StreetSmart scheme adding £1 to each bill to battle homelessness

StreetSmart launched their latest campaign to combat homelessness this week, with 15 Manchester restaurants already involved in the scheme to raise funds for local homeless charities. 

The scheme, whereby restaurants add £1 to each of their bills throughout November and December, will see all funds raised go to local charities such as Centrepoint Manchester and The Booth Centre. 

We feel a responsibility to promote such a meaningful cause, knowing that real action is being taken to improve lives

With 15 restaurants, including mana, Hawksmoor Deansgate and Tampopo, already part of the scheme, there's still chance for restaurants to join and make a positive change in their local community.

While £1 could barely get you a bread basket on most menus, when added as part of the StreetSmart scheme it will go towards providing the likes of a bed, crisis support and emergency food for those struggling to break the cycle of homelessness. 

Glenn Pougnet, Director of StreetSmart said: “We are so grateful to the local restaurants who have come together to make a difference this year and we know that the generosity of Greater Mancunians will play a huge part too. Sadly, it is always the poorest in society who are most deeply affected by challenges like the cost of living crisis, which means that the work of the charities that we support becomes even more important right now.

"Our mission to eradicate homelessness from the streets remains firmly at the heart of what we do at StreetSmart, and we’d love to welcome even more restaurants to the scheme this Christmas. Please get in touch!”

2023 11 02 Streetsmart Scheme Body
StreetSmart's cards, with a message from Stephen Fry Image: StreetSmart

One of the restaurants taking part in StreetSmart 2023 is Michelin-starred Ancoats restaurant, mana. 

Simon Martin, Chef Patron at mana, said: “The team at mana are keen to work with StreetSmart again this winter. We are proud of our quiet corner of Manchester, but it does not shelter us from the reality of homelessness. We feel a responsibility to promote such a meaningful cause, knowing that real action is being taken to improve lives.”

The restaurants already signed up to the scheme include:

  • mana, Ancoats
  • Hawksmoor, Deansgate 
  • Tampopo: Albert Square, Manchester City Centre
  • Tampopo: Corn Exchange, Manchester City Centre
  • Banyan, Corn Exchange 
  • Banyan, Spinningfields 
  • Manahatta, Deansgate 
  • BOX, Deansgate
  • Bottega by San Carlo at Selfridges, Exchange Square
  • 20 Stories, Spinningfields
  • Street Urchin, Ancoats, Manchester City Centre
  • HOME Bar and Kitchen, First Street, Manchester City Centre
  • The Lead Station, Chorlton
  • Tariff and Dale, Northern Quarter
  • Stretford Canteen, Stretford

There’s still time for restaurants across the city region to get involved, so sign up by contacting siobhan@siobhanhanley.com or alex@siobhanhanley.com 

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