A new food hall concept is opening inside one of Manchester’s most historic buildings, taking on a space where the old Natural History Museum once stood.
Brought to life by the team behind Peter Street aperitivo bar Haunt, the new drink and dining hall will sit just around the corner on Museum Street inside the Grade II-listed St George’s House building.
Called Exhibition, it will bring together three independent kitchen concepts alongside two different in-house bars managed in-house and (as you might’ve guessed from the name) a range of dedicated exhibition spaces.
Aiming to push the boundaries of Manchester’s vibrant entertainment scene with the addition of changing works from local artists and a theatrical performance element come nightfall, it will sit inside a stunning period building rich with local history.
Interiors have been stripped back to the bone, leaving not much more than an industrial shell of exposed brick and beams behind.
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The new 6,000sqft food hall will serve local beers on tap, an extensive wine list and premium spirits, with locally-brewed craft Manchester Union Lager poured straight from a specially-installed tank.
There will also be a second bar dedicated to seasonally-changing cocktails which will celebrate a new spirit every quarter.
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Not much has yet been revealed on the food yet, with operators only saying that kitchens will be serving up ‘innovative seasonal menus with a refined flair’ and offering a mixture of small and large plates.
Then, after dark, the 400-capacity venue will play host to nightly DJs and entertainers, showcasing the very best of Manchester’s creative scene.
Owners are keen to embrace the rich history of the site as they breathe new life into it with the opening of Exhibition.
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Based within the stunning settings of St George’s House, which was built on top of Manchester’s old Natural History Museum following its demolishment, this corner of Peter Stret has a significant past.,
As well as once being home to Manchester’s Natural History Museum, it sits above the site of the 1817 Peterloo Massacre where hundreds were injured following peaceful protests for parliamentary reform.
And that’s not all. It is also the very place where the body of Hannah Beswick, also known as the Manchester Mummy, was found.
A wealthy woman with a pathological fear of premature burial, upon her instructuions following her death her body was embalmed and then kept above ground to be periodically checked for signs of life.
It’s something the team are keen to celebrate, as they prepare to open Exhibition this Autumn.
Sam Wheatley, Operations Manager said: “We can’t wait to start welcoming people to Exhibition this Autumn, and hope to bring something different to Peter Street. It’s been a passion project for the whole team, and we can’t wait to see this incredible space brought back to life.
“Nurturing local businesses and artists is integral to Exhibition, and we’re so excited to share our venue with some of the most talented people from across the region.”
Wayne Rooney expresses interest in joining Manchester United’s coaching staff
Danny Jones
In another unexpected twist in the Manchester United manager saga, club and England legend Wayne Rooney has expressed interest in returning to Old Trafford and potentially joining their coaching staff.
Man United’s all-time leading goalscorer is one of half a dozen different former players to have been linked with either the top job or a backroom role following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
Speaking on his self-titled BBC podcast, the retired Premier League icon turned coach and now pundit, didn’t hesitate when asked about the prospect, simply replying: “of course I would” – dubbing the decision as “a no-brainer.”
"Of course I would!"
Wayne Rooney wouldn't think twice about joining Michael Carrick's staff at Manchester United if an offer arrived. pic.twitter.com/nGEAugQjHH
Rooney’s last coaching job was that of Plymouth Argyle manager, which ended in December 2024 following a run of poor results, much like his time at Birmingham City earlier that year.
Since then, he’s bounced around between punditry and broadcasting, serving as a guest on the likes of The Overlap with his old teammates and peers, as well as now co-hosting his own aforementioned pod, The Wayne Rooney Show.
However, the 40-year-old has always insisted that he still wants a future in coaching, and while it may not have worked as a full-time first-team boss just yet, perhaps more of an assistant position or more specific post (maybe training the forwards as Benni McCarthy did) could be a better fit for now.
‘Wazza’ admitted that, even despite having been on holiday with Carrick “last week”, no one could have expected this situation to have emerged, and certainly not this quick a turnaround.
Moreover, Rooney insisted that rather than preferring any particular person for the next interim head coach/United manager or to join the wider staff, he simply believes that they need “people who know the club” inside and out.
He isn’t the first to have accused the global sporting franchise of losing its ‘identity’ in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and many seem to believe that getting in familiar faces who were at the club during its heyday could help resolve that issue.
This was obviously pretty much the thinking when Ole Gunnar Solskjær not only became interim head coach but got the job on a permanent basis after they began looking more like the confident, attacking teams of old and like they were enjoying their football again. Though we all know how it ended.
Solskjær did look to be leading the race to return to Old Trafford for a second spell as manager initially, but it now looks as though Michael Carrick is the odds-on favourite to replace Amorim in the interim, with the suggestion that one might still assist the other.
Carrick certainly received a good amount of praise during his time at Middlesbrough, and while his time there didn’t end perfectly, either – parting ways after missing out on the playoff spots once again – there seems to be a belief that he, whether flanked by others or not, is the right choice for United at this time.
Once again, there is talk of current temporary caretaker Darren Fletcher remaining with the first team in some capacity rather than simply returning straight to the under-18s, but only time will tell who will be involved. Nevertheless, it now looks nailed on that Carrick will be in the dugout for the derby day.
Police appeal for information after ‘attempted kidnapping’ in Wigan
Emily Sergeant
A public appeal for information has been issued after the attempted kidnapping of a female in Wigan last week.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Criminal Investigation Department are appealing for information and witnesses following the shocking incident, which occurred last Friday morning (9 January 2026) between 6:05am-6:20am.
The victim was walking along Central Park Way, in Wigan, when she was grabbed and threatened by a man who attempted to force her to come with him.
The victim managed to get free and to a place of safety, however the suspect fled the area.
The suspect is described by police as being a white male, approximately 6ft 1in tall, and was wearing grey joggers, black trainers, a yellow hi-vis vest, and a black beanie hat at the time of the incident.
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information following a reported attempt kidnapping on Friday 9 January between 6:05-6:20am on Central Park Way, #Wigan.
The victim was grabbed and threatened and the suspect attempted to force her with him.
Officers are supporting the victim and investigating the incident, but at this time are now appealing to the public for information.
“Whilst we understand incidents of this nature are concerning, I want to reassure our communities that we take reports of this nature very seriously and the safety of the public is our top priority,” commented Detective Sergeant Andrew Partington, of GMP’s Wigan CID, as he appealed to the public.
“Our officers are taking every measure and following multiple lines of enquiry to investigate the circumstances of this incident.
“We have extra patrols in place around the area and if you have any concerns, our officers are always more than happy to support.”
Can you help? Anyone with any information is urged to come forward.
This includes anyone who may have CCTV / dashcam footage, witnessed the incident itself, or can help police identify the man involved, and you can contact GMP on 0161 856 7094, quoting log 472 of 09/01/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
8th September 2022 
