The 700-capacity food hall planned for Ducie Street Warehouse in Manchester city centre will now open in June 2027, according to an update from its parent company, Street Food Holdings.
Initially, 'Manchester Street Food' was due to launch this summer with 11 street food traders, two bars, a 32-seater mini cinema, and a self-service beer wall. Earlier plans also outlined space for two stages, a games room and rotating guest traders.
Venue and expansion plans
Ducie Street Warehouse, a Grade II-listed building near Piccadilly Train Station, was built in 1867 to store cotton bales for the cotton trade. It was originally intended for use by the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway (MS&LR) and has most recently been known for its aparthotel, restaurants, bar, cinema and gym.
The update on Street Food Holdings reveals that the company is eyeing a national expansion programme targeting a new UK venue every 18 months. Edinburgh Street Food, which opened in March 2023, will open its second, 700-cover venue in Manchester in June 2027, incorporating a mini-cinema, games room and private-hire space, as well as providing food service, including breakfast and room service, to the aparthotel above.
Details of the Manchester venue
Back in March, it was stated that the new Manchester venue would boast 450 internal covers including a 75-cover private hire space and garden, while the south facing terrace will accommodate a further 180 covers and be home to guest traders.
The venue is expected to generate hundreds of employee opportunities, expanding into Manchester's hospitality industry. The team behind Manchester Street Food has also said previously that 'community engagement and having a social impact are at the heart of MSF plans to become part of Manchester’s ecosystem'.
The group has also created a board-level Commercial Director position with responsibility for the Manchester launch and future sites as part of the role.
What to expect from the food hall
Building on its success in Edinburgh, which opened in February 2023 and has completed one million transactions per year since, the newly envisaged Ducie Street venue can expect a range of cuisines to be showcased.
At its current Edinburgh site, cuisines include Hook & Heat Fish Co serving up signature fish and chips, spice bags and tempura prawns, a Lebanese street food spot specialising in wraps, grill platters and sharing boxes, and Antojitos, an award-winning Mexican street food concept with dishes ranging from tacos, nachos and ribs, as well as sides.
The venue also serves up fried chicken, Indian bistro dishes and smashed burgers, as well as authentic Japanese food, Peruvian specialities, pizzas, BBQ, ice cream, coffee and a range of drinks. Its regular events programme includes quizzes, Bingo, and guest trader slots.
Speaking about the Manchester opening earlier this year, Ben MacMillan, co-founder and CEO of Street Food Holdings, said: "Manchester has always been a city with incredible energy, creativity and a love of food, so bringing our concept here in this stunning venue is a natural and exciting next step.
“We want to create a space brought to life by local artists which celebrates the city’s culture and provides line up independent traders and brewers a city centre platform to shine.
“We’ve seen how much people embraced the spirit of ESF in Edinburgh and we know Manchester, with its energy and hunger for innovation will take it to another level. We’re incredibly excited about making the city our second home."
The Manchester Evening News has contacted Edinburgh Street Food Holdings for comment on the change of opening date.
