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Independent restaurant scene 'cooking' at 55 King Street

A string of ambitious, authentic restaurateurs have taken over 13,000 sq ft collectively of high profile food and beverage units in Manchester city centre in recent months sending a positive message to the sector and the local community.

Thai Kitchen No 6 is the latest to join a diverse range of independent restaurant businesses in 55 King Street, owned and managed by Orbit Developments.

Close by is Kala Bistro, famously launched by chef Gary Usher raising £100,000 worth of crowdfunded cash in just 11 hours – the fastest round of fund-raising ever for a restaurant business.

Early reviews of Thai Kitchen No 6 bode well for the future, noting the roots of the family tree spreading right across the restaurant floor and welcoming its ‘delightfully old-fashioned’ laminated menu, with pictures of every dish.

Channel 4 will shine a spotlight on Gary Usher this Autumn in a documentary focusing on Gary’s latest venture – Pinion in Prescot – but will further underpin his passion for his industry and his ability to drive massive support for the creation of new restaurants.

Kala is fronted by huge double-height windows on 55 King Street, through which passers-by can view the chefs at the pastry section in action. Spacious bar seating for 10 is available downstairs by the entrance, while the 65-cover restaurant, with emerald-green banquettes and prints by local artist Chris Cyprus, continues upstairs.

It all reflects a continuing focus on exciting new restaurant concepts in Manchester with both fresh faced and established players looking to realise their own foodie ambitions in the city centre.

Six by Nico has recently launched in the old Roc & Rye venue in Spring Gardens (new six course menu every six weeks from the innovative Nico Simeone) and the Stock Exchange Hotel will give Tom Kerridge his first taste of Manchester this Autumn.

Mark Hanna, Senior Retail Leasing Surveyor for Orbit Developments, said that the iconic 55 King Street building was a great home for enterprising restaurant brands with a real point of difference.

He commented: “Authentic experience is at the heart of all our customers in this part of town. It is seeing a growth in traffic thanks to its location and that special, personalised experience that only smaller, independently owned and run businesses can deliver. We wish Kala and all the brands in 55 King Street continued success.”

The street occupies a prominent position amid the hustle and bustle of Manchester’s central business district. The location has excellent connections for shoppers in the city’s main retail areas on St Ann’s Square and The Arndale Centre on Market Street, which are only a few minutes’ walk away.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Souter .