MANCHESTER’s rampant restaurant scene is continuing to close the gap on London, according to new research.
...surely it can be argued that the North of England is one of Europe’s most exciting gastronomic destinations?
The study, conducted by Northern Restaurant & Bar organisers Holden Media, has revealed that Northern cities are increasingly challenging London for the title of the UK’s most restaurant dense region.
Surprisingly, Newcastle has come out on top in the North, with one restaurant for every 1,558 residents, followed closely by Manchester with 1,576 residents per restaurant (the latest census data gives a population estimate of 520,000 for the city of Manchester).
In third is York, with one restaurant for every 1,585 residents, followed by Liverpool (1,996), Chester (2,595), Leeds (2,598), Carlisle (2,701), Sheffield (2,750), Preston (2,809) and Sunderland (3,418).
The North as a whole has seen the number of residents per restaurant fall 18% between 2011 and 2015, compared to only 13% in London.
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So what’s driving the push? A combination of affordable set up costs, increased tourism to northern cities and a more ‘sophisticated audience’, according to industry insiders.
Thom Hetherington, CEO of Holden Media, said: “London is a global gastronomic city, but clearly the North of England is catching up at a rate of knots, not least because it is possible for cash-strapped but talented chefs to set up their own ventures and cook their hearts out for an appreciative audience. This research explains exactly why our visitor numbers at the Northern Restaurant & Bar show are booming.
“With its glut of new restaurants offering diverse dining of the highest order surely it can be argued that the North of England is one of Europe’s most exciting gastronomic destinations?”
The North’s largest hospitality show, Northern Restaurant & Bar, returns to Manchester Central next week (15-16 March).
northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk
NRB 2015
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