Your bumper briefing of news and what to look out for
Hospitality heads respond to the budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday (30 October) delivered Labour’s first budget since 2010 and in doing so dealt something of a blow to British hospitality businesses, according to industry heads.
The decision to increase employers’ National Insurance (NI) contributions from 13.8% to 15%, along with lowering the threshold at which businesses start paying NI on a workers' earnings from £9,100 to £5,000, has been met with concern in the industry.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “This Budget is the latest blow for hospitality businesses. Rising taxes, increasing costs and fragile consumer confidence risk bringing growth to a grinding halt.
“In the short-term, the tsunami of employment costs coming in April will ultimately do more to hamper growth than incentivise it. Increases to employer NICs and wages will make it harder for businesses to support employment and invest in their businesses.
“Avoiding the business rates cliff-edge next April was critical and it was important that some relief has been extended. However, the reduced level of 40% is another cost that businesses have to deal with. For those small- and medium-sized operators, their rates bills will still go up in April.
“All of this means that 2025 will be painful for hospitality, with an increased annual tax bill of £3 billion for the sector.”
Nicholls did see some positive rays of light in the budget, highlighting the importance of lowering business rates.
“However, there are reasons for longer-term positivity,” she said. “I am pleased that the Chancellor is implementing UKHospitality’s recommendation for a permanently lower level of business rates for hospitality. Levelling the playing field in this way recognises the importance of the high street and the role it plays in our communities and economy.
“We need to see the detail and the Government must work with the sector in the design and delivery of this significant change to get it right.”
There was similar outcry and concern from hospitality heads, with Paul Askew, Chef Patron and owner of The Art School in Liverpool saying: “The new government has increased costs for hospitality in today’s budget. And they’ve given nothing whatsoever in terms of recalibration or support, nor showing any understanding of the situation we are all in across the entire industry.
“2025 is going to be another fraught year, with upwards of £3billion in extra taxation to contend with on top of many other ongoing challenges that are not going away anytime soon.”
Street Smart returns with more restaurants tackling homeless
Street Smart, the fundraising initiative where restaurants across Greater Manchester join forces to support local homeless charities, launched its latest campaign today (1 November).
The scheme sees restaurants add £1 to every bill over November and December, with all the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations.
Following last year’s total of £25,000 - and a whopping £1m raised nationwide - the funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, which funds Independent Living Advisors for young people, and Akt, a charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 into safe homes, employment, education, or training.
The restaurants signed up so far include Banyan, Climat, 20 Stories and Restaurant Orme, and you can join the scheme here.
Glenn Pougnet, Director of StreetSmart said: “Many of us want to help the vulnerable people in our community during the festive period, and StreetSmart provides an easy way to do this. The figures from last year show how even £1 added to a bill can make a huge difference.
“We’re grateful to see so many local restaurants stepping forward to help our city’s homeless. It’s amazing to witness the kindness that our community has to offer, and see the tangible impact of our efforts and funding in the community. This year, we’re proud to be taking another step towards the eradication of homelessness, and look forward to seeing even more restaurants getting involved over the Christmas period.”
Atomeca multiplies
The Schofield Brothers open their second Atomeca site today (Friday 1 November) following the success of their Deansgate Square site.
Atomeca Wine Bar, on The Avenue in Spinningfields, will serve small plates alongside an extensive wine menu, coffee and cocktails inspired by continental Europe.
For more information visit their Instagram.
Ribeye opening pan-Asian restaurant
Ribeye is set to open a new pan-Asian restaurant in New Bailey this November.
Shikuru will open on Saturday 9 November in the former Firefly site, and promises to be “the city’s ultimate Pan-Asian dining experience, blending authentic flavours from across Asia, with the freshest ingredients and innovative cooking techniques.”
The menu will offer 16 small plates alongside 8 standout main dishes, with sides, soups and salads also available, ensuring there’s something for everyone. For those seeking an exclusive experience, Shiruku will offer three private dining rooms that can seat 16, 18, or 22 guests.
