NRB26 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: NORTHERN RESTAURANT & BAR AND LUNCH! NORTH TRADE SHOW
The North’s leading hospitality trade event returns on 10-11 March 2026, with free trade tickets now available
Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) 2026, the North’s leading hospitality trade event, returns to Manchester Central, with registrations officially now open.
Taking place on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March, NRB26 (sponsored by Uber Eats) will once again bring together hospitality buyers and suppliers over two days of industry insight, innovation and collaboration at its longstanding home, Manchester Central, with free trade tickets for hospitality operators now available here.
Building on the success of the 2025 show, NRB will once again run alongside lunch! NORTH, the dedicated trade show for cafés, coffee shops, and food-to-go operators. Now in its second year, lunch! NORTH provides a targeted platform for this rapidly growing sector, with confirmed exhibitors including Illy, Welbilt, Carrs Pasties, Vita Coco, Lindt, Pip Organic, Hip Pop, One Plus Two, Re:Water, Tiffin Sandwiches and Blendsmiths. Those interested in exhibiting at lunch! NORTH26 can find out more here: Stand Enquiry - lunch! NORTH
NRB26 continues its tradition of connecting northern hospitality operators with the industry's leading suppliers and thought leaders. Last year, the combined shows welcomed over 12,000 visitors - a 13.4% increase on 2024 - and hosted more than 400 exhibitors showcasing food, drink, technology, and equipment innovations.
The 2026 show promises another two days packed with expert talks, panels, and live demonstrations, designed to give operators actionable insights to navigate today’s challenging industry landscape.
Confirmed NRB exhibitors include Uber Eats, Budweiser, Lightspeed HQ, Nisbets, Steelite International, La Tua Pasta, Frobishers Juices, Monin, Martins Craft Bakery, Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners, Worldpay, Cambrook Foods Ltd, Catering Equipment, and Stephensons. Those interested in exhibiting at NRB26 can find out more here: https://northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk/enquiry-now
Chris Brazier, Group Event Director for NRB and lunch! NORTH commented: "NRB has always been about championing Northern hospitality and the people behind it. With the challenges the industry continues to face, NRB feels more vital than ever to bring the sector together. It’s our chance to share ideas, create new opportunities and celebrate the innovation and resilience that define hospitality in the North."
Katie Tyler, Event Director for lunch! NORTH, added: "We’re so excited to bring lunch! NORTH back for its second year. The response to its launch was incredible, and it’s clear the café and food-to-go community in the North was ready for a show of its own. We’ve got an amazing line-up planned for 2026…it’s going to be another brilliant two days of discovery, connection and inspiration.”
Sam Grainger, Co-founder of COS Hospo / OG Hospo and panellist at the 2025 show, also commented: “NRB is one of the most important dates in the year, not only to see new products, equipment, and services on offer but for all the fantastic minds of operators in the North to come together and to keep pushing the amazing hospitality businesses we have here.”
Industry leader Marta Pogroszewska, NED at Bread Holdings Ltd (GAIL's Bakery) added “lunch! NORTH is a fantastic event to see what's new in the industry. I loved seeing so much innovation and celebrating vibrancy in the North.”
Registrations for the North’s leading hospitality shows are now open and you can secure your spot here.
NRB26 KUITS TOP 50 RETURNS FOR ITS 13TH YEAR!
KUITS NRB TOP 50 HOSPITALITY POWER LIST RETURNS FOR 2026
Nominations now open to recognise the most influential operators shaping Northern hospitality
The Kuits NRB Top 50 Northern Hospitality Power List is back for its thirteenth edition, and nominations for 2026 are officially open. The list celebrates northern hospitality operators who have delivered exceptional commercial and critical success over the past year, highlighting the most important and influential figures driving the region’s vibrant food and drink scene. Winners will be selected by a panel of leading industry experts, with special achievement awards also presented to recognise outstanding contributions.
The deadline for nominations is 10th November, with judging taking place on 20th November. The 2026 judging panel features top figures from across the sector, including Sam Cresswell from Uber Eats, Felicity Tulloch from Kuits Solicitors, and Mary-Ellen McTague from Eat Well MCR.
