Property
Common & Co first to sign up at new Kampus garden neighbourhood
The duo behind Manchester's top pints and biggest pizza slices are moving into the city's newest neighbourhood.
The Manc -
1st April 2021 
Manchester’s new £250m canalside neighbourhood has officially welcomed its first independent tenants – with Common & Co bringing pints and pizza slices to the complex from summer.
Owners of Northern Quarter bar Common have signed on the dotted line to open a new pub and Nell’s Pizza shop at the ‘Kampus’ development – which has been built as a joint venture between Capital & Centric and HBD.
Founded by husband and wife team Jonny and Charlotte Heyes, Common & Co is a mainstay in the Manchester hospitality scene – having served the city for over 15 years.
‘Cornerstone’ pub – the latest concept from the duo – will be a local hang-out at the heart of the Kampus community; described as “a traditional boozer reimagined for the 21st century”.
Common & Co is also bringing its legendary giant pizza slices to the city neighbourhood – with a Nell’s Pizza serving up its famous 22” New York style pizzas (which will be available as a whole pie or by the slice) next door.
Cornerstone and Nell’s will have outdoor seating alongside the Kampus garden overlooking the canal.
Both venues are expected to open in July.
The buzz surrounding Kampus has increased in recent weeks, with the first images of the waterside development being released in March.
Adam Higgins, co-founder at Capital & Centric said: “Kampus is all about the lush green garden and having the best independent food and drink operators in amongst it. Cornerstone will be at the heart of the Kampus community, just like the local pub should be. And if you fancy a bite to eat, you can walk right through to Nell’s to grab a slice of pizza to have with your pint
“More now so than ever, we really wanted to work with independent Manchester businesses and help them recover from what’s been a pretty crap year. Common were one of the first bars in the Northern Quarter and have become a Manchester institution. They’re going to be setting the tone for what we’re creating at Kampus: independent, laid back and for everyone. And the timing couldn’t be better as people start coming back into the city and life gets back to normal.”
Jonny Heyes, Common & Co added: “Kampus represents to me a development with a sense of purpose, it kind of knows what it’s about, what it’s for.
“Lots of developments end up being a bunch of buildings searching for a reason to be, furiously post-rationalising.
“We got the impression that the vision for Kampus would be something we, as an independent operator could get on board with. It will be a thoughtfully curated selection of independent businesses as part of a neighbourhood ecosystem, which is nice. All it was lacking was a pub (and a pizza shop).”
One and two bedroom apartments are available to view in North Block in Kampus from April.
Viewings can be booked online.
