A GANG of three to four armed robbers broke into Spinningfields' Manchester House restaurant on Bridge Street late last night and threatened staff with knives.

Reports suggest the men had attempted to break into Neighbourhood before moving on to Manchester House

According to a spokesperson for restaurant group Living Ventures, the thieves accessed the second floor restaurant via the Masonic Hall on Bridge Street, which is currently under redevelopment as 'Manchester Hall'.

"They've come in from the roof of the Masonic Hall next door," the spokesperson told Confidential. "Luckily it was late and there were no customers and only a handful of staff left in the restaurant.

"They threatened the staff with knives and took some cash. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.

"However, we've heard from the police that they've caught one of the suspects carrying the cash."

.The armed thieves targeted Manchester House restaurant and threatened staff with knives

Confidential understands it wasn't only Manchester House the armed robbers were targeting, with police reporting they'd attempted to break into Spinningfields' celeb-favourite Neighbourhood beforehand.

A police spokesperson said: "We were called to the venue around 12.50am on Tuesday 12 May following reports that three to four men had broken into the Manchester House restaurant.

"Reports suggest the men had attempted to break into Neighbourhood before moving on to Manchester House."

"The thieves grabbed around £2,000 worth of spirits but left them and instead escaped with cash bags containing an unknown amount.

"Police apprehended a 25-year-old suspect on suspicion of robbery and he remains in police custody.

"The remaining suspects are still at large, however, police are currently working through the area's extensive CCTV network in order to track them down."

It's been an unfortunate month for the Living Ventures group - who operate Manchester's Alchemist, Australasia and Oast House venues - after their Botanist bar restaurant on Deansgate was targeted by thieves only a few weeks ago.

Last month also saw Northern Quarter's popular Luck Lust Liquor and Burn bar and restaurant hit by thieves in what was described as an 'Ocean's Eleven' job, while last week police issued a warning following a spate of raids on staff rooms in coffee shops on Exchange Square, Cross Street and Oxford Road.