SO Tommy Hilfiger, Crombie and Jaeger have all hopped it, following the likes of Monsoon, Timberland, Aubin & Wills, Duo and so on...
Sounds promising, let's hope he wasn't the chef de plongeur, eh?
But how do you solve a problem like King Street? Certainly not by unloading most of the property to miserly London-based companies too tight-arsed or indifferent to lower rents, hoiking up parking costs so everyone buggers off to Traffordzilla and, while we're at it, allowing squatters to annex a good chunk of the street to use as a base for smash and grabs on local businesses.
Six years back Confidential suggested (of course we're being self-congratulatory) a handful of cafes, bars and restaurants might just perk King Street up, animate the area, pull-in more punters...
Look what it's done for The Avenue.
Now it seems we're getting somewhere, as Quill - a new 200-capacity 'luxurious bar and eatery' - gets ready to open at the Deansgate end of King Street on Friday 30 October following the usual 'softs' and back-slapping VIP gobblefest. El Gato Negro isn't far off either.
Quill will occupy the former Duo space on King StreetQuill - which reportedly cost the best part of one million quid - comes from Chris Longmate and Gemma Cripwell, the folks behind Didsbury's Chalk restaurant (opened in May 2014 and reviewed here).
Their new restaurant - serving 'modren British with European influences' - will be split over two floors with a ground floor bar and an 80-cover restaurant on the first floor.
According to the spiel, the as yet unnamed new Head Chef 'has extensive experience in high end dining having working in multiple 4 AA Rosette rated and 3 AA Rosette rated restaurants, an AA Restaurant of the year and in a number of venues with 2 Michelin Stars'.
Sounds promising, let's hope he wasn't the chef de plongeur, eh?
READ MORE:
- Best MCR Restaurant Deals - September 2015 Edition
- Manchester Boozer Amongst UK's Top 16
- NEW - Cutting Room Restaurant For Resurgent Ancoats
Award-winning Newcastle-based interior design outfit, Collective Design, have been tasked with creating in Quill an 'opulent oasis' - which sounds like something Nicole Scherzinger might spout on a Muller pud ad.
“King Street really is the new location when it comes to high end venues and Quill will be an integral and central part to this,” said Longmate, tucking into his Muller Opulent Orange Oasis Fruit Corner.
"When we set out we wanted a refined dining experience for our customers and Collective Design have created a truly beautiful place to enjoy our food.
“And on the ground floor you will find something slightly different, with these cocktail stations and unique seating areas to enjoy our drinks offering.
"I see it as the place to escape to, an opulent oasis in Manchester," he ended, licking his spoon provocatively...
Follow @David8Blake on twitter
Quill, 20 King Street, M2 6AG opens fully from Friday 30 October.
