Hugely popular NYC-inspired pizza parlour Nell’s Pizza is finally bringing its “substantial pizza slices” back to the Northern Quarter this week.
The “NYC-inspired, MCR made” eatery – famous for its 22″ pizza slices – has become a firm favourite of city centre foodies since arriving at Common last year, but has unfortunately been temporarily closed for the past few months.
The owners of Common and Nell’s Pizza made the difficult decision to close following the announcement of England’s third national lockdown back at the start of January.
This decision was taken primarily due to declining footfall in the city centre.
Explaining the choice to shut up shop in a post to social media, Common said: “Our hand has been forced by the new government grants that are contingent on sites closing [and] sadly it now makes more sense for us to furlough staff and close, [rather] than stay open and plod on in a ghost town city centre.
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“After 16 years in the game on Edge Street, this will be our longest closure and it is highly gutting [but] lots of other businesses are in the same boat as us so please support where you can if any of your local neighbourhood pivot experts are staying open / operating online / delivering etc”.
While the doors to Common may have been closed, Nell’s Pizza has remained open for takeaway services at The Beagle in Chorlton throughout the duration of the current lockdown.
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But is now set to return to its original Northern Quarter hub from this Thursday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMwddmMl0L7/
Both Common and Nell’s Pizza will be coming “back in style” as a takeaway service this Thursday, and will be open every Thursday – Saturday, from 4pm – 9pm for the next two weeks, before reopening for outdoor hospitality from 12th April, at the earliest.
Advanced bookings from 12th April onwards are currently not being accepted, as Common will instead be operating on a first-come-first-served / walk-in basis.
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
Bangkok Diners Club moves out of Ancoats just months after Michelin Guide win
Daisy Jackson
Bangkok Diners Club, the critically-acclaimed restaurant above the Edinburgh Castle pub, has closed its restaurant space.
The Thai restaurant was added to the Michelin Guide last October, not long after taking over the upstairs of the popular pub.
It also received a rave review in The Guardian from restaurant critic Grace Dent, who said it would be ‘one of Manchester’s hottest dining tickets’.
But now Bangkok Diners Club has decided its time in Ancoats is up, and has closed its beautiful restaurant space with immediate effect.
In an email sent to customers with reservations, they wrote that Bangkok Diners Club ‘sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle’.
Owners and husband-and-wife team Ben and Bo Humpheys aren’t leaving things there though, announcing plans to move into the Exhibition food hall on Peter Street.
Co-owner Ben Humphreys outside Bangkok Diners Club. Credit: The Manc GroupThe food earned them a place in the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
They’ll be joining MoreJoy and pasta concept Anatra in the space, but bidding farewell to their own dedicated restaurant for now.
The email sent to customers reads: “We have just noticed that the system has allowed you to make a reservation during a time that we are closed. We apologise that this has happened.
“Ben and Bo are cooking at Exhibition during 2026 and Bangkok Diners Club sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle.
“Sincerest apologies for all the inconvenience caused.”
Emily Sergeant -
23rd March 2021 
