Entrepreneurs North and South

Recently I have been lucky enough to spend time in and around Manchester. I was scouting for a new client and also hooked up with a former colleague and restaurateur, Danny Fox. He is opening an exciting new restaurant in Hale Barns, called Fox. I would love to share the pictures I took of the soon to finish build but I am on a strict confidentiality promise so this will have to do. ​​

Following a cracking lunch at Victor’s in Hale, a super up-market East Coast American influenced restaurant in the pretty village of Hale; we drove back to Altrincham, where earlier I had walked from, as it is the last stop on the brilliant Metrolink tram system and from there a 20-minute stroll to Hale. Danny showed me Altrincham Market, a beautiful space that has been used since 1290 as a place to buy and sell food. It adjoins Market House, the old Victorian market hall.

Both of these spaces have recently been given new life by two entrepreneurs, Nick Johnson and Jenny Thomson. They are helping bring new people, ideas and energy to a town that was looking a little shabby and was following the predictable high street death throes that we are seeing across our nation. The buzz was palpable and at three thirty on a Saturday afternoon in August it was heaving. It seems that their success has encouraged more young entrepreneurs to bid for sites in the town, of course the big brands are following suit. Down the road, Danny will succeed as will others who want to create new and special experiences that allow independence of thought combined with an understanding of the local market.

My Saturday night was spent humming that melody of Oliver Cheatham’s disco classic, as I was given a tour of the restaurant and bar scene in central Manchester. I love the full-on way the Mancunians go for dressing up to have a good time, I felt positively dowdy in comparison! Neighbourhood, a former rough spot has been transformed into a jewel within Spinningfields, the vibrant sector it lives in.

With Los Angeles quality sushi and small holding producers used for many ingredients on the exciting menu, I watched a night of incredible business. The energy and excitement of the crowd was matched by the teams throughout the restaurant and bar. So much fun being had whilst working in a professional way. My ears were ringing as I made my way back to my bed and I was smiling at the memories the next morning as I breakfasted overlooking this enigmatic city.

Whitstable is a picturesque Kent port that sits 265 miles from Manchester, it is home to The Sportsman restaurant, recent winner at the National Restaurant Awards. It now has a new restaurant in the historic centre, Harbour Street Tapas.

Tim Wilson and his business partner Lee Murray, managed to secure a historic site on Harbour Street following a multi-months long battle. Seating around 40 covers with a kitchen and bar area that is half the size of the pot wash at The Ivy, where Tim and I worked for years together, many years ago. No matter the size, when you see how excellently functional they have made the work flow.

They effectively demonstrate what you can do with a small space. The locals now have Spanish food made with the best local produce all year round; the tourists have somewhere to stop by during their Summer sojourn.

Both groups now having access to Tim’s brilliant cooking and Lee’s sharp wit and strong hospitality. We sat for three hours and talked business, ideas and about sticking to your principles and beliefs.

I am a firm believer in standing by what you believe, if you are determined and focussed you will succeed. The trick is to balance principles with market forces, staying relevant whilst maintaining the core beliefs you set out with. The hospitality that Tim and Lee offer shines through as genuine and lacking in any corporate spin. The food and drink offer are unimpeachable and offer enough variety backed up by shear quality. I can’t wait for my next visit.

As an idea formed in those Mancunians’ minds a few years ago which now reaps rewards, this duo has come together to create something very special indeed.

I feel that not only will this independent style of hospitality succeed, also that it will spread, as people tire of generic offers and want a more truthful and interesting experience from their restaurants.