Stockport’s famous Pyramid building will be transformed into a huge curry house buffet and banquet hall, it has been revealed.
The iconic structure has loomed over the M60 ever since its construction, but for more than five years has stood empty.
Originally built as part of a ‘Valley of Kings’ project that would’ve seen five pyramids built along the River Mersey in a nod to ancient Egypt, today it stands alone after developers went into bankruptcy.
The Co-op, which had paid for its construction, used it as a call centre base from 1995- 2018, but it has stood empty ever since the company relocated to NOMA in Manchester city centre.
Now, the unusual glass structure looks set for a new lease of life as the owners of one of South Manchester’s most popular curry houses reveals he is in talks with owners about taking the pyramid on.
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Image: Royal Nawaab
Image: Royal Nawaab
The owner of Royal Nawaab, an award-winning restaurant chain with roots in Levenshulme, has said that he is currently in talks with owners about the move.
Mahboob Hussain, one of the owners of Nawaab – which now has two sites in London, having recently closed its original 2003 restaurant on Stockport Road – revealed that talks about a takeover at the Pyramid are at an ‘advanced stage’.
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The famous all-you-can-eat Royal Nawaab buffet originally opened inside an old cinema on Stockport Road 20 years ago, but closed its doors in January after being taken over by Indian restaurant Merzee.
Image: Royal Nawaab
Image: Royal Nawaab
Its owners Tariq Mahmood Malik and Mahboob Hussain Junior reportedly parted ways in 2021 after a fallout, leading to a protracted court battle that saw 50 percent of the company go on sale despite the business being “very profitable”.
This led to the takeover of the original Stockport site and its social media channels by Indian restaurant Merzee.
Hussain has now told the Manchester Evening News that his company wants the iconic structure as the Royal Nawaab’s ‘next home in the North West.’
Featured image – Geograph
Eats
Glitzy Spinningfields bar famed for its bottomless deals shuts down
Daisy Jackson
Popular cocktail bar group Banyan has suddenly closed its glitzy bar in the heart of Spinningfields.
The restaurant and bar, which is part of the Arc Inspirations group that also operates Manahatta and Box, has shut down with immediate effect.
A sign has been posted in the window of the Spinningfields site of Banyan confirming its closure.
Banyan opened in 2018 and was the second site for the brand, which has been operating out of the Corn Exchange since 2015.
Inside, the huge 7,000sq ft space was split into spaces for drinking, dining and dancing, including a large mezzanine and a huge white marble bar.
Banyan is famed for its bottomless deals, whether that’s a classic bottomless brunch or their bottomless Sunday roast (endless Yorkshire puddings, gravy, wine, and roast potatoes).
It also offered two-for-one cocktails, all day every day.
The bar stands on the side of Spinningfields, directly opposite The Ivy and alongside The Alchemist.
Banyan in Spinningfields has shut downThe note in the window of Banyan
But now it has permanently closed its doors, thanking people for their custom over its almost-decade in Manchester.
The sign on the door says: “Banyan Spinningfields is now permanently closed.
“Thank you so much for your custom over the years, we’ve loved being part of this wonderful city and have made so many friends.
“Don’t be a stranger, we’d love to continue to welcome you to our Banyan bar in the Corn Exchange. Team Banyan.”
Bangkok Diners Club moves out of Ancoats just months after Michelin Guide win
Daisy Jackson
Bangkok Diners Club, the critically-acclaimed restaurant above the Edinburgh Castle pub, has closed its restaurant space.
The Thai restaurant was added to the Michelin Guide last October, not long after taking over the upstairs of the popular pub.
It also received a rave review in The Guardian from restaurant critic Grace Dent, who said it would be ‘one of Manchester’s hottest dining tickets’.
But now Bangkok Diners Club has decided its time in Ancoats is up, and has closed its beautiful restaurant space with immediate effect.
In an email sent to customers with reservations, they wrote that Bangkok Diners Club ‘sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle’.
Owners and husband-and-wife team Ben and Bo Humpheys aren’t leaving things there though, announcing plans to move into the Exhibition food hall on Peter Street.
Co-owner Ben Humphreys outside Bangkok Diners Club. Credit: The Manc GroupThe food earned them a place in the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
They’ll be joining MoreJoy and pasta concept Anatra in the space, but bidding farewell to their own dedicated restaurant for now.
The email sent to customers reads: “We have just noticed that the system has allowed you to make a reservation during a time that we are closed. We apologise that this has happened.
“Ben and Bo are cooking at Exhibition during 2026 and Bangkok Diners Club sadly won’t be returning to Edinburgh Castle.
“Sincerest apologies for all the inconvenience caused.”
Georgina Pellant -
10th July 2023 
