Rigatoni’s, the new pasta restaurants born from the Sud rebrand, has announced the closure of one of its sites.
The business formerly known as Sugo, and latterly as Sud, confirmed today that its Sale restaurant is closing with immediate effect.
Sud Pasta founders Michael and Alex de Martiis decided to rebrand the restaurants as Rigatoni’s in a bid to create a ‘sustainable business’ that would stand the test of time.
With Rigatoni’s, they created a menu of hearty pasta dishes which were priced from just £7.50, each featuring pasta made fresh on site daily.
All four Sud Pasta sites – Ancoats, Altrincham, Sale and Exhibition, took on the new brand at the start of this year.
But already, and sadly, the Sale restaurant is no more.
Rigatoni’s wrote that they had been unable to ‘navigate our way through those financial challenges’ that are facing the entire hospitality industry.
In their statement they also urged customers to continue supporting the other local independents that are still trading from Stanley Square.
Rigatoni’s Sale posted today: “Dear valued customers and community. It is with a genuinely heavy heart that we announce the closure of our restaurant in Sale with immediate effect.
Rigatoni’s is closing its Sale restaurant
“We want to express our deepest gratitude for your support in Sale since 2022. This decision we hope you will understand, was not an easy one.
“It is no secret that the hospitality industry, like many others, has faced huge challenges in recent times. Sadly, specifically in Sale and despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to navigate our way through those financial challenges. Please continue to support your local businesses!
“As we say goodbye to Sale, we want to take a moment to acknowledge our dedicated staff, who have worked tirelessly. Their passion and hard work have been the backbone of our restaurant in Sale.
“You can continue to enjoy Rigatoni’s at our restaurants in Altrincham & Ancoats, as well as our kitchen at Exhibition in the city centre. And you don’t need us to tell you there’s a cracking set of shops, bars and restaurants in Stanley Square that we will continue to support.
“Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our journey; we will greatly miss serving the Sale community.
Hotel Chocolat to open viral chocolate Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hotel Chocolat is set to open a Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester city centre, and it’ll be absolute paradise for chocolate lovers.
The popular chocolate shop, which has stores across the UK selling delicious chocolate bars, boxes and more, is now preparing to branch out in town.
Hotel Chocolat then hit a new level of fame with its Velvetiser, an invention that creates velvety smooth hot drinks at the touch of a button.
They’ve been so popular, Hotel Chocolat is now opening Velvetiser Cafes across the UK – and Manchester is up next.
If it follows in the footsteps of the Meadowhall cafe in Sheffield, visitors will be able to customise their perfect hot chocolate from thousands of combinations.
There are 18 flavours, different milks, and a whole variety of toppings available.
Then you drink can be served hot, over ice, or as a choc shake.
Colourful hoardings for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe have now appeared on Cross Street, just next door to the new Joe & The Juice.
A planning application has also been lodged with Manchester City Council.
Drake-backed fried chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The huge LA-based fried chicken brand backed by Drake is heading to Manchester for the very first time this summer.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open in the Printworks this August – the first UK branch outside of London and Birmingham.
The cult chicken brand has said that its new venue will feature an ‘industrial design inspired by Manchester’s rave scene’ (if we had a pound every time a new venue used that design style, we’d be as rich as Drake…).
Dave’s Hot Chicken is famed for its signature Nashville-style hot chicken, which is served in seven different spice levels from No Spice to Reaper.
Expect sliders, tenders, ‘next-level’ top-loaded shakes and slushes.
It’s grown so quickly that in 2021, it caught the eye of none other than rapper Drake, who is a ‘significant investor’ in the brand.
The fried chicken spot will be moving into the large corner unit at Printworks, which has previously been Busaba Thai, and Floripa, with 139 covers.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is coming to Manchester
Inside, it will feature towering ceilings, exposed steelwork, and laser lights, claiming to be a ‘full-on sensory trip, where music, light and fried chicken will come together to create a high-voltage experience’.
There will also be custom graffiti inspired by L.A.-based street artists Splatterhaus and Dehm.
Dave’s Hot Chicken still has hour-long queues down in London, several months after opening on Shaftesbury Avenue – next up will be a Birmingham branch in July before Manchester opens later this summer.
And this is just the start of a nationwide expansion.
Jim Attwood, Managing Director of Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Printworks Manchester is the ideal setting for our next UK site – right at the heart of one of the country’s most exciting cities.
“The new restaurant pays homage to Manchester’s legendary warehouse rave scene, with an industrial-inspired design and bold, high-energy atmosphere to match our signature flavours.
“We can’t wait to bring something fresh to this iconic venue and its vibrant mix of entertainment, food and culture.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken will open at Printworks Manchester on 8 August.
Daisy Jackson -
5th February 2024 