Sohail Kaushal, owner of Ribeye and Shiruku said: “Our goal is to bring something fresh and innovative to Manchester, combining the richness of true Pan-Asian flavours. With Shiruku, I wanted to create a new dynamic to the market and a place where everyone can enjoy the authentic taste of Asia in a refined, inclusive environment.”
Cosy winter cabins are back at Blackfriar
Winter at The Black Friar is back, and the Salford favourite is seeing in the festive season with the return of its winter cabins, The Tavern and a festive menu.
Running from 18 November to 30 December, The Black Friar’s festive menu features the likes of lobster and prawn Scotch egg, goat's cheese and mushroom terrine, turkey ballotine, and their signature Black Friar steak and ale pie along with desserts like Baileys and salted caramel yule log and caramelised gingerbread cake.
For more information about booking The Tavern or Winter Cabins visit their website.
Legendary rock photographer to speak at Manchester Art Fair
Music photographer Scarlet Page will be appearing at this year’s Manchester Art Fair (15-17 November), giving exclusive insight into her 30-year career capturing some of music’s greatest icons.
Born into the business as the daughter of Led Zeppelin great Jimmy Page, she went on to photograph the likes of The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Oasis and Amy Winehouse.
Speaking ahead of the event, Scarlet said: "I am deeply honoured to showcase my work, hosted by The Art Hound Gallery, alongside such extraordinary artists at Manchester Art Fair.
“Celebrating thirty years as a photographer, it's a privilege to reflect on the intimate moments I've captured of some of the world’s greatest musicians.”
For more information and to book tickets visit the Manchester Art Fair website.
Brandenburg Concertos come to Bridgewater Hall
J.S Bach’s sublime Brandenburg Concertos are currently on tour and all six will be performed by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at The Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday 5 November.
The performance is a rare opportunity to hear the Brandenburg Concertos as the composer intended: on authentic original instruments, with animal gut strings and valveless brass. OAE will recreate Bach’s stunning sound world, just as the composer envisioned, in the glorious setting of Bridgewater Hall.
With tickets starting from just £8 you can get yours here.
Opera North lands at The Lowry
Opera North returns to The Lowry this month with a series of performances including Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mozart’s The Magic Flute and a matinee family show.
Running from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 November, it will see a series of revivals of classic operas and promises to bring “magic, mystery and a host of spooky ancestors and bridesmaids.”
For more information and to book tickets visit their website.
W.H. Lung release new album ahead of homecoming gig
No, not the Chinese supermarket, the Mancunian synth pop quintet.
W.H. Lung have released their third album, Every Inch of Earth Pulsates, to a raft of acclaim and look ahead to a homecoming gig at New Century Hall on Saturday 16 November.
The album was recorded in Sheffield with Ross Orton (MIA, Arctic Monkeys), who the band say harnessed a side of them less-explored on their previous two releases, Incidental Music (2019) and Vanities (2021).
“Ross is the Sheffield Steve Albini,” said singer Joseph Evans. “He’s the king of not overthinking it and trusting the process of the art of recording songs. He was always there to stop us fucking around with cerebral stuff and get it down.”
“He was the exact producer we needed without us even realising.” said Guitarist Tom Sharkett. “His productions and mixes are bombastic, lively and in your face. He brought a real dose of magic to the songs we’d written.”
Norah Store celebrates first birthday at Common
Ancoats independent clothes shop The Norah Store celebrates its first birthday today with a party at Common on Edge Street, NQ.
Stocking rare, independent and upcoming designers from around the world, The Norah Store started as an online affair before taking up a bricks and mortar site on Henry Street last year and extolling the virtues of ‘living fast and shopping slow’.
The party, with pizza laid on by Nell’s, will celebrate with an exhibition of its AW24 campaign curated by artist Ben Barbetta Thompson, shot by photographer Luke Pickering as well as its campaign film by Lewis Holgate.
“What a year it’s been!” they said in a post on Instagram. “Norah Store wouldn’t be where it is without the team and community in Manchester, and we will be celebrating the incredibly creative community. Can’t wait to see you there! P.S I will probs cry.”
Picture of the Week
Today’s Picture of the week comes courtesy of Ōdiobā in Stockport’s Underbanks.
It’s an adorable dog named Paak in front of a fuckoff speaker, what more do I need to say?
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