alongside Alliance Manchester Business School, and opens later this year.

Bruntwood’s head of retail and leisure leasing, Andrea George, said: “Mowgli and Friska are a perfect fit for what we are creating at University Green.

“They are both relatively new to Manchester, but what they offer has been so well received that I’m in no doubt that they will replicate their success in this vibrant part of the city.

University Green is now 75% pre-let.

Metis Real Estate Advisors acted for Bruntwood in the deals with Mowgli and Friska.

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