Food and Drink5 Ways Food Businesses are Thriving in Manchester

5 Ways Food Businesses are Thriving in Manchester

Manchester’s food and drink scene are thriving again. While the restaurant scenes of many other major cities in the UK have tipped into a decline, new restaurants and cafes in Manchester are growing. In fact, the past 12 months have seen a 1.3% increase in new dining spots popping up. So, what could be the reason behind this?

Here are ways food businesses are thriving in Manchester.

  • The Whole Industry is Succeeding Throughout the City 

According to research done by CGA, a leading food industry research body, the food & drink sector of Manchester is growing more quickly compared to any other city in the UK. The number of new restaurants opening has grown steadily by 22% in the past five years. 

Across the country, the number of restaurants has declined by 3.4% in the past year, which means about 18 restaurants are closing each week. But in Manchester, it’s a different scene. The number of restaurants in the city has risen to more than a quarter in the past five years.

  • Constantly Brushing up on Skillsets 

There are many reasons the food & drink industry in Manchester continues to thrive, but this may have something to do with the fact that these establishments are constantly brushing up on their skill sets. 

You need to possess some skills to run a restaurant successfully. What’s great about most restaurants in Manchester is they continue to hone their skills to compete with some of the biggest names in the industry, even if that means spending money training their employees with the best chefs.

  • Preparing for Assessment

Another reason behind the success of the Manchester food industry is that the establishments are well-prepared for assessment, allowing them to maintain good food hygiene ratings. They give importance to food hygiene training to prepare for the inspection. Many successful businesses in Manchester are constantly working to prepare for the assessment by updating their food hygiene, something that may have contributed to the overall success of the city’s thriving food industry.

  • Choosing the Right Premises 

Many of the dining establishments in Manchester have chosen to set up in a location ideal for attracting customers, which is one of the reasons behind their success. These are locations where people are constantly searching for food to eat. 

Aside from choosing the right location, these businesses religiously comply with the necessary regulations. For instance, they keep their premises clean and well-maintained and ensure that everyone follows good food hygiene practices, including implementing protection against contamination.

  • Catering to a Sophisticated Market 

Some restaurants in Manchester made a success by tapping into a sophisticated market. The city may not have any Michelin-starred restaurants yet. However, more and more restaurants are venturing into mid-scale and upscale offerings because they know that the sophisticated dining market is profitable. 

When you venture into the sophisticated dining scene, you will offer upscale experiences to diners willing to pay a premium. You will cater to a wealthy clientele who are more than happy to spend a fortune on luxurious dining experiences.

News Desk
News Deskhttps://www.businessmanchester.co.uk/
The Business Manchester News Desk team is a collective of experienced journalists and editors dedicated to delivering comprehensive business news and insights from the Manchester area and beyond. With a strong background in finance, technology, property, and innovation, our team ensures that our readers stay well-informed about the latest trends and developments in the business world. Through in-depth reports and insightful analysis, the Business Manchester News Desk team is committed to providing high-quality journalism to its audience.
Latest

Tributes paid to ‘giant’ of Manchester politics, councillor Pat Karney

Tributes are being paid to councillor Pat Karney (78) who has died serving the city for almost half a century. Councillor Karney, who was receiving...

Six European food and drink pairings to refresh autumn menus and retail displays

LONDON, UK. October 13th, 2026 - As autumn inspires a return to richer flavours and comforting seasonal dishes, six distinctive pairings featuring protected European...

Southbank Centre to Share How Employee Feedback Drives Meaningful Change

LONDON, UK. October 13th, 2026: Employee feedback can offer valuable insight, but its impact depends on what happens next. A forthcoming People Insight webinar...

New Research Reveals Young Business Owners Now Largest Demographic Seeking Accountancy Support

WARRINGTON, UK. October 13th, 2026 - 25–34 year olds make up the largest share of people seeking accountancy support, and almost half are under...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

Record Cat Welfare Petition Puts Road Collision Reporting Laws Under Parliamentary Scrutiny

STOURBRIDGE, UK. October 8th, 2026 – A landmark campaign led by feline welfare organisation CatsMatter is set to bring renewed attention to the legal...

Lease Options Mastery Restarts In-Person Property Training Following Six-Month Break

LIVERPOOL, UK, October 8, 2026: Lease Options Mastery, the property education academy founded by UK property entrepreneur and investor Nicky Greer, has brought its...

Aesthetic Balance expands with acquisition of Wollaston Beauty Clinic

STOURBRIDGE, UK, October 8, 2026: Aesthetic Balance, the Stourbridge-based aesthetics clinic founded by Dr Nicky Westwood, has acquired Wollaston Beauty Clinic in a move...

How to find the best EOR providers for hiring tech professionals

When you're scaling an engineering team across borders, the last thing you want is a six-month entity setup blocking a hire who needs to...

More News

Six European food and drink pairings to refresh autumn menus and retail displays

LONDON, UK. October 13th, 2026 - As autumn inspires a return to richer flavours and comforting seasonal dishes, six distinctive pairings featuring protected European...

Quality and discovery to shape festive drinking as authenticity takes centre stage in 2026

LONDON, UK. October 5th, 2026 - Christmas drinking is set to become more thoughtful in 2026, with consumers placing greater importance on quality, provenance...

Manchester’s newest food experience offers businesses a Christmas party with a difference

For businesses looking for an alternative to the traditional Christmas party this year, Food Escapes allows you to swap the standard format for an immersive city-wide...