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
Public urged to call the police if they see this wanted man
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a wanted man with links to Macclesfield and Alsager.
Joshua Wyatt, 34, is wanted on recall to prison, and officers are urging anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward.
Wyatt is described as being 183cm (6ft) tall and of medium build, with a bald head and blue eyes.
Police believe he has links to both Macclesfield and Alsager.
Anyone who sees Wyatt or has information about where he may be is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or report information via the force’s website.
Information should be provided quoting reference number 26000809013.
Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption
Daisy Jackson
Transport for Greater Manchester has announced a shuttle bus scheme to help Manchester United fans get to Old Trafford this week, amid major tram disruption.
Fans won’t be able to use trams to get to the ground as usual, due to huge improvement works which are in place until Monday 2 November.
There’ll be no trams at all on the Altrincham, Trafford Park, and Eccles lines, with Airport and East Didsbury trams only going as far as Firswood.
That means that fans heading to Manchester United’s home game against Bournemouth would have been a little stuck without this newly-announced shuttle bus service.
Frequent dedicated shuttle buses will run running Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham Interchange and the Trafford Centre, taking fans directly to Old Trafford before the game.
Frequencies range from five to 20 minutes depending on the route and time, with details available online. Return services will be in place after the final whistle.
TfGM staff will be at key stops and interchanges throughout the day to help fans get to the match and provide travel advice.
Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption. Credit: TfGM
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “There is no good time to disrupt passengers to carry out these works, and this is the first time in over a decade that trams won’t serve Old Trafford on a match day, but these works are essential and will enable us to provide a better service in future. I am very sorry to fans who face disruption.
“We’ve put a range of alternative travel options in place, including dedicated shuttle buses, bolstered Bee Network bus services, rail options and ticket acceptance arrangements will help fans get to and from the game.
“Journey options will be different from usual, so we would encourage supporters to plan ahead, check their route and our website before they travel and leave plenty of time to get to and from the stadium.”
TfGM is advising supporters to leave around an hour earlier to help make sure they arrive in time for kick-off.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd August 2022 
