Sweary TV chef Gordon Ramsay is planning to open an enormous three-storey Lucky Cat restaurant inside the old HSBC bank on King Street, it has been revealed.
The magnificent old bank space, formerly home to Jamie’s Italian, has lain empty at ever since The Naked Chef’s restaurant company collapsed into administration back in 2019.
Now, the site finally looks set for a revival as one seasoned TV chef prepares to take over from another.
The historic building will soon become home to Lucky Cat, the latest venture from firebrand TV chef Ramsay.
Image: Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay
Image: Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay
Set to open later this year, it will evoke 1930s Tokyo drinking dens in the heart of the city’s business district with a mixture of Japanese whiskies, Asian small plates, Robata dishes and innovative cocktails.
ADVERTISEMENT
Elsewhere, a dedicated raw bar will serve sushi and sashimi, whilst a standalone cocktail bar will proffer a fine selection of Japanese gins and over 50 sakes, alongside wine, beer and whisky.
The shiny new Asian dining concept first opened in Mayfair, London in 2019, taking over from its Michelin-starred predecessor Maze, which had previously occupied the Grosvenor Square location for fourteen years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Image: Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay
Image: Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay
The Asian Eating House, known for serving a mixture of high-quality Asian small plates and Robata grilled dishes, has been quite the hit with the Mayfair crowd since its launch.
Now, Lucky Cat will venture up north, giving Mancunians a taste of Ramsay’s latest offering for the very first time.
A licensing application has been filed with Manchester City Council for our own Lucky Cat, which would see the new three-storey Asian-style bar and restaurant installed within the former HSBC bank.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mirroring its reputation as a ‘vibrant late-night lounge’ in the capital, it looks set to be a bit of.a party bar, with proposed opening hours from 9am to 2.30am seven days a week and music a DJ playing into the early hours.
Elsewhere, if the experience in London is to be truly mirrored up north, we can expect chef’s tables offering ‘an experiential journey’ with guests able to choose from bespoke, handwritten, seasonal menus and enjoy a little theatre as they watch their chefs at work.
The bar will also offer the provision of ‘late-night refreshment’ between the hours of 11pm and 2.30am.
Feature image – Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay
News
Police release footage of Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest by hiding under a bed
Emily Sergeant
Police have released unseen footage of a Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest and justice by hiding under a bed.
David Dale Thompson, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (18 March) where he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of residential burglary at an earlier hearing.
The 43-year-old was caught early last year (15 January 2025) following proactive patrols by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) neighbourhood officers across Rusholme and Moss Side, who were in the area due to a high number of reports of burglaries in the weeks prior.
While on patrol, police spotted Thompson ‘acting suspiciously’ while riding a bike just before 5pm, and once officer subsequently followed him to a property on Boscombe Street, before calling for more officers to attend.
After gaining entry to the address, officers suspected something was wrong when they entered one of the rooms, and after lifting up the bed, they found Thompson hiding in the storage compartment attempting to evade arrest.
GMP has now released footage of the moment Thompson was caught.
Speaking following Thompson’s sentencing last week, Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald, of GMP’s Manchester Central Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was a fantastic example of proactive policing, which has resulted in a serial offender now behind bars.
“We know how devastating a burglary in your own home can be and this shows our commitment to tackling them head on.
“If you have any information or concerns about neighbourhood crime in your area, make sure you speak to us. In the meantime, we have officers on regular patrols in areas that need us the most.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Popular Manchester comedy festival A Lovely Weekend announces 2026 lineup
Emily Sergeant
A popular comedy festival is returning to our city next month with an impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’.
That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.
Following the success of events held over the past couple of years, renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has once again put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, hotly-tipped newcomers, and even critically-acclaimed comedians for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre.
Taking place, once again, at Fairfield Social Club, the weekend-long festival, aptly called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 29 May.
You can expect three full days of laughter at the hands of an expertly-curated lineup.
Audiences will get to watch Last One Laughing favourite Harriet Kemsley, viral internet sensation and stand-up Tom Lawrinson, and the return of Mark Silcox from BBC’s Man Like Mobeen on the Saturday, as well as the first-ever live show of Sean McLoughlin’s popular podcast, The Sean McTalk Show.
He will be joined by stand-up comic Josh Pugh, newly announced SNL UK cast member Larry Dean, and French comedian and writer Celya AB on the Sunday, all making for a ‘truly unmissable’ weekend of comedy.
Speaking ahead of the festival’s return, A Lovely Weekend producer John Stansfield said: “With around 20 shows over the course of three days, we can’t wait to pack out Fairfield Social Club with comedy fans for a heck of a lovely time and speaking personally, my favourite weekend of the year.”
The 2026 festival is supported by Found – Fairfield Social Club’s commercial operator – and alcohol free brewery, BRULO.
A Lovely Weekend will take over Fairfield Social Club from Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May, and tickets are on sale now – with tickets to individual shows, and specific day and weekend-long passes all available to get your hands on.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd August 2022 
