HERE are the exclusive pictures from Jamie Oliver's new Italian restaurant due to open 20 February. 

Manchester seems to be on the verge of getting it's own banking bonus.

Gordo and I went along armed with a camera.

J Oliver was there himself doing publicity shots so we got a show around by Chloe Green, the restaurant's PR manager, and Neil Burke, the restaurant's general manager.  

Then someone pulled a big string in the back of the sweet man that is Gennaro Contaldo, and the restaurateur and TV personality, gave us a seamless monologue, chapter and verse, on the origin of the Jamie's Italian restaurants for half an hour. Despite this it was very entertaining. 

Then he fed us. This underlined the restaurant's mantra of always making sure the finest ingredients are sourced.

"We want the best of everything, at prices people can afford," said Contaldo.

Some Men With FoodMen With Food, famous chef on the left, infamous eater on the right

Jamie's Italian in Manchester occupies one of the city's great buildings Edwin Lutyens' Midland Bank designed in the twenties built in the early thirties.

The refit has shown huge respect for the old building - done it justice. This is a grand space in every way and should be a delight to eat within. Or maybe lounge around with a beer, or coffee or bottle of full red. 

The Vault lined in steel, with steel safety deposit boxes and ten inch steel doors will be an extraordinary place to dine - as long as you aren't claustrophobic. 

But then the 278 cover restaurant is full of impressive spaces. The wood panelled bank manager's office is also available for private dining. 

There will be  lots of staff, 130 of them, and the head chef will be Gareth Howard, recruited in-house from Jamie's Birmingham. 

There will also be lots of light, the Banking Hall in the main space has been taken full advantage of, and on the bright day we visited almost glowed. At night the scale and lighting effects will no doubt continue to enthrall. The space will be enlived by the movement of people and the buzz of chatter. 

It's all looking very good. Manchester seems to be on the verge of getting it's own banking bonus. 

You can follow Jonathan Schofield on Twitter here @JonathSchofield

Ground Floor View Of The Main Restaurant AreaGround Floor View Of The Main Restaurant Area

Elegant And Effortless Ceiling PatternElegant And Effortless Ceiling Pattern

Bank Clock Back To Working OrderBank Clock Back To Working Order

Gennaro Contaldo Takes A Massive Bite Out Of A HamGennaro Contaldo Takes A Massive Bite Out Of A Ham

Hamtastic BarHamtastic Bar

Through A Glass DarklyThrough A Glass Darkly

Detail From The Bank Woodwork, Tuscan Columns, Heavy Cornice, Triglyph With Perfect Guttae. Honestly This Is Real EnglishDetail From The Bank Woodwork, Tuscan Columns, Heavy Cornice, Triglyph With Perfect Guttae. Honestly This Is Real English

Crisp Wooden Details From The Original BankCrisp Wooden Details From The Original Bank

StairwellStairwell

Entrance To The Vault, Look At That Door. Don't Attempt A RunnerEntrance To The Vault, Look At That Door. Don't Attempt A Runner

Jamie's Italian King Street 036Jamie's Italian King Street 036

Private Dining In The Vault - It Will Offer A Special Jamie's Menu At Around %26#163%3B50.Private Dining In The Vault - It Will Offer A Special Jamie's Menu At Around 

Neil Burke - ManagerNeil Burke - Manager

Detail From The VaultDetail From The Vault

Safety Deposit Boxes In The VaultSafety Deposit Boxes In The Vault

Each Loo Could House A Nineteenth Century Mill Worker's FamilyEach Loo Could House A Nineteenth Century Mill Worker's Family

Sink In Ladies Loo Before Addition Of Sweet Smelling Soaps And PotionsSink In Ladies Loo Before Addition Of Sweet Smelling Soaps And Potions

Midland Bank Branding In The Wrought Ironwork, Topped With An UrnMidland Bank Branding In The Wrought Ironwork, Topped With An Urn

More Details From The Original BankMore Details From The Original Bank

Tops Of The Columns Finished Of With Edwin Lutyens' Trademark Delhi Order With Bells MotifTops Of The Columns Finished Of With Edwin Lutyens' Trademark Delhi Order With Bells Motif

View Of The Restaurant In The Former Banking HallView Of The Restaurant In The Former Banking Hall

View Of The Restaurant In The Former Banking Hall AgainView Of The Restaurant In The Former Banking Hall Again

Lamps, Windows And Light, Lots Of ItLamps, Windows And Light, Lots Of It

Jamie's Italian King Street 064Jamie's Italian, King Street 

Chef Gennaro Conrtaldo - The World's Fastest And Most Enthusiastic TalkerChef Gennaro Conrtaldo - The World's Fastest And Most Enthusiastic Talker

Food, Lovely Food, On A Massive Table Tennis BatFood, Lovely Food, On A Massive Table Tennis Bat

Jamie's Italian On King Street Gets First Visit From The GodfatherJamie's Italian On King Street Gets First Visit From The Godfather

Edwin's Beautiful Bank Now RestaurantEdwin's Beautiful Bank Now Restaurant

Entrance Hall DetailsEntrance Hall Details

Lutyen's Classic About To Set Sail AgainLutyens' Classic About To Set Sail Again

There's A New Kid On The BlockThere's A New Kid On The Block