The huge group of siblings behind two of Manchester’s best drinks brands are teaming up to open a new bar, with 11 Central set to launch in Salford very soon.
The bar will form part of the new Central Bay site at MediaCityUK and comes from the teams behind Seven Brothers Brewery and the Sisters Distillery.
11 Central will take its name from the fact that all 11 siblings are joining forces to create a new watering hole for Salford.
The bar will have a mix of food, drink, live music, bar games and waterside views across a 2000sq ft terrace.
On the menu you will, of course, find Seven Brothers Brewery bees, brewed just a few miles away near where the McAvoy brothers – Guy, Keith, Luke, Daniel, Nathan, Kit, and Greg – were raised.
There’ll be a microbrewery on site too so that customers can enjoy exclusive limited-edition beers made just metres from the bar.
The four sisters behind the Sisters Distillery will be bringing their full range of award-winning flavoured gins, plus artisan tonics, to the menu too.
There’ll be distilling sessions at 11 Central for gin enthusiasts who want to learn the craft of making gin.
Seven Brothers was founded in 2014 after the McAvoy siblings were inspired by their dad’s home-brewing in their cellar at home (how that man had time for inspiring hobbies while raising 11 children is a miracle).
Seven Brothers Brewing Co was founded by seven brothers.
Since then, they’ve gone on to open bars and beer houses at Middlewood Locks and MediaCityUK in Salford, in Ancoats and in Liverpool, as well as at Manchester Airport’s new T2 Departure Lounge.
Keith McAvoy, CEO of Seven Brothers Brewing Co, said: “We’ve been excited to open our doors at 11 Central since announcing our plans earlier this summer, and we’re proud to add another great venue to our list of beerhouses and bars that give drinkers the chance to experience SEVEN BRO7HERS beer and now SISTERS gin all in one place.
“With this new venue we’re combining a mainstream beer offering alongside craftsmanship from our brewery and gin distilleries and offering an unexpected take on drinks classics, which will hopefully be something that visitors come back to us for time and time again.
“The venue offers more than just drinks and food and is a great entertainment space with music and acts as well as a huge terrace that’s perfect for grabbing the last few bits of sunshine this year!
“We’re also able to offer a gin tasting experience at our new venue, that makes this bar more than just a destination for an after work drink or a place to grab a cocktail, and instead those that want to understand how we create and blend flavours can take the gin experience on site and explore gin with our expert team.”
Stephen Wild, MediaCity Managing Director said: “11 Central is a fantastic addition to our new independent food and drink destination Central Bay and we couldn’t be more proud to see Seven Bro7hers’ successful expansion journey within MediaCity.
“Starting out with the original tap room just off Broadway, they then launched a thriving beerhouse in the heart of MediaCity and now this wonderful new microbrewery, gin bar and pub concept for the people of Salford to enjoy.”
11 Central will open on Friday 17 November with dancers, live music, magic, and DJs across its launch weekend on the Saturday and Sunday.
They’ll give away 150 free drinks on Friday to the first 150 people to sign up and register their interest at 11central.co.uk.
Everyone who signs up will also be entered in to a competition to win a £50 bar tab, a meal for two and a gin experience for two as part of the 11 Central launch celebrations.
Award-winning Northern Quarter cafe and brunch spot announces shock closure
Daisy Jackson
Another Heart to Feed, an award-winning coffee shop and brunch favourite in the Northern Quarter, has stunned Mancs with the news of their closure.
The popular spot on Hilton Street has been operating in the heart of the neighbourhood since 2020, serving dishes like Turkish eggs, breakfast buns, and French toast.
By night, it transformed into a natural wine bar, with great cocktails too.
Before it moved to the Northern Quarter, Another Heart to Feed started life as a cosy Australian-style cafe over on Chapel Street in Salford.
It’s been a much-loved name on the city’s brunch circuit and last year was crowned Coffee Shop of the Year at the Manchester Food and Drink Awards.
But despite all that success, and regularly having queues around the block, Another Heart to Feed is closing for good.
They said they ‘have not been immune’ to the challenges that have been beating the hospitality industry to a pulp, despite appearing to be a real local success story.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Another Heart to Feed said: “Rather than run a risk of letting our brilliant staff and suppliers down we have decided to call it a day.”
The team thanked everyone who has visited the cafe over the years, as well as the past and present team.
Another Heart to Feed in the Northern QuarterAs well as coffee, Another Heart to Feed was known for its wines
They then announced that a new operator is already teed up to move into the space.
Another Heart to Feed’s full statement reads: “Unfortunately, we have to announce that Another Heart to Feed will be no longer operating in the Northern Quarter as of the 1st of September.
“The past 18 months have been incredibly tough. We have not been immune to the many real challenges that hospitality businesses are facing at the moment and rather than run a risk of letting our brilliant staff and suppliers down we have decided to call it a day.
“We want to thank everyone who has visited us over the years, whether that was in the early days in Salford, on Burton Road in Didsbury or at our place in the Northern Quarter. It’s been so great being involved in a place that has brought people together the way AHTF has.
“To our team, past and present, thank you so much for all your hard work. You were the essence of the business and it was a pleasure to work with you.
“A new operator will be moving into the site and we wish them every success, please go and support them!”
Another Deansgate Square restaurant closes as Salvi’s shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Salvi’s has announced the closure of one of its restaurants, in another blow for Deansgate Square.
The much-loved, decades-old Italian restaurant group opened the sprawling 3,000 sq ft restaurant in the luxury skyscraper neighbourhood back in 2022.
While its other sites around town have always been cosy, traditional trattorias, Salvi’s went for a more lavish, luxury and modern touch in Deansgate Square.
It was nestled down beneath the city’s swankiest apartments and was split into a heated drinks terrace, elegant restaurant space, Italian deli, bar, and private dining room.
But now, Salvi’s has announced the closure of its Deansgate Square restaurant.
The Italian spot has shut down with immediate effect, teasing that it’s going to ‘make way for an exciting new concept in Manchester’.
All reservations for Deansgate Square will be honoured at their other, original site at the Corn Exchange.
Salvi’s wrote in a statement on Instagram: “When one door closes, another opens… From tonight Salvi’s Deansgate Square is saying ciao to make way for an exciting new concept in Manchester!
“You can still get your Salvi’s fix at the Corn Exchange. All bookings will be honoured there and we’ll be in touch soon if you’ve got a reservation with us.
Salvi’s in Deansgate Square has shut downIt’s the second restaurant closure at Deansgate Square in as many months
“Grazie Mille a tutti.”
One person commented: “So sad to hear but also excited to hear that there is something to look forward to.”
Another said: “Only there last night, cant believe that.”
And someone else simply wrote: “I’m starting a protest.”
This is the second restaurant closure at Deansgate Square in as many months – back in June, critically-acclaimed Medlock Canteen also shut down for good.
Medlock Canteen wrote: “With heavy hearts, we’re announcing the closure of Medlock Canteen. When we opened our doors 18 months ago, our dream was simple: to build a neighbourhood spot where everyone felt welcome, serving proper good food you know, love and can’t wait to eat.
“But the current climate has made that dream a tough one to sustain. Rising costs, increased taxes, and tighter spending have created challenges we’ve fought hard to overcome but, sadly, they’re ones we just can’t compete with.
“We’re proud to say our amazing team has been looked after, with payroll up to date and everyone offered roles elsewhere in our family of venues. If you’ve got opportunities going, drop us a message – we’d love to pass them on to anyone ready for their next chapter.”
Daisy Jackson -
31st October 2023 
