One of the Northern Quarter’s staple bars and restaurants has announced its closure today.
Cottonopolis, which has sat on the corner of Newton Street and Dale Street since 2015, will not reopen after its busy festive period, owners have confirmed.
The Asian-inspired restaurant and bar has already shut its doors for good – but there’s a new concept planned for the space.
The historic Grade II-listed site will undergo a full renovation and relaunch with a brand new food and drink offering in early 2024.
Owners Nick and Hayley Muir have made the decision to close Cottonopolis after eight years, believing it has ‘reached the end of its journey in its current guise’.
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They say the restaurant, which served Japanese food and high-end cocktails, will be replaced by something ‘something just as fresh’.
That 200-year-old pub had been derelict for years before Nick and Hayley took it on and transformed it into what’s already been recognised as one of the best gastropubs in the UK.
They’ve yet to confirm what direction the Cottonopolis site will go in, but are promising an ‘exciting new concept.
Cottonopolis in Manchester’s Northern Quarter has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc GroupCottonopolis in Manchester’s Northern Quarter has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Nick Muir, director, said: “Cottonopolis has become known as a staple part of the Northern Quarter bar and restaurant scene, we believe we’ve reached the end of our journey in its current guise.
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“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.
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.
You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.
With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.
But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.
To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.
If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.
The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.
Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.
Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK
If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.
“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd January 2024 
