Manchester’s twice Michelin-recommended Indian restaurant Asha’s has been closed since Christmas, but now, after five months, it’s revealed plans to reopen – with a swanky new hotel and bar upstairs.
The award-winning restaurant was sold to Kro Hospitality, which also owns Velvet Hotel in the Gay Village, in 2018 following the purchase of the freehold of the grade II-listed 47 Peter Street.
It reopened sporadically throughout the pandemic when it could, but has been shut since the end of last year whilst renovation work was taking place upstairs.
Now, its new owners have revealed plans to reopen the restaurant, alongside a brand new luxury hotel and bar, in Manchester this summer.
Image: Supplied
Image: Asha’s
Image: Asha’s
The glitzy new hotel, named Forty-Seven in acknowledgement of its Peter Street address, looks set to feature some of the plushest suites in the city.
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Opulently decorated and designed for the ultimate comfort, in total it boasts 32 bedrooms – including a range of duplex and signature suites.
The reopening will also reveal the new Peterman bar, which promises a fine selection of cocktails, wines and beers – all designed with the stories of Petersfield and the Suffragettes in mind.
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The new bar will take centre stage in the former Bollibar, underneath Asha’s restaurant.
The new bar will take centre stage in the former Bollibar, underneath Asha’s restaurant. / Image: Asha’s Manchester
Asha’s restaurant has been a mainstay on Peter Street for over seven years, featuring in the Michelin Guide in 2017 and 2018.
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Asha’s has had an award-winning past with both local and national awards, including ‘British Curry Awards – Best Restaurant Outside London’ in 2019 and 2021 – only missing out on 2020 due to the pandemic.
Both the Manchester restaurant and the new hotel and bar are expected to open on Peter Street this summer.
Image: Asha’s Manchester
Speaking ahead of the openings, Kim Eivind Krohn, owner of KRO Hospitality, said: “We’re delighted to announce the latest update on our recent venture to create a new, exciting and extravagant hotel in the heart of Manchester’s vibrant Peter Street, which is home to popular venues including our very own Asha’s Restaurant, which will be reopening in our new hotel, ‘Forty-Seven’”.
Kro Hospitality’s other city centre venue, Velvet Hotel, Bar and Brasserie, is currently undergoing an extension of the Hotel to create an additional 18 bedrooms that will offer elegant luxury.
Feature image – Asha’s
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Work begins on new £500m ‘culture hub’ with a cinema and performance spaces in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Work is finally beginning on a new £500 million culture hub in Manchester.
The first phase of plans to transform Wythenshawe Civic has entered an exciting new chapter, with Manchester City Council and placemaker Muse officially commencing construction of the new Culture Hub – which is tipped to provide a ‘major boost’ for budding artists, and creative groups and organisations in the area.
The hub is set to include space for food and drink on the ground floor, while the first floor is home to a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes, and community events.
Locals can also expect a brand-new 40-seater cinema, which has been included following feedback given during a public consultation, and 200-seater performance space for a diverse range of performances.
Everything from dance and drama, to music and modern art will fill the performance spaces once the hub opens.
Expected to be completed in 2027, the Culture Hub sits within the first phase of a wider plan to ‘refresh’ Wythenshawe Civic, and will come to life thanks to £20 million of funding from the UK Government and a further £11.9 million from the Council.
What Wythenshawe Civic Centre looks like currently, before being transformed / Credit: Wikipedia Commons
“Listening to local people over the last year and more, we know that Wythenshawe residents want more from their town centre – more things to do, opportunities to spend time in Civic and night time attractions that give the area a lift and attract visitors,” explained Cllr Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“This is the drive behind the Culture Hub – a place for local people with an interest in the arts to take part in creative activities, see a show, or enjoy the cinema space, right in the heart of their community.
“This is another exciting chapter in the transformation of Wythenshawe town centre.”
Joe Stockton, Development Director at Muse, called the construction of the new Culture Hub an ‘exciting moment’ for Wythenshawe.
He added: “Our aim is to create a space for the town’s talented artists and creatives to come together and give them the facilities and the space they’ve asked for, to put on amazing shows, live performances, and workshops.
“It’s all part of the wider plan to create opportunities for residents, new homes and jobs, as well as a thriving high street for people to spend time in.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Police launch investigation after man found ‘injured and unresponsive’ in Manchester road
Emily Sergeant
A police investigation has been launched after a man was found ‘injured and unresponsive’ in the middle of a road in Manchester.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called out Plymouth Grove, in the Longsight area of Manchester, at around 9pm this past Friday (30 January), and when they arrived at the scene, found a 61-year-old man lying in the road.
After being found ‘unresponsive’, the man was immediately taken to hospital, where he is currently being treated for head injuries.
At this time, it is currently unknown how than man came to be in the road.
With so many questions left to answer, and a police investigation now underway being led by GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, officers are now urgently appealing to the public for witnesses and information.
“We have an open mind as we investigate how this man became to be injured,” explained PC Megan Stockton in the appeal. “However, there is the possibility he was struck by a vehicle.
“We are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time, particularly anybody who may have dashcam footage taken in the area on Friday night.”
Can you help? If you have any information that could assist GMP’s investigation, then please contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting incident number 3421 of 30/01/26, or by calling 101 or using the LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
20th May 2022 
