‘Historic’ Salford pub announces new independent ownership and plans to grow

Historic Salford pub, The Black Friar, has announced that full control of the venue will be handed over to the team who have operated it for the last two years, making it one of the only independently owned pubs in Manchester.

Salboy & DOMIS, the teams which originally redeveloped the iconic pub, have now handed over full ownership to previous Managing Director, Neil Burke, who has led the Black Friar to success over the last two years, with the support of his head chef Ben Chaplin.

The historic pub has gone from strength-to-strength under Neil’s leadership, and after a successful two years, the pub now employs 45 local staff and has doubled its weekly covers from 700 to 1,500 a week since the pandemic.

In 2021, the pub reopened after two decades and a £1.4m restoration, as part of the Local Blackfriars development in Salford. Developer Salboy and the construction company DOMIS renovated the Grade II listed building as part of the residential development, bringing in Neil as a hospitality operator to advise on the pub fit-out, and operate the business once open.

As part of the build, The Black Friar was extended to create a modern glass restaurant with an open kitchen, private dining room and a dining courtyard, as well as a traditional pub area.

From day one, the pub attracted Chef Ben Chaplin (previously 20 Stories) to head up the kitchen and curate bespoke seasonal menus which rotate throughout the year. Since opening, the pub has had rave reviews including those by food critic Jay Rayner which describes the food as “big, bullish, and beautiful”.

Under the new ownership, Neil Burke, plans to expand the brand with the ambition of redeveloping and bringing other iconic and landmark pubs back to life around the north through sister company “Bigger Boat Hospitality”, with the aims to grow popular catering and off site events arm of the business.

Neil Burke, Owner of the Black Friar, commented: “It’s a dream to take over the ownership of the Black Friar and take the pub to the next level. Without the support of DOMIS and Salboy in seeing us through the notoriously difficult first 12 months of business, we would not be here standing proud. I can not thank them enough for all they have done.

“When the team asked me to work with them to open the pub it was my ambition to create an inclusive space which became known as one of the best pubs in Manchester, now it’s about the future, growing on what we have already created, not sitting still and continuing to love our guests.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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