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The restaurants, bars and cultural institutions shortlisted in the This is Manchester Awards 2023

What a line-up!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 26th September 2023

The shortlist for 2023’s This is Manchester Awards has been announced, celebrating incredible talent across Greater Manchester.

Hundreds of businesses and individuals submitted detailed nominations across 15 categories, with the awards championing industries including arts and culture, hospitality, fashion, and the night-time economy.

A judging panel of experts have narrowed down all the entries to come up with the shortlist that’s been announced this morning.

The winners of the This is Manchester Awards will be announced in a ceremony on 9 November 2023, at Emirates Old Trafford.

Awards categories include Leading Restaurant Awards (split into casual and formal), Leading Hotel of the Year, and Leading Live Event Award.

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New for this year is the Dianne Oxberry Special Impact Award, created in partnership with the late presenter’s family and close friends. The award will recognise an individual who has faced adversity and won and, by doing so, has left a lasting legacy across the region.

10 worthy recipients have been shortlisted in this category, the winner of which has been chosen in partnership with Dianne’s husband Ian Hindle and the trust.

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This is Manchester Awards founder and organiser Ziara Siddique, said: “We’ve literally received hundreds of real entries for the this years awards – we’ve been totally bowled over by the sheer standard and numbers are bigger and stronger each year. 

“It’s amazing to be able to showcase all the incredible talent from across the region.

“I’m also incredibly humbled to have the support of Dianne Oxberry’s family for this years very special award that we know will do her legacy proud.”

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Winners will be announced at an awards evening hosted by Jenny Powell and Scott Thomas in front of 600 guests in November.

The This is Manchester Awards 2023 shortlist

The This is Manchester Awards 2023 shortlist has been announced
The This is Manchester Awards 2023 shortlist has been announced

Leading Restaurant Award (Formal)

  • 20 Stories
  • Australasia
  • Eagle & Child
  • Fazenda
  • Hawksmoor
  • The Ivy Asia, Manchester
  • WOOD Restaurant
  • El Gato Negro Manchester

Leading Restaurant Award (Casual)

  • Colleens
  • Codi’s Kitchen
  • Hampton & Voúis
  • The Ivy Spinningfields Brasserie
  • Holcombe Tap
  • Maray Manchester
  • Purezza
  • The Refuge
  • TNQ Restaurant & Bar
  • Canto

Leading Chef Of The Year Award

  • Scott Munro – Ducie Street Warehouse
  • Anthony Fielden – TNQ Restaurant & Bar
  • Thomas Ince – The Refuge
  • Simon Wood – Wood Restaurants
  • Will Taplin – Ramona, Firehouse, Diecast
  • Daniel Scott – 20 Stories
  • Matthew Downes – Edwardian Hotels
  • Simon Shaw – Mills Hills Development Limited

Leading Bar / Club Of The Year Award

  • Albert’s Schloss, Manchester
  • The Liquor Store
  • The Refuge
  • Leno Ex Machina
  • 20 Stories
  • Project Halcyon

Leading Hotel Of The Year Award

  • Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
  • INNSiDE Manchester
  • LEVEN Manchester
  • Dakota Manchester
  • King Street Townhouse
  • Hilton Garden Inn, Emirates Old Trafford
  • The Jacksonheim Boutique
  • The Lowry Hotel
  • Hotel Football
  • Hyatt Manchester

Leading Newcomer

  • Madre
  • The Padel Club Ltd
  • Sophie Gwilliam
  • Love Factory
  • Bask
  • Leno Ex Machina
  • Ciaooo Loaded Garlic Bread
  • New Century

Leading Live Event Award

  • Men’s Ashes Test Match at Emirates Old Trafford
  • Dream The Impossible, The Sequel – Tim Bacon Foundation
  • Paintvine
  • Opal’s Comet – Mr Wilson’s
  • Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity DJ Battle
  • Health Careers Live 2023 – Produced by Imagine X Global
  • Raise The Roof by Rain Dance Colour Festival – An Imagine X Global Brand
  • Bolton Food & Drink Festival
  • La Discothèque

