One of the north’s most beloved independent burger chains has opened a new city centre site and expanded its delivery offering across Manchester today.
Fat Hippo – a group of independent burger joints founded in the North East, before opening up in Sheffield, Nottingham, and Leeds – specialises in the best burgers, loaded fries and more “good old fashioned, roll up your sleeves and get it all over your face” food.
The company’s brand new Manchester site has arrived at Lane 7 in Great Northern for takeaway from today.
But as all hospitality businesses are currently closed, with the exception of takeaway services, during England’s third national lockdown, the group is working closely with Deliveroo and has launched exclusively on the platform in Manchester, allowing customers the chance to enjoy Fat Hippo’s signature burgers in the comfort of their own home.
So what can Manchester’s foodies expect then?
Well, alongside an extensive menu of their signature beef and boneless buttermilk chicken patties – that come with free fries as standard – Fat Hippo Manchester will also have a carefully-designed range of vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options available.
The family-friendly burger joint is also famed for its quality ingredients and quirky flavours.
Burgers like the PB & J – a beef burger topped with peanut butter and bacon jam – is undoubtedly one of the fan favourites, and will be on the Manchester menu to try out, alongside all the classics and a great-value kids menu too.
This will be the group’s second venture with Lane 7, with their successful Fat Hippo S1 site already based in the leisure brand’s complex in Sheffield.
And as well as the several other sites in North East, Nottingham, Leeds and now Manchester, Fat Hippo also has exciting plans to continue growing, with further locations being established across the country.
Fat Hippo Fleet also travels all over the UK, bringing its renowned burgers to thousands of national events.
Speaking on the launch of Fat Hippo Manchester, Michael Phillips – who founded Fat Hippo in the North East in 2010 – said: “The last year has been difficult for everyone, especially the hospitality sector, but we just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work with Lane 7 again and bring Fat Hippo to the North West.
“Great Northern is the perfect location for us to be based and we can’t wait for the people of Manchester to enjoy the good kind of gluttony”.
Michael Johnson – Operations Manager at Fat Hippo – added: “It’s been an incredible ride over the last ten years feeding the ever-growing herd of burger lovers, and now we can’t wait to bring the best burgers to Manchester”.
Although only open for takeaway services for the time being, Fat Hippo Manchester will open for dine in once restrictions have eased.
You can find the full Fat Hippo menu and place your orders on Deliveroo here.
Make sure you also follow Fat Hippo’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for access to exclusive competitions, sneak peeks and to stay in the loop with this next chapter of its burger journey.
Eats
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.”
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2021 
