One of TV’s most recognisable chefs, Gino D’Acampo, has revealed plans to open a new ‘premium’ Italian restaurant in Manchester.
The chef will be staying in the same spot where his team currently operate the First Street Bar & Kitchen brand, but giving it an £800k refurbishment and rebrand.
The restaurant, at the Innside by Melia Manchester hotel, will soon operate under the name ‘Gino D’Acampo’.
The opening of Gino D’Acampo follows success for the same restaurant brand in Newcastle, Liverpool, London and Leeds, with three further UK sites planned for 2024.
He’s promising that the space will be chic and contemporary with ‘Gino’s signature feature wallpaper’ plus marble table tops, brass finishes, and space for 200 diners across the open-plan restaurant and bar.
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The restaurant’s transformation into Gino D’Acampo will include a new bar area with an island cocktail bar, and its own entrance and reception area, with a two-tier terrace.
It’s located in the First Street area, also home to HOME, Junkyard Golf, Bunny Jackson’s and the Gasworks Brew Bar.
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Phase two of the site’s makeover will see the 80-seat alfresco drinking and dining area turned into an all-weather terrace.
Dishes on the menu will include classic Italian plates and expert cocktails, with Italian wines and artisan beers.
Gino D’Acampo LiverpoolInside the Leeds branch of Gino D’Acampo as chef announces new Manchester restaurantFood at Gino D’Acampo in LeedsFood at Gino D’Acampo in Leeds
Speaking on the announcement, Gino D’Acampo said: “I couldn’t be more pleased to announce plans for Gino D’Acampo at INNSiDE Manchester.
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“I have a long relationship with the city having opened one of my first restaurants here almost ten years ago and I’m delighted to return to the heart of Manchester, as planned.
“It has always been our intention to open a Gino here, at the beautiful INNSiDE Manchester hotel, and I’m looking forward to launching this early next year.
“The First Street area combines all that I love about Manchester – ease of reach to cool music venues, art, and culture. As an Italian with a love for alfresco dining, I’m looking forward to enjoying a real Neapolitan pizza and negroni (or two) on the terrace this summer. I hope to see you there.”
Garry Fortune, UK Director of Operations at Meliá Hotels International, added: “Gino and his team are a trusted and much respected partner with a proven track record for delivering on performance. We are thrilled to continue our work together with the opening of Gino D’Acampo Manchester, our third collaboration in the North.”
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 -
21st December 2023 