The unveiling of the full top fifty power list will take place on the first day of the Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester on Tuesday 10th March 2026, which will run alongside lunch! NORTH the Northern Café, Coffee Shop & Food-to-Go Event. Kuits Solicitors headline the awards as sponsors, with CGA by NielsenIQ, NatWest, Uber Eats, and JW Lees supporting as associate sponsors.
Last year’s list included notable new entries such as Apartment Group, Grantley Hall, Mother Mercy, Seafood Pub Company, Southern Wind Group, and Tomahawk Steakhouse. Additionally, several industry-leading operators, including Seven Bro7hers, Mission Mars and Umbel Restaurant Group, returned for another year. Three Special Achievement Awards were presented to Archie’s, The Inn Collection Group, and Joe Schofield, Daniel Schofield & James Brandwood in recognition of their exceptional impact on the hospitality sector.
Laura Parris, Event Manager for NRB26 said: "We are delighted to announce the opening of nominations for the 2026 Kuits NRB Top 50 Power List. Last year highlighted the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurship that define northern hospitality, and this year promises to showcase even more trailblazers. These awards celebrate the operators shaping the future of the industry, and we can’t wait to see who will make the list for 2026.”
Head of Licensing & Leisure at Kuits Solicitors, Felicity Tulloch comments: “We are once again delighted to support The Northern Restaurant & Bar Show which provides a national stage for the North’s hospitality sector. As dedicated legal advisors to the food and drink industry, we are proud to sponsor and judge the Kuits NRB Top Fifty awards. Now in its 13th year, it's an honour to highlight some of the most innovative and influential operators in the region.”
The Kuits NRB Top 50 Northern Hospitality Power List will be revealed at Northern Restaurant & Bar 2026, taking place on 10th-11th March at Manchester Central, marking the first major trade event of the year for the UK hospitality sector.
For further information on Kuits NRB Top 50 List and to submit a nomination please visit: https://northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk/kuits-nrb-top-50-nominations/
KUITS NRB TOP FIFTY POWER LIST 2025 REVEALED
KUITS NRB TOP FIFTY POWER LIST 2025 REVEALED
Three Special Achievement Awards Presented To Archies, The Inn Collection Group and Daniel & Joe Schofield and James Brandwood
Returning for its twelfth edition, the Kuits NRB Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2025 has been unveiled today at the opening of the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester.
The esteemed list celebrates the top-performing and most influential hospitality operators across the North who have achieved exceptional commercial success and critical acclaim over the past year. Its release coincides with new data from CGA, highlighting that the North of England showed greater resilience and growth in the hospitality sector in 2024, surpassing the South in both site expansion and customer feedback.
Three special achievement awards were presented to Archie’s, The Inn Collection Group and Daniel Schofield, Joe Schofield & James Brandwood. Archie’s, known for its unique experiential leisure concept, continues to thrive with the opening of Archies Atomic in 2024 and plans to expand internationally, including to the Middle East.
The Inn Collection Group, recognized for its multiple awards and commitment to people, communities, and surroundings, continues to grow across the North, including being named one of Leisure & Hospitality’s Top 25 best companies to work for.
The award-winning trio that is Joe & Daniel Schofield and James Brandwood, have had a huge impact on Manchester’s bar scene, making the city a premier destination for drinking and dining.
New entries in the Kuits NRB Top Fifty Power List for 2025 include Apartment Group, Grantley Hall, Mother Mercy, Seafood Pub Company, Southern Wind Group, and Tomahawk Steakhouse. Additionally, several industry-leading operators, including Seven Bro7hers, Mission Mars and Umbel Restaurant Group, return for another year.
Siobhan Thompson, Event Manager for NRB25 said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil this year’s Kuits NRB Top 50 Power List, celebrating the very best in northern hospitality. The 2025 edition highlights operators who have not only demonstrated resilience and creativity but have also driven innovation and excellence within the sector.Â
From trailblazing independents to industry giants, each business on this list plays a vital role in shaping the North’s thriving hospitality scene. We look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve and inspire over the coming year."
Felicity Tulloch, Head of Leisure and Licensing, commented: “We’re excited to once again support NRB, a key event for professionals in the northern hospitality sector. As dedicated legal advisors to the leisure and hospitality industries, we are proud to sponsor and judge the Kuits NRB Top Fifty awards which highlight some of the most innovative and influential operators in the region.Â
The North’s hospitality sector has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurship, and Northern Restaurant & Bar provides the perfect platform to showcase its dynamic food and drink scene. We’re proud to be part of this celebration.”
