Diners have hit out at glitzy Manchester restaurant Rosso this week after being turned away for wearing shorts in the middle of a heatwave.
Despite owner Rio Ferdinand having spent the majority of his footballing career in said attire, his restaurant seems to have quite the strict dress code – as evidenced by a number of angry reviews left on its Tripadvisor page in recent weeks.
A number of diners have hit out at the Spring Gardens site for refusing them entry for wearing what they describe as “smart shorts”, with one lambasting instructions from the restaurant to read its T&Cs, saying “Who really checks these? We weren’t applying for a mortgage!”.
Bosses say that they make it clear to customers that there is a dress code at the site and that management retains the right to refuse entry at their discretion.
Earlier this year on 19 May, the restaurant issued a statement on its website that said: “Rosso has a smart dress code – no shorts/sportswear/hats. Management retains the right to refuse entry.”
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Image: Rio Ferdinand
However, this really hasn’t gone down well with some of their customers – especially this week, as temperatures across the country have soared to 30C.
One review, posted by user eileenp80 to Rosso’s TripAdvisor page two days ago, told of how their group of nine were turned away from celebrating a 40th birthday despite turning up to the restaurant “smartly dressed” with the menu wearing “tailored shorts and smart polo shirts”.
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She continued: “We hadn’t got as far as reception when a very rude man dressed in a track suit with a back pack on said, You can’t come in here wearing shorts. We had no idea who he was. Turned out he was a doorman. […] We thought he was joking, it was 27° outside. The receptionists confirmed this was so.
“I looked inside the restaurant, there were 4 tables occupied. One of which had a customer in denim jeans and a t shirt. We said surely you are not going to turn away a potential bill of £500+ due to this rule? In these economic times and given that the restaurant was almost empty, surely common sense could prevail? At this stage one of the children burst into tears because he thought we wouldn’t be able to celebrate the said birthday.
“There was absolutely no way we were to be allowed in. We were refunded the deposit and told the shorts rule is in the T&C’s. Who really checks these? We weren’t applying for a mortgage! On checking, this is correct but we were unaware of it. Coincidentally, we bumped into friends who had just eaten at Hawksmoor, all dressed in shorts. I know where I will spend my money in future. Rosso you disappointed us.”
Another review posted this week by Tripadvisor user Alien-review tells of a similar experience, where they turned up in tailored shorts on a “very sunny day” only to be turned away by “a very abrupt and rude doorman.”
The reviewer continued: “When we asked to speak to the manager we were told very aggressively “ring them” another ‘customer’ entered in cargo pants, when we questioned this the doorman said “well there not joggers are they” we did ring the restaurant from outside but the manager refused to come out, also the doorman seems to not recognise that bookings are secured with card details with a no show charge, they did cancel this after we called them from outside.
“Maybe the doorman was the owner and under the current economic climate can afford to turn customers away. Also what if someone has a hidden disability that forces them to wear shorts! We have passed our comments on direct to the restaurant but we’re not expecting any response.
“Will not be returning and looking at the reviews not many others will be either, took our custom to a 4* establishment who were more than welcoming.”
The celebrity hotspot has been a fixture at the top of Manchester’s King Street for years, regularly pulling in famous faces like Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan
In a statement issued in response to the review, Rosso commented on the complaints saying: “We truly value all our customers but we do have a very clearly stated dress code which guests are made aware of at the time of booking and is available for all to see.
“The last thing we wish to do is to upset any of our guests.”
Feature image – Google
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Prestigious Edinburgh TV Festival to move to Manchester for first time in 50 years
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester will become the new host city for the TV Festival from 2027 onwards it was announced today.
For the first time in five decades, following an extensive consultation and competitive bidding process – which was launched in 2025 – the prestigious festival is set to move from its home in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh to our region from 2027 onwards, beating out other major northern cities like Newcastle in the process.
As part of a UK-wide strategic review into the event’s long-term future, the Festival’s board of directors say the review was undertaken in order to ‘examine how the TV Festival could continue to grow’ amid increasing challenges around accessibility, affordability, and sustainability across the television industry.
Greater Manchester‘s ‘successful and comprehensive’ bid included commitments around affordability, infrastructure, industry partnership, and long-term growth potential.
Plans include holding the Festival in locations in the newly developed St. John’s creative and cultural district.
“Greater Manchester presented a vision for the Festival that combined genuine creative ambition and future-facing energy with practical accessibility and affordability for delegates,” commented Campbell Glennie, who is the CEO of the TV Festival and The TV Foundation.
“This means we can radically reduce the costs associated with attending the Festival as well as the cost of passes.
“The city reflects the expanding ambition of the UK television industry, while still offering the scale, connectivity and unique cultural identity needed for an event of this significance – it gives us the strongest platform to grow the Festival’s reach and impact in the years ahead.”
Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council, said being chosen as TV Festival hosts is ‘brilliant news’ for Greater Manchester, adding: “It speaks to the growth, success and strength of our screen sector in the city region and the strong partnerships and talent we have here.”
The final Edinburgh edition of the TV Festival will take place this August, and dates and further details for the TV Festival in 2027 will be shared later this year.
Featured Image – PickPik
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Even more of the Gay Village will be turned into outdoor seating this summer
Daisy Jackson
The Gay Village is set to get even more outdoor seating this summer, with the council moving to partially close several key streets to traffic.
The news lands mid-heatwave when thousands of Mancs are clamouring for a seat in the nearest beer garden or cafe terrace – with a huge proportion of those flocking to Canal Street.
Now, plans have been revealed to bring ‘a touch of cafe culture’ to the Gay Village, with even more outdoor seating space created for businesses in the area.
Initially running as a trial this summer, it will mean new terraces for New York New York, The Goose and The Eagle on Bloom Street, plus more locations on Richmond Street.
Manchester City Council has said that similar schemes on Thomas Street and Stevenson Square have been hugely popular with both punters and businesses, especially during the summer months, and can give local operators a huge boost.
So now it’s time for this thriving corner of the city to get the same treatment, as part of the ongoing work through the Gay Village Action Plan identified the need for more outdoor seating areas.
The two locations which will have the changes will be Bloom Street, between Abingdon Street and Chorlton Street; and Richmond Street, between Sackville Street and Chorlton Street.
In order to put these protected spaces into effect, some changes to the existing road network will be made:
Bloom Street becomes one-way from Chorlton Street towards Princess Street
Richmond Street is closed to through traffic between Chorlton Street and Sackville Street.
The scheme will initially run on a trial basis from 10 July throughout the summer to evaluate if it could be a viable long-term solution.
During this, plans will also be in place to ensure that deliveries and loading can go about unhindered, as well as daily waste collection and access for residents.
Councillor Mandie Shilton Godwin, Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment and Transport, said: “The Gay Village is one of our most precious communities. For decades the queer community has been able to call this neighbourhood its own, establishing a long and proud place in the history of the fight against bigotry and discrimination.
“Needless to say, it’s one of the most-visited places in Manchester and sees thousands of people tread its cobbled streets every year. Because of that we’re always looking at how we, as its custodians, can continue to support its legacy and ensure that it meets the needs of people who live and work there.
“We’re excited to be trialling additional outdoor seating for these streets, and we hope to bring the same success that we’ve seen in the Northern Quarter after putting similar schemes in place.
“But, above all this has to work for everyone, so I would urge people to take part in this consultation and help shape the future of the Gay Village.”
Georgina Pellant -
13th July 2022 
