The developers behind the £30m transformation of Manchester’s Corn Exchange have confirmed that at least a dozen caterers have already sign up for space at the prestige-dining destination.
Building work on the Grade II listed building is set to be completed by early next summer with the first restaurants opening in July. Among the first will be an outlet for Mexican street food eatery Wahaca, founded by the first female Masterchef winner, Thomasina Miers.
The market food inspired chain launched its first restaurant in London’s Covent Garden. Its planned opening in the historic Corn Exchange would be only its second site outside London.
“Since we opened our first restaurant in 2007, we’ve had countless tweets and messages asking us to head to Manchester, so we hope everyone there will be as excited as we are to be bringing our tacos to town,” said a Wahaca spokesman.
“We’re really excited to be bringing Wahaca and our style of fresh and vibrant Mexican market eating to Manchester next summer.”
The company will be among 13 other restaurants and fast food outlets taking space in the former Triangle building in Exchange Square with cuisines ranging from Italian, Brazilian and Vietnamese.
Two of the restaurants will be Salvi’s Deli and Tampopo, both of which had premises in the pre-regeneration building. Others include Italian restaurant Vapiano, Cabana Brazilian Barbecue, The Cosy Club, Banyan Kitchen and Bar, and Vietnamese street food vender Pho.
Talks are also underway with several hotel operators interested in moving into the 86-room boutique hotel to be located on the Exchange’s upper floors of the food and drink emporium.
Jon Munce, of Queensberry Real Estate, is overseeing the transformation on behalf of Corn Exchange owners Aviva. “We’ve got a great line up of local, regional, and national restaurant operators who will offer a broad range of casual dining options designed to suit the huge footfall the area attracts both in the day and evening,” he explained.
“Interest has been fantastic and we are now in discussions with operators for the final few units in the restaurant part of the development.”
The iconic building’s new layout gives all sit-in restaurants street access and an open view along one of the buildings three sides with the central atrium and dome being used for year-round, all-weather al-fresco dining. Improvement work in partnership with the city council will is opening up nearby streets and making the area more inviting.
“These pathways are being designed so people can walk through the site, pick up a coffee or croissant on the way to work, or drop in for a meal or a glass of wine on the way back,” Munce said.
“We believe it will enhance the area of the city and people will like what is on offer. When it was a retail destination, it suffered with a lack of footfall which is why it just didn’t work.”
Aviva Property Investors Trust has always hoped its scheme would provide Manchester with a selection of eateries the city has not previously attracted. “Manchester Corn Exchange, has a rich commercial heritage and this planned development will build on this, we want to ensure it continues to play a vital future role in the commercial heart of the city,” said spokesman Simon Green.
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