The co-located commerce present reviews a 13.4% enhance in customer numbers, with industry-leading exhibitors and audio system drawing within the crowds
Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), and the newly launched lunch! NORTH, each sponsored by Uber Eats, have set new attendance data, marking a 13.4% enhance in comparison with final yr and cementing its credentials for being the largest commerce present within the North.
12,187 guests attended the 2 day commerce occasion in Manchester, which befell on Eleventh and twelfth March at Manchester Central, with over 400 meals, drink, tech and tools suppliers showcasing the easiest innovation throughout the sector.
Northern Restaurant & Bar 2025 noticed a jam-packed line up of interviews with among the {industry}’s most influential leaders, sharing perception and dialogue on the sector’s key developments and challenges.
In a keynote interview, Kate Nicholls OBE, Chief Government of UK Hospitality, addressed the mounting price pressures confronted by operators, the extreme influence of the latest finances—significantly the halving of the NIC threshold and regressive tax measures—and UK Hospitality’s efforts to professionalise extra roles throughout the sector.
Different standout moments included Simon Potts, CEO of The Alchemist, sharing his perspective on management in hospitality, managing nationwide websites, and the model’s potential worldwide enlargement. In the meantime, Roy Ellis, CEO and co-founder of Mission Mars, mentioned the expansion of Albert’s Schloss and Rudy’s, the evolving workers mindset, and hinted at an thrilling new idea within the works from the Mission Mars crew.
Chef Stay witnessed the culinary delights from the likes of Michelin star recipient Tom Barnes (Skof), Ruth Hansom (Hansom Restaurant & Wine Bar), and Danielle Heron (OSMA), every showcasing their signature strategies and improvements. The Pub & Bar Theatre hosted an unique interview with award-winning mixologist Joe Schofield (SCHOFIELD’S BAR), who shared insights into the challenges of launching a bartender-owned bar throughout COVID and supplied invaluable recommendation to aspiring bar house owners. The theatre additionally featured partaking panels on brewing improvements and the ever-evolving artwork of mixology.
The distinguished Kuits NRB High Fifty returned for its twelfth yr, celebrating fifty excellent Northern hospitality operators recognised for his or her industrial and demanding success over the previous yr. Particular achievement awards had been introduced to Archie’s, The Inn Assortment Group, and Daniel Schofield, Joe Schofield & James Brandwood.
On the identical time, lunch! NORTH made its debut at Manchester Central, catering to the North’s thriving café, espresso store, and food-to-go sector. As a northern counterpart to the award-winning lunch! commerce present, it was a convincing success in its inaugural yr.
Key highlights included an unique interview with Marta Pogroszewska, Managing Director of GAIL’s, who offered precious insights into the model’s speedy enlargement, the long-term retention of crew members, and GAIL’s imaginative and prescient for constructing a long-lasting legacy. Moreover, {industry} leaders reminiscent of Christian Binney (Burger King UK), Dimeji Sadiq (Vegan Shack), and William Gordon-Harris (Knoops) took the stage to share their views on model progress, operational methods, and enterprise ethos.
Reflecting on the occasion’s success, Siobhan Thompson, Occasion Supervisor for NRB25, acknowledged: “We’ve had a fully sensible present, with over 12,000 guests by means of the doorways. The standard of exhibitors and audio system this yr was distinctive, and Northern Restaurant & Bar continues to be a must-attend occasion for {industry} professionals. It’s inspiring to see so many operators come collectively, demonstrating their dedication and keenness for northern hospitality. We’re already wanting ahead to subsequent yr’s occasion.”
Katie Tyler, Occasion Director for lunch! NORTH, additionally commented: “We’re so happy with the unimaginable success of the first-ever lunch! NORTH present, with excellent suggestions from exhibitors and patrons alike. It was two days stuffed with inspiration, insights, and networking, bringing collectively the easiest from the café, espresso store, and food-to-go sector within the North. We’re already excited to make subsequent yr’s occasion even larger and higher!”
Christian Townsley, Founding father of North Bar and speaker on the occasion, remarked, “NRB is a must-attend occasion, a novel annual event that showcases the power and variety of the northern hospitality {industry}. It brings collectively {industry} buddies from throughout the north below one roof, the place we share insights, challenges, and successes, all whereas inspiring one another.”
Sam Grainger, Co-founder of COS Hospo / OG Hospo and panellist on the present, additionally shared his ideas: “NRB is without doubt one of the most essential dates within the yr, not solely to see new merchandise, tools, and providers on provide however for all of the implausible minds of eating places within the North to come back collectively, socialise, and put their heads collectively to maintain pushing the superb hospitality companies now we have right here.”
Andy Howitt, On Commerce Controller at Ellers Farm Distillery / Dutch Barn Vodka and NRB25 exhibitor, added: “We’ll by no means miss NRB – it’s merely the perfect commerce present, fingers down.”
Matt Crocker, founding father of Re-Water and exhibitor on the inaugural lunch! NORTH, shared his enthusiasm: “lunch! NORTH is our new favourite commerce present – the attendees had been actually high-quality and we’ve already booked for 2026.”
The date for subsequent yr’s even larger Northern Restaurant & Bar has already been set and can happen on Tenth-Eleventh March 2026, similtaneously lunch! NORTH. To register your curiosity in attending or to ebook a stand, head to: www.northernrestaurantbar.co.uk.
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