Leading Live Event Venue Award

  • Manchester Central
  • Love Factory
  • Victoria Warehouse
  • Lancashire Cricket, Emirates Old Trafford
  • Albert Hall

Leading Arts & Culture Venue

  • The Portico Library
  • Octagon Theatre Bolton
  • Hope Mill Theatre
  • Underfound
  • GFF Damian Dance Studio

Force for Fashion Awards

  • Sculpt Activewear
  • Underfound
  • H-E-R
  • CRESS MARKETPLACE
  • NKD Apparel
  • Mars The Label
  • Joanie
  • Castore
  • Zeynep Kartal

Leading Technology / Digital Innovator

  • Health Careers Live Workforce Platform Produced by Imagine X Global
  • Electricity North West
  • HACE: Data Changing Child Labour
  • GigPig
  • Lydia Jones- Housemates / The Mates Group
  • Tapdonate
  • Versori
  • G6 Motion Control
  • BRSK
  • Godel Technologies
  • CarFinance 247

Individuals and/or Organisations Promoting Well-Being

  • The Medika Clinic
  • Health Careers Live – Produced by Imagine X Global
  • Foundation 92
  • Lee Chambers
  • Samaritans, Manchester
  • Ringway Dental
  • GINKGO Herbs & Health
  • Dancing with Dementia
  • The Padel Club Ltd

Organisation Making A Difference In The Community

  • Change The Youth NW
  • University Academy 92 (UA92)
  • Manchester Originals
  • Manchester Cares
  • Together Money
  • Tim Bacon Foundation
  • Lancashire Cricket Foundation
  • Foundation 92
  • The Joshua Tree
  • Tandem Bank
  • NQ Legacy
  • Hits Radio Manchester Cash for Kids
  • CarFinance 247

Individual Making A Difference in The Community

  • Judith Vickers – Lifeshare
  • Jane Kenyon – Girls Out Loud
  • Ed Wellard – Withington Walls
  • Qaisra Shahraz MBE JP FRSA – Macfest
  • Ryan Hughes – Mr Investa
  • Justin Eagleton – Maggie’s Manchester
  • Matt Peacock – 3 Peaks 1 Peacock
  • Lee Jeffrey – Northern User Experience (NUX)
  • Loveartpix
  • Latisha Monique Pemberton – NQ Legacy
  • Saladin Private Security
  • Georgia Fitzgerald – The Juice Academy
  • Jeremy Roberts – Tim Bacon Foundation

The Diane Oxberry – Special Impact Award

  • Michael Adex
  • Loveartpix
  • Hannah Cheetham
  • Jo Taylor
  • Khatra Paterson
  • Judith Vickers
  • Chereece Bateson
  • Figen Murray
  • Katie Geland
  • Steve Hill MBE

For limited ticket and table availability please email [email protected] or telephone 0161 6670898 – please note priority will be given to representatives from award nominees.

You can see the full shortlist on the This is Manchester Awards website here.

Featured image:

What's On

‘Glittering winter adventure’ set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The magnificent grounds of Tatton Park will be transformed into a ‘glittering winter adventure’ this festive season.

With spooky season now a thing of the past, and Christmas merely a few weeks away, families will soon be whisked away into a world of folklore, enchantment, and enthralling performances as they enter the gardens of the stunning Tatton Park in Cheshire for an immersive, festival-like experience known as Yuletide.

Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a “truly magical experience” where folklore stories come to life through storytelling and live music.

A ‘glittering winter adventure’ is set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas / Credit: Supplied

All set to transport visitors right into the heart of Yuletide tales, the exciting new event – which opens next weekend, and runs through until late December – is produced by Wild Rumpus, who you may know for other magical local events such as ‘The Lanterns’ at Chester Zoo (2018-2022) and Just So Festival.

The highlight of this new event has to be The Glittering Trail, where beautifully-illuminated puppets and performers bring legendary stories of Yuletide to life as visitors wander through the park’s popular Japanese Gardens and make the most of the stunning winter landscape.

