Eats

Bar Shrimp announces opening date as Higher Ground team gear up for new project

Oyster happy hour is on the way.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th September 2025

Bar Shrimp, a new seafood and cocktail bar in Manchester from the team behind Higher Ground, has officially got itself an opening date.

The hotly-anticipated newcomer will be serving cocktails, beers, and British seafood and snacks from its spot on New York Street.

As well as confirming an October launch date, the team have also shared a glimpse of the menu Mancs can expect from next month.

Bar Shrimp will be offering an Oyster Happy Hour every weekday, as well as caviar with house-cut crisps, devilled eggs, and Sussex smokie fritters.

Expect shellfish over ice, Cornish crab cocktail, bar snack classics and even beef burgers.

It comes from the same team behind Higher Ground and Flawd, headed up again by hospitality dream team Joseph Otway, Daniel Craig Martin and Richard Cossins.

And they’ve partnered with Stockport-based MasterSounds, to install a state-of-the-art custom-designed sound system with music director Lukas Stankunas curating the music programming on a weekly basis.

They say the venue will be a ‘dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening’.

Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new seafood bar, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester
The team behind award-winning Higher Ground are opening a new seafood bar, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester

Inside, it’ll be decorated with plush-red banquettes, floor-to-ceiling drapes, and table service throughout.

Matt Pazos, Bruntwood SciTech Retail Commercial Manager, said of the announcement: “Bar Shrimp promises to be another big success for the team and we can’t wait to welcome them to Faulkner House.

“This exciting new concept, bringing together the team’s exceptional knowledge and experience of food and hospitality combined with their passion for music, will further complement the thriving community in this part of Manchester city centre.”

Walk-ins will be welcomed for drinks but reservations are encouraged for dining.

Reservations for Bar Shrimp have gone live today ahead of its official launch on Wednesday 22 October – sign up HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

A long-standing Italian restaurant in Trafford has sadly announced its imminent closure

Danny Jones Danny Jones Little Italy Timperley closing permanently

Another day, another bit of unfortunate hospitality news, as long-standing Greater Manchester restaurant, Little Italy in Timperley, has announced it is closing permanently very soon.

The Trafford favourite, which has been serving locals for nearly 20 years, has informed regular diners that it will sadly be closing its doors for good, with Little Italy’s final service set for later this month.

Having earned plenty of praise in its time, including being one of the few spots in and around the Altrincham area to have won a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2015, before the borough saw its foodie boom begin.

But fast forward a decade, and the Timperley institution is yet another culinary casualty to be confirmed of late, with Little Italy sharing a tear-jerking statement online.

Sharing the tragic news on social media this Friday (5 Sep), the restaurant wrote: “To all our lovely customers, it is with a heavy heart that we share some news with you all. After over 18 years of serving you all in Timperley, we will be closing our doors later this month.

“This has not been an easy decision. Unfortunately, rising costs and a significant increase in rental [costs] have made it impossible to continue in a sustainable way. As much as we love what we do, the reality is that it has become too difficult to maintain under these circumstances.

“Over the coming weeks, we will continue to cook with love and serve with the same passion as always. We would love to see you all and share one more meal, and raise a glass together.”

Safe to say that the post has been met with an outpouring of condolences and support from natives nearby and those who have travelled to enjoy their food.

Little Italy went on to add that they will detail more about their final week of business as soon as possible.

They can’t be accused of not keeping up with times and not trying to promote via social media either, as they small family-run team – headed up by Sam Cauchi, who bought the site back in 2008 – have always given things a go besides the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.

Being one of many saddened customers to respond underneath the announcement, we couldn’t possibly sum up things better than local Vanessa Nice, who said: “Look at all these amazing comments – you certainly made your mark as a home from home for the residents of Timperley.

“The end of an era will always be sad, but sometimes life and families have to move on.”

As for Cauchi and co., they signed off by simply adding: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, kindness and friendship over the years. Timperley has been our home, and you have all been our family.

“Love from all the team at Little Italy.”

It goes without saying that we’re gutted for the gang and our thoughts are with everyone involved at this difficult time. For now, we can only say thank you to the countless Greater Manchester locations that continue to fall foul in the face of the rising pressures industry-wide. Case and point…

Award-winning chippy in Prestwich announces heartbreaking restaurant closure

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Featured Images — Little Italy Timperley (via Facebook)

Eats

Award-winning chippy in Prestwich announces heartbreaking restaurant closure

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Award-winning chippy in Prestwich announces heartbreaking restaurant closure

Chips @ No. 8, a chippy in Prestwich that’s lauded as one of the best in the UK, has announced the sad closure of its restaurant.

The award-winning takeaway made some big moves last year, expanding into the unit next door so that they could comfortable double their space downstairs and add a restaurant upstairs.

The restaurant was a brand-new concept for the much-loved Prestwich chippy, serving a seafood-focused menu that wasn’t necessarily all about the fryer.

But sadly, Chips @ No. 8 has announced that the restaurant element of its business, Loft @ No. 8, has closed for good.

They wrote that the economic climate and the huge amount of choice in Prestwich has left them struggling to fill seats in the chippy restaurant.

The good news is that the fish and chip shop itself remains open for business and thriving, and customers will be able to use the former restaurant space to eat their takeaway in.

The bar downstairs also remains open for business for a cheeky pint or glass of wine while you wait for your order.

Award-winning chippy in Prestwich announces heartbreaking restaurant closure
The Loft @ No. 8 is closing. Credit: The Manc Group
Chips @ No 8 in Prestwich
Curry sauce on a Chips @ No 8 chippy tea. Credit: The Manc Group

In a statement, Chips @ No. 8 said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Loft.

“With so many great places to eat in Prestwich, and the economic climate being what it is, we have struggled recently to fill enough seats to continue to make it a financially viable side to our business.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support whilst we were open, the team for their efforts, in particular, Craig, the creator of the delicious food that we had on offer up there.

“Chips @ No.8 remains open as normal and going forward, we are opening up the space upstairs for additional casual seating for the takeaway.

“The bar will remain open so you can still enjoy a pint or a glass of wine with your fish & chips, even if it is out of a box! We hope to see you soon!”

Go show the takeaway some support when you can.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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