‘Beloved’ Asian-inspired Manchester restaurant closes to make room for new venue
Cottonopolis, the Asian-inspired restaurant and bar based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter has announced its permanent closure after eight successful years, to make way for an ‘exciting’ new concept.
The venue will not reopen as Cottonopolis in 2024, but instead owners, Nick and Hayley Muir have confirmed there are already plans underway to launch a new brand with a fresh fit-out and entirely new food & drink offering in the Grade II listed building in early 2024.
Cottonopolis initially launched in the historic building in the NQ in November 2015, serving Japanese food and cocktails, but after careful consideration the founders made the decision to close the ‘much-loved’ Cottonopolis on a high after a busy festive period.
Director Nick Muir commented “Cottonopolis has become known as a staple part of the Northern Quarter bar & restaurant scene, we believe we’ve reached the end of our journey in its current guise.
“It’s been great, we’ve thrown some great parties, hosted weddings and worked with fantastic brands but we want to do something just as fresh. Like when it first came onto the NQ scene. It feels like the right time to bring an exciting new concept.

“We’ve already been hard at work with our team behind the scenes to develop our next adventure, which will bring a new quality place to eat and drink to the NQ, with the same exceptional standards we’ve become known for at Edinburgh Castle.
“We’d like to thank all of our guests for their loyalty over the last eight years, and we’re looking forward to sharing the next part of our journey with you.”
Further details will be revealed later this month, with plans to reopen to the public early 2024.
Nick and Hayley Muir are also the directors behind the Edinburgh Castle pub on Blossom Street, Ancoats. They transformed the derelict 200-year-old pub in Ancoats, building up its reputation for exceptional food & drink, resulting in the pub recently being named as “one of the best gastropubs in the UK”.
Edinburgh Castle is the first Manchester city centre venue to make it into the shortlist for the Estrella Damn Top 50 Gastropubs, which sees members within the hospitality industry including top chefs and food writers vote for their best places to eat. The official rankings will be revealed at an official ceremony.
By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily
- Add me on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date
- And follow Bdaily on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
- Submit press releases to editor@bdaily.co.uk for consideration.
Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →
Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.
Why global conflict is a cyber risk for UK SMEs
Improving safety and standards in construction
From economic engine to community ecosystem
Improving North East transport will improve lives
Unlocking investment potential before year end
Give us certainty to deliver better homes
Hormuz: Safe passage - not insurance - the issue
Don't get caught out by employment law change
When literacy thrives, our businesses thrive too
Building a more diverse construction sector
The value of using data like a Premier League club
Raising the bar to boost North East growth