The top fifty names are selected by an expert judging panel following a rigorous research and selection processes to ensure the finalists represent the very best operators in the competitive northern hospitality scene.
Headline sponsors for the awards are Kuits Solicitors, with, CGA by NielsenIQ, Uber Eats, JW Lees and Natwest Commercial & Private Banking also named as Associate Sponsors for the prestige list.Â
The full list in alphabetical order is as follows:
Apartment Group (New Entry)
Arc Inspirations
Archies (Special Achievement Winner)
Bowland Inns & Hotels
Bundobust
Camerons Brewery
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars
Common & Co
Daniel Thwaites
Elite Bistros
Fat Hippo
Frederic Robinson
Gilpin Hotel & Lakehouse
Grantley Hall (New Entry)
GSG Hospitality
House of Tides/Solstice
JW Lees
Madre, Belzan, Medlock Canteen, Salon Madre
Mission Mars
Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms
Mother Mercy (New Entry)
Mowgli Street Food
New World Trading Company
North Bar
Northcote
NQ64
Orenda Hospitality
Ossett Brewery Pub Company
Pivovar
Professionals At Play & Concept Taverns
QVO Hospitality
Rockingham Group, Kelham Island Brewery & Leah’s Yard
San Carlo Group
Daniel Schofield, Joe Schofield & James Brandwood (Special Achievement Winner)
Seafood Pub Company (New Entry)
Seven Bro7hers
Southern Wind Group (New Entry)
Super Friendz
The Alchemist
The Inn Collection Group (Special Achievement Winner)
The Old Stamp House & The Schelly
The Revel Collective
The Star Inn at Harome, The Star Inn The City, York Minster Refectory
The Tommy Banks Group
Tokyo Industries
Tomahawk Steakhouse (New Entry)
Trof Group
Umbel Restaurant Group
Vaulkhard Group
Zanna Group
WHAT’S ON THE MENU AT NRB25 & LUNCH! NORTH 2025?
The North’s number one trade show opens next week - secure your badge today!
Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), sponsored by Uber Eats, the leading hospitality trade show in the North, is returning to Manchester Central next week alongside the brand-new lunch! NORTH, an event dedicated to the region's thriving café, coffee shop, and food-to-go sector.
Taking place on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th March, these two must-attend events will bring together the best of Northern hospitality under one roof with a stellar line up of keynote speakers, exclusive interviews, and live demonstrations, as well as invaluable networking opportunities.
NRB25 Highlights:
- Keynote Theatre: Industry leaders including Kate Nicholls OBE (UKHospitality), Simon Potts (The Alchemist), and Roy Ellis (Mission Mars) discuss key hospitality challenges and opportunities.
- Chef Live: Featuring Tom Barnes (Skof), Ruth Hansom (Hansom Restaurant & Wine Bar), and Danielle Heron (OSMA) showcasing their culinary expertise.
- Pub & Bar Theatre: Panels on leadership, brewing innovations, and mixology featuring William Lees-Jones (JW Lees) and award-winning mixologist Joe Schofield (SCHOFIELD'S BAR).
- Kuits NRB Top Fifty: Recognising the most influential operators in Northern hospitality.
This year’s event will be expanded upon with the arrival of lunch! NORTH, a sister event to NRB25 which will be taking place in the very same venue. lunch! NORTH is brought to Manchester for the first time by the same organisers behind NRB, and will be dedicated to the north’s flourishing café, coffee shop and food-to-go sector.
lunch! has been running successfully in London for 16 years and its northern counterpart is sponsored by Uber Eats for its inaugural year with confirmed brands including Hip Pop, TRIP DRINKS LTD, Britvic, Tony’s Chocolonely, Tiffin Sandwiches and The Exploding Bakery.
Lunch! NORTH Highlights:
- First-ever Northern edition of the leading café, coffee shop & food-to-go trade show.
- Industry insights: Talks from Simon Stenning (FutureFoodservice), Marta Pogroszewska (GAIL’s), and Christian Binney (Burger King UK).
- Food-To-Go Leaders Panel: Discussions with Jon Lake (Chopstix), Dimeji Sadiq (Vegan Shack), and William Gordon-