2024 is already shaping up to be a big year for new openings here in Greater Manchester and the city centre, especially, and we always look forward to welcoming the latest additions to 0161.
We smell another list coming on…
From new restaurants and food halls to state-of-the-art live music and entertainment venues, not to mention one of the world’s most famous private members clubs and more, there’s a little bit of everything shaping the local landscape this year and we genuinely can’t wait.
Here are just seven of the biggest new openings arriving in and around Manchester in 2024.
What’s opening in Greater Manchester this year?
1. Royal Nawaab
The iconic Stockport Pyramid is finally getting a transformation. Award-winning restaurant group Royal Nawaab has been serving authentic curries in Manchester for years and is now moving its expertise over to one of Stockport‘s most well-known spaces.
ADVERTISEMENT
Specialising in banquet-style all-you-can-eat, Royal Nawaab will be creating a grand hall serving up Indian and Pakistani cuisine. It’s the stuff of legend in South Manchester.
With elegant surroundings throughout, a warm friendly atmosphere and great food, you’re going to want to put them on your wishlist. The kitchen is set to open this summer.
Manchester’s latest fine dining restaurant is one of 2024’s most anticipated openings, creator Tom Barnes aims to bring an unpretentious yet ambitious dining experience to the North West.
The former executive chef at Simon Rogan’s three Michelin-starred L’Enclume has only ever worked around stars and is tipped to be bringing another when the kitchen fires into life at his debut solo project, Skof.
Located in the heart of the NOMA district, Barnes is taking over the terracotta tiled, Grade II-listed Hanover Building hosting 36 covers to remove some of the seriousness out of tasting menus.
The hit London steakhouse is making its move up North. For all you steak lovers this is one to look out for. Opening up on Deansgate, it’s going to have to compete with some stiff competition including Fazenda, Gaucho and just a few doors up the road, Hawksmoor.
One thing that Flat Iron does incredibly is affordability, their signature flat iron steak currently sets you back £13 — and that’s even the capital’s 12 current branches. Pair that with their beef dripping chips or their bone marrow and garlic mash and you’ve got yourself a slap-up steak dinner without breaking the bank. They aim to make ‘remarkable steak available to everyone’; now that we can get behind.
Flat Iron is also famed for its quirky little touches. On arrival, you’ll be handed a miniature meat and a pot of sweet and salty popcorn to a cleaver that can be traded in for a free soft-serve ice cream cone on the way out. How about that for a treat!
Nestled in the heart of a rapidly transforming neighbourhood for arts and culture, the ‘Soho House experience’ is coming to five floors of the former Granada Studios in Spring.
The luxury members-only club has absolutely everything. Soho House will offer some of the best wellness amenities in the city, with an extensive gym and free weights area, studio space for classes, plus a steam room, sauna and rooftop pool that will open onto a balcony to take in those skyline views.
ADVERTISEMENT
If you are after a spot to eat, the members-only restaurant is perfect for elegant formal dining, but at Soho House, they do it both. There are plenty of casual lounge areas for food and drink including a bar with live DJs inside and up on the roof for a late-night boogie.
The brand-new multi-use space is the latest in the city’s independent food and drink boom. Created by the team behind GRUB, known for their weekly rotating lineup of street food, they’re bringing new flavours and new sounds to Green Quarter, opening its doors on Friday, 1 March.
Located just off Angel Park Meadow it will be a stone’s throw from the city centre and expected to embody Manchester’s modern industrial vibes as well as all the perks of a big green beer garden — and should you fall it love with it as much as you are with your partner, you can get even married there!
Taking advantage of an open, 500-capacity space, the relaunch of Fairfield Social Club will also hold a range of events spotlighting local talent from DJs to live comedy and much more. They’re also doing warm-up events as they prepare for the full launch later this year.
Credit: Fairfield Social Club (via Facebook)
6. Co-op Live
A new massive music venue in Manchester – yes, please! Set to open its doors in April 2024, they’ve already got some of the world’s biggest stars taking to the stage including The Killers, Olivia Rodrigo, about a dozen Take That shows; Liam Gallagher, Keane, Nikki Minaj and many, many more.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 23,500-seater arena is plotted opposite the Etihad Stadium and is even backed by a pretty big star of our own, Harry Styles. Yes, the former 1D man is an entrepreneur now.
The global superstar said, “I was drawn to this project on every level, from the opportunities it brings to the contribution it will make to the city, and most importantly, that it will allow even more live music to thrive in Manchester.” If it Co-Op Live is good enough for the Styles, it’s good enough for us.
Last but not least on this list, all the glitz, glamour and entertainment might be well and good, but the importance of a brand new transport hub not only with links to Manchester city centre but all of the neighbouring boroughs and a lot more cannot be overstated.
The Stockport bus station closed back in 2021 to make way for a huge overhaul and brand new Interchange, including the town centre’s first new green space in decades. It’s costing over £1 billion and is on course for completion in spring 2024. There’s even talk of a tram line in the future.
The massive development will feature 196 new neighbouring one and two-bedroom apartments, retail units, 18 new bus stands, cycle storage, a Travelshop with info screens as well a two-acre public park on the roof. Huge not only for locals but the Bee Network as a whole.
That’s just a very small glimpse at the new openings coming to Greater Manchester across all sectors in 2024 and, as you can see, we’re taking that whole ‘levelling up the North’ very seriously.
We’re no strangers to pioneering culture, infrastructure and innovation in general, but it’s just nice to kick off the year by looking at all the cool things materialising in the city and its surrounding areas in the coming months.
Plans for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have been green-lit
Danny Jones
Proposals for a new cultural hub in Wythenshawe have officially been approved, with the overall regeneration plans valued somewhere in the region of £500 million.
The Greater Manchester town has long been accused of being neglected by local authorities and investors, but now natives and those living in and around the area are being asked to consult on what has the potential to be a huge transformation.
Wythenshawe town centre could look almost unrecognisable should everything go according to plan, not to mention inject a much-needed boost to the arts and creative industries in the area.
Put simply, this could be huge for a place long overlooked and deserving of some TLC.
Credit: Manchester City Council
The simply titled ‘Culture Hub’ will aim to create a new community outlet and environment for everyone to enjoy, allowing them access to professional facilities and support, as well as further tap into that vital grassroots culture and creativity.
While the UK government has a total of £4.8bn set aside for infrastructure and regional disparity works that fall under the initiative, the Culture Hub was set to cost £20m back then, though Wythenshawe is looking for an estimated half a billion to upgrade their town centre.
As per an official press release, the hub is set to sit within Civic – Wythy’s much-loved shopping complex – and will include space for food and drink on the ground floor, as well as a mix of artist studio spaces and flexible areas for workshops, exhibitions, classes or local events on the first floor.
The Council itself is set to contribute a further £11.9m, as they hope to back future plans for a bustling new food hall spilling out onto an updated public square, with new workspaces for independent start-ups and growing Manc businesses.
Credit: MCC
Meanwhile, a new 200-seater performance space will be created on the second floor, “providing a backdrop for a diverse range of performances, whether it’s dance or drama, music or modern art, there’ll be something for everyone.”
As touched upon, a larger public square will also be included, with improved outdoor areas, new paving and, crucially, more trees, plants and green spaces to make the town centre a much more natural, vibrant and welcoming space.
Private construction company Muse was appointed as the development partner for the new cultural hub and further Wythenshawe town centre regeneration initiative back in August 2024; as a local firm, they have a heavily vested interest in the 30,000 sq ft site and the surrounding area.
Work on the Culture Hub is due to commence this autumn, with the opening scheduled for some time in early 2027 – touch wood.
Credit: Manchester City Council (MCC)
Councillor Gavin White, who serves as an executive member on Manchester City Council’s executive housing and development team, said:“The Culture Hub planning approval is a really exciting milestone in the long-term regeneration of Civic.
“This is a statement of intent of how serious we are about investing in Wythenshawe’s town centre – and this is an early sign of what is to come. We want to build on the destination potential of Civic, create opportunities for local people and visitors to spend time in the area, and widen the offer for our residents to enjoy and participate in the arts right on their doorstep.
“High streets are the soul of our communities and we are investing heavily in our town centres across the city, including Gorton and Moston, to celebrate how they bring people together, support businesses and help grow local economies.
“This is just the start for Wythenshawe, and the conversation we are having with local people is ongoing to make sure we can be guided by the very people who live and work in this community. I’d urge as many people as possible to tell us what they think about the future of their area.”
Joe Stockton, senior development manager at Muse, added:“Getting the green light for the new Culture Hub is a major milestone in our once-in-a-generation plans to work with local people to transform Wythenshawe town centre.
“The feedback that we’ve received so far for the hub has been really positive with many seeing it as a creative space where people and groups of all ages can spend time, learn new skills and explore culture in a positive way.”
“We look forward to getting started on construction later this year, which we hope the people of Wythenshawe will see as a significant sign of our intent to drive this project forward with their ongoing support.”
Featured Images — CGIs via Manchester City Council
News
Medlock Canteen confirms gutting closure after just 18 months
Danny Jones
Relative Manchester newcomer and city centre gem, Medlock Canteen, has announced that the business has now closed, sharing a lengthy statement on their social media.
The Deansgate Square favourite, which looked tipped to be one of the founding members of the emerging New Jackson foodie district, has sadly confirmed its immediate closure, with all existing bookings being unfortunately cancelled.
Medlock only opened back in March of 2024 and left a big impression on its many diners during that time, but sadly, the ever-present pressures of the hospitality industry don’t discriminate.
Writing on Instagram, the restaurant said: “With heavy hearts, we’re announcing the closure of Medlock Canteen. When we opened our doors 18 months ago, our dream was simple: to build a neighbourhood spot where everyone felt welcome, serving proper good food you know, love and can’t wait to eat.
“But the current climate has made that dream a tough one to sustain. Rising costs, increased taxes, and tighter spending have created challenges we’ve fought hard to overcome but, sadly, they’re ones we just can’t compete with.
“We’re proud to say our amazing team has been looked after, with payroll up to date and everyone offered roles elsewhere in our family of venues. If you’ve got opportunities going, drop us a message – we’d love to pass them on to anyone ready for their next chapter.”
Owned by the same group behind Belzan in Liverpool and Manchester’s Madre over in Kampus, the team led by co-owner Owain Williams has offered replacement reservations at their other venues by way of an apology to their loyal customers.
It was only back in April last year that renowned food writer Jay Rayner described it as “special” and dubbed the admittedly swankly skyscraper location a “welcome haven for all.”
Couldn’t agree more. Few could’ve seen Medlock Canteen closing barely a year on from such a glowing write-up.
They signed off by adding: “To everyone who dined, left us a rave review, shared a laugh, or came back for seconds: thank you.
“You made this little place feel truly special. And yes, we promise, one day, somehow, we’ll get that rhubarb pie back to you!”
We’ve lost another impressive little spot far too soon, but we’ll always have the unbelievable scran, and it goes without saying that while Medlock Canteen may have closed, there’ll still be plenty of continued support for the likes of Madre and its sibling down the Mersey.
Fingers crossed we get a comeback one day, but until then, let’s just stop and appreciate how stunning their food truly was.
Harry Quick -
19th January 2024 
