YOU’D think Tim Bacon would rest on his considerable laurels after a 2014 that saw him consolidate Living Ventures’ hold on the city centre eating and drinking scene with their opening of the new Gusto off Deansgate. Not so.
2015 dawned with the acquisition of the glorious Reform Club site abandoned by Room at the top of King Street, which will be transformed into the new Grand Pacific by mid-summer (the old Grand Pacific becoming the Australasia Terrace Bar in the interim).
Now LV are tinkering with others in their 11-strong city centre empire. Work has now commenced on the Artisan Café Bar situated on the ground floor of the existing restaurant and bar in Spinningfields. Set to open towards the end of March, with seating inside and out, it will open from breakfast until late.
Artisan upstairs (pictured) also has plans to open a cinema room (with private bar) in the autumn – perfect for private screenings and product launches with its state of the art screen and sound system. A collaboration with Curzon Cinemas will allow this 25-30 capacity space to show current releases and popular classics.
Meanwhile, the Alchemist Spinningfields is to be given a huge extension into part of the former All Saints store, doubling the restaurant capacity both inside and out. To achieve this, it will close from the March 16 for six weeks.