Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), the North’s leading hospitality trade show is set to return to Manchester Central next week alongside lunch! NORTH, the dedicated event for the region’s café, coffee shop and food-to-go sector.
Taking place on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March at Manchester Central, NRB26 and lunch! NORTH will bring together the very best of Northern Hospitality under one roof. Visitors can expect innovative product launches from key industry suppliers and an inspiring programme of keynote talks, exclusive interviews, live chef demonstrations and unrivalled networking opportunities.
NRB26 highlights include:
Keynote Theatre: Industry leader Laura Harper Hinton (Caravan) alongside other leading operators who have moved north reveal their key learnings and future plans. Newcastle’s finest Kenny Atkinson will also give an exclusive interview about his professional journey, as well as challenges and opportunities he’s faced.
Chef Live Theatre: Featuring Livia Alcaron (Chin-Zano, Liverpool), Ahmed Abdalla (The Grand, York), and Daniel Heffy (Nord, Liverpool) and many more showcasing their culinary expertise.
Pub & Bar Theatre: Panels on Alcohol free drinks, industry challenges and boosting sales featuring Simon Potts (The Alchemist) Joycelyn Neve (Seafood Pub Company) Fran Cruse (Stray), Joe Schofield (SCHOFIELD’S BAR), and Laura Willoughby (Club Soda).
Kuits NRB Top Fifty: Recognising the 50 most influential operators in Northern hospitality over the past year.
Co-located with NRB26, lunch! NORTH returns for its second year, spotlighting the North’s vibrant café, coffee shop and food-to-go sector. Confirmed exhibitors include Hip Pop, Yorkshire Tea, Vita Coco, Simply Lunch and UCC Coffee, alongside a packed programme tailored to the growing industry.
lunch! NORTH highlights include:
Industry insights: Keynote interviews from Nick Ayerst (GAIL’s), William Gordon-Harris (Knoops) and Claudio Ribeiro (Federal Cafe & Bar) to discuss campaign strategies and driving success.
Food-To-Go Leaders Panel: Discussions with Sohali Ali (Chaiiwala), Richard Franks (Shake Shack), and Mark Murphy (Burgerism), who will be sharing their stories on growth in a competitive market.
Marketing Leaders Panel: Bringing together Marnie Ahmed (Archie’s), Sabrina Ruia (Rhode Island Coffee) and Olivia Vachon (Wrapps & Wings) and Annabel Mackie (Itsu) to discuss customer engagement tactics and building brand loyalty.
Chris Braizer, Group Event Director for NRB26 said: "NRB is a defining moment in the calendar for Northern hospitality and this year’s edition is shaping up to be the best yet. With fresh new voices and the continued growth of lunch! NORTH, we’re creating a platform for real business and real conversations about the future of the sector. Whether you’re an independent operator or a national brand, there’s something here to take back to your business.”
Katie Tyler, Event Director for lunch! NORTH, also commented: “The café, coffee and food-to-go market has continued to evolve in the region and lunch! NORTH is designed to reflect that energy and innovation. This show brings together the people and ideas that are shaping the sector, from established brands to emerging challengers. We’re excited to see the community come together in Manchester to spark new partnerships and opportunities.”
Last year, the combined shows attracted more than 12,000 visitors, marking a 13.4% increase on the 2024 event. Following a successful debut in 2025, lunch! NORTH returns for its second year, offering a dedicated platform for the rapidly expanding café, coffee shop and food-to-go sector.
Find out more here.