Manchester’s restaurant offer is becoming increasingly cosmopolitan, with international entrants gaining significant traction. Around a third of the new restaurants are 'aspirational' rather than mass market – proof that diners are developing more sophisticated eating habits and are willing to increase their spend per transaction.

Some 30 new restaurant multiple brands have opened in the city since 2011 and Manchester now has 140 restaurant units, with 22 per cent of these occupied by new entrants, including Hawksmoor, Burger & Lobster and Iberica. And there are more to come: upon its completion later this year, the redeveloped Corn Exchange will be home to a boutique hotel and a further 13 restaurant brands, eight of which are new to Manchester including Pho and Wahaca.

Among the most attractive locations for major restaurant operators are Deansgate, Corn Exchange, Spinningfields and King Street, while independents continue to favour the Northern Quarter. Improvements to other city centre zones such as Peter Street, Oxford Road and Piccadilly Gardens have also resulted in some players taking multiple units. Burger chain Byron, for example, now has restaurants in Deansgate, Piccadilly Gardens and Corn Exchange.

Increased demand for restaurant space has pushed top rents in prime flagship locations to £40-£50 per sq ft (£431-£538 per sq m) in Q3 2015 compared with £30-£40 per sq ft (£323-£431 per sq m) in Q4 2011. For smaller strategic sites, rents in excess of £60 per sq ft (£646 per sq m) are now achievable.

Further information

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