NEWLY released planning docs confirm what many already expected, Ed's Easy Diner will open in the former-Monsoon unit at 15 King Street later this year, if planning is approved.
Ed's will have to work considerably harder to convince punters an American themed-diner is deserving...
The London-based 'retro American diner' will occupy two levels of the Grade II-listed former-retail unit with a total of 137 covers spread across 5200 sq ft on the ground floor and basement levels.
First opened in Soho back in 1987, Ed's has been selling repackaged Americana to us Brits for over 25 years: wipe-clean red faux-leather, milkshakes, jukebox rock'n'roll and the lingering sense that Biff from Back To The Future is going to burst in and give you a good-hiding.
Food-wise, well... what do you expect from the nation that gave us 5XL and double-wide airplane seats: burgers, hotdogs, fried chicken, waffles and fries (and that's just breakfast). Mains range from £7 to £14.
Former-Monsoon site, 15 King Street
Following founder Barry Margolis' death in 2005 and a buy-out led by hospitality veteran, Andrew Guy, in 2009, Ed's quickly became one of the fastest growing restaurant chains in the UK, rising from three London outlets to nearly 40 nationwide diners in less than six years.
Alongside Manchester, Ed's will also launch in Belfast, Aberdeen and Inverness over the next few months, with plans to open 20 new diners in 2015 and up to 150 across the UK long-term.
Ed's Easy Diner will join new restaurants Quill and El Gato Negro in staging a food and drink resurgence on the flagging retail street in 2015; though Ed's will have to work considerably harder to convince punters yet another burger joint is deserving of one of Manchester's most high-profile and handsome sites.
A decision on the planning application is expected by 22 May 2015.
