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.
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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.
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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.
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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 search for man who threw punch at Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match
Daisy Jackson
Police are searching for man who threw his own punch at the AO Arena after Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
The man in question is believed to have vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the match itself came to an end.
He then punched a man sat behind him in the face, before making off on foot.
He left two women and a man he was with behind.
Police are now appealing to witnesses of the assault on Saturday 21 January 2023 to come forward with any information.
#APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
If you know this man (pictured) please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23. pic.twitter.com/vr6zsUI6ri
CCTV images of the suspect have been released by GMP.
They said in a statement: “Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
“It is reported that then man (pictured) vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the boxing match finished, and struck a man sat behind him in the face.
“The offender then made off on foot, leaving two women and a man he was with, behind.
“Officers believe that the suspect is possibly from the Merseyside area. If you know the man or have any information relating to the crime, please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: GMP
News
Salford police officer sacked for ‘depraved’ relationship with vulnerable woman
Daisy Jackson
A police officer has been sacked after carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a crime victim.
Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, has been dismissed and barred after a Gross Misconduct Hearing on 24 and 25 January 2023.
In the hearing, a panel heard how Banks had advised a vulnerable woman to create an email account – which he then accessed to view images and videos, some of which were explicit, that she had uploaded.
He viewed the content more than 200 times and never reported them to his manager or the force’s Professional Standards Branch.
In the end, his own colleagues sensed that something was amiss and raised the alarm.
GMP has now slammed Banks’s ‘depraved behaviour’ and stressed that ‘there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him’.
A statement also said that he ‘abused his position of trust’.
Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: “Banks knew full well that his conduct was egregiously wrong.
“By cultivating an improper relationship with a vulnerable member of the public who he met in the course of his policing duties, the officer has been deservedly sacked from GMP.
“Not only has he disgraced himself, but his depraved behaviour dishonours policing and undermines the principled endeavours of his colleagues, who everyday do a valiant job catching criminals and protecting our communities.
“Indeed, it was Banks’ own colleagues who sensed something was amiss and triggered the first step in a process that rooted him out.
“The prudence of his colleagues is to be commended and I am grateful to the IOPC for conducting an investigation that left no stone unturned.
#SACKED I A police officer has been dismissed and placed on the College of Policing Barred List for carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a vulnerable woman. Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, appeared at a disciplinary hearing. More here – https://t.co/NUQ0aEEa8Opic.twitter.com/LWzTYQpb55
“No decent member of the police service wants to work with the likes of Banks and there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him.
“He abused his position of trust and for that the Office of Constable has been rightly stripped from him.
“GMP is a better force without Banks and we will recruit a new officer into his post who will discharge their duties with honour and espouse the professional and compassionate values of the GMP workforce.”
Banks, who had been on restricted since the investigation began in December 2020, was dismissed without notice.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd August 2022 
