After several years of heady anticipation, London celeb haunt Sexy Fish has finally confirmed it will be opening in Manchester this autumn.
The glitzy restaurant will move into Spinningfields’ old Armani store later this year, transforming the fashion house’s former flagship into a swanky eatery and bar as it opens its first northern outpost.
It will open above longstanding sushi favourite Australasia and is likely to offer a bit of competition considering that menus at Sexy Fish also take inspiration from Asia, with a focus on Japanese faovurites including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and robata.
Whilst the menus for Manchester are not currently available, Sexy Fish’s current Mayfair menus are extensive – spanning a large a la carte, a special late night menu served Thursday to Sunday, a Kuikki set menu where you can enjoy four dishes for £38, plus dedicated menus for cocktails, dessert, wine, whiskey and whiskey tasting.
Kimchi fried rice at Sexy Fish. / Image: Sexy Fish
You can never have too much sushi. / Image: Sexy Fish
But as popular as the food is likely to be, It is sure to draw in plenty of fans for its design, too, with visitors to the current London site comparing it to a museum or art gallery such is the attention to detail in its expensive fit out.
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Incorporating the unique artistry of Frank Gehry. Michael Roberts and Damien Hirst, customers at the original Berkley Square restaurant can marvel at a 13ft mirrored crocodile on its main dining room wall and bronze mermaids designed by Hirst, as well as an esmerelda onyx floor, raspberry leather benches, and a fabric-panelled ceiling mural.
Although no details of the Manchester venue’s interiors have yet been released, given how famous Sexy Fish is for its extravagant decor it is expected that similar attention to detail will be paid here.
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Image: Sexy Fish
Image: Sexy Fish
The confirmation of the opening has been a long time coming, with Sexy Fish launching its official Manchester Instagram on Tuesday night.
News of the restaurant’s plans to open a second site in the north of England first broke in August 2021, leaving fans of its glamorous settings and cuisine to wait nearly two years for more details.
Sexy Fish – which first opened up in London’s prestigious Mayfair district in 2015, and is led by Michelin Star chef Bjoern Weissgerber – made headlines a few years ago when singer Jess Glynne claimed she was “discriminated against” after being denied entry for wearing joggers.
Sexy Fish is part of the Caprice group of restaurants owned by Richard Caring, who also owns The Ivy chain of eateries, so presumably, Sexy Fish will hope to follow the success of The Ivy Spinningfields, which opened in 2019.
Featured image – Sexy Fish
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Chester Zoo announces new spring date for its popular running event to help UK wildlife
Emily Sergeant
Chester Zoo has announced that its popular Run For Nature is back again this year, and this time, there’s a new spring edition.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo seen success with this event in the past few years, with thousands of runners signing up for one of the North West’s most unique athletic experiences and all funds raised going towards efforts to protect highly-endangered giraffes in Africa.
This year though, the much-loved event’s focus brings conservation ‘a little closer to home’ and will protect some of the UK’s most threatened species instead – with all funds helping to safeguard hedgehogs, kingfishers, otters, harvest mice, and more.
It comes as the UK is currently considered one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth.
Participants will first get to wind through the zoo and enjoy glimpses of elephants, lemurs, and other incredible species along the way, before heading out into the picturesque Cheshire countryside.
Adults can choose from a 10K or 5K route, while younger runners are invited to take part in a one-mile ‘Zoom’ race, open to children aged four-15, which takes place entirely within the zoo’s incredible 130-acre grounds.
All runners will receive free entry to the zoo for the rest of the day as part of their registration, along with a 25% discount for friends and family who come along to show support.
Chester Zoo’s popular 10K charity run is returns with a new spring date / Credit: Chester Zoo
Lorraine Jubb, who is the Fundraising Lead at Chester Zoo, called the Run For Nature a ‘really special event’.
“In previous years, runners have already supported conservation efforts for Asian elephants, Eastern black rhinos and Northern giraffe,” she explained. This springtime though, we’re turning our attention much closer to home in the UK, and to the wildlife we share our gardens, parks and countryside with.
“With one in six species now at risk of extinction in the UK, every runner will be playing a vital role in helping us protect animals and supporting our growing nature recovery work across right across Cheshire.
Run For Nature will take place on the new springtime date of Sunday 29 March 2026, and there’s 3,000 places to sign up for.
You can find out more and register on the Chester Zoo website here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Transport Secretary commits to ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The Transport Secretary has signed a ‘transformational’ rail deal for Greater Manchester.
The Government has formally agreed to work with Greater Manchester and Mayor Andy Burnham on plans for a new railway connecting Liverpool and Manchester, via Warrington, as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
The new Liverpool-Manchester line is said to underpin the Northern Growth Corridor – which is a bold strategy to drive growth from the Mersey to the Pennines, stretching into Yorkshire, Lancashire, North Wales, and beyond – with a key connection at Manchester Airport.
Local analysis has suggested that the new line could generate around £90 billion in additional revenue by 2040.
Also, as part of the major investment of up to £45 billion – which was announced a couple of weeks back, and is tipped to transform rail travel across the North – the Government has also said it will work with Greater Manchester partners to explore an underground option at Manchester Piccadilly station, recognising its potential as a ‘catalyst for growth’.
Local leaders say they are keen to demonstrate how an underground station could turn Piccadilly into a ‘Kings Cross of the North’.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met with Mayor Andy Burnham last week to sign the formal agreement.
The agreement recognises the potential for an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly, while also acknowledging the need for further ‘testing’ to make sure it will deliver value for money, and additionally sets out how the Government will work with Greater Manchester on the wider NPR scheme – which will be delivered in three stages, with the Liverpool-Manchester line to be built in the second phase.
The Transport Secretary has committed to a ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM (Supplied)
A formal review of the underground option at Manchester Piccadilly is to be lead by local leaders and senior civil servants.
“I’ve strengthened this Government’s clear and unwavering commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail by signing an agreement with Mayor Burnham on the next steps for transforming connectivity in Greater Manchester,” explained Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“With a new line between Manchester and Liverpool at the heart of our plans, alongside new stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, we will unlock new opportunities, more jobs and more housing for thousands of people.
“By providing early clarity on scope and phasing, we are giving Greater Manchester the certainty it needs to plan ahead and unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people.”
Georgina Pellant -
21st June 2023 