Families can gather around an open fire to toast marshmallows, all while they watch live performances that add even more magic to the evening.

Yuletide will be running at Tatton Park on selected dates from Saturday 16 November through to Monday 23 December, and tickets are on sale now – with adult tickets costing £20, children paying just £12 each, and free personal assistant passes are also available.

Read more:

Find out more and book your tickets here.

Featured Image – Supplied

What's On

How to look after your cats and dogs this Bonfire Night

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Tips for cats and dogs Bonfire Night 2024

Bonfire Night may be a blessing for some families who can take advantage of the beautifully lit sky and incredible views, but for those who own cats or dogs, this isn’t necessarily the case.

When it comes to your furry friends then simply turning to their owners is usually the best point of call, but sometimes it’s still good to have a quick refresher on how to spot when your pet is in distress.

Luxury clothing retailer, Joules, is one of those leading research this year as they provide a list of tips and tricks on how to notice a change in your dog’s behaviour, soothe your cat’s stress and just generally make things more manageable for your four-legged companions.

72% of cat and dog owners see a change in their pets’ behaviour over this season, with 68% saying that they are frightened by the loud noises. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips on how to take care of your cats and dogs this Bonfire Night.

How to create a safe space for pets on Bonfire Night

Cover your windows where possible

Closing the curtains is always a good start; although this may not reduce the noise fully, it will help to block out the flashes from those pesky fireworks and even dial those big bangs down slightly.

In order to combat sudden light changes, dog owners are advised to keep their lights on, this way the animals are used to this setting and there are no drastic differences.

Try to block out the noise with your own

Radio station Classic FM hosts their calming show on Bonfire Night every year and 2024 seems no different with Charlotte Hawkins and Dan Walker curating a pet-friendly playlist for all to enjoy.

I mean, come on, how lovely is this?

Keep them occupied

The simplest thing you can do is just make sure you’re there for your animals; much like us humans, they don’t like to deal with things on their own and sometimes it’s nice to have a helping hand by their side for reassurance – especially when that includes some always welcome petting.

It’s also good to keep their minds occupied by playing games and interactive activities with them to distract their cute little faces from all the madness outside.

Stay calm yourself

It might sound a little self-involved but it’s also important that alongside keeping your dogs and cats company and playing with them, make sure to keep calm yourself, much like your children and little ones you know, dogs are very reactive and can pick up on emotions easily.

As much as this information may be handy, you still know your pet best, so reacting to their behaviour and catering to their needs is definitely a must.

There are also some easy ways to spot something’s up…

how to look after cats fireworks
Joules worked with animal behaviourist Kimberly Grundy to help develop these helpful Bonfire Night tips cats and dogs.
how to keep dogs calm on guy fawkes night
They are one of many retailers that stock comforting cushions and blankets that are perfect for these occasions.

Read more:

Nine signs to be aware of:

The best way to spot any changes in your dog or cat’s behaviour is to look for these nine surefire signs – if you spot them, they’re most likely feeling unsettled by the celebrations.

  1. Whining or barking – this will include whimpering, crying, barking, and growling.
  2. Clinginess – i.e. more than normal.
  3. Excessive panting or drooling – can signal anxiety and distress instead of the usual excitement.
  4. Hiding or trying to find a safe space
  5. Trying to escape – make sure your doors and windows are locked and dog/cat flaps are covered.
  6. Trembling and shaking – soothing strokes can still work wonders.
  7. Pacing or restlessness – if you can get them to just sit with you that’s a step in the right direction.
  8. Loss of appetite – but don’t try and force them to eat though, the goal is to help them relax.
  9. Dilated pupils

Whether you’re cosying up to your cat or dog, or venturing out to a bonfire, make sure you stay safe this November and most importantly have fun!

You can find all the rest of the events happening for Guy Fawkes Night 2024 here:

The big Manchester guide to Bonfire Night – everything you need to know

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied/Sebastian Hietsch (via Pexels)/Jeremy Wheaton (via Flickr)/Raxpixel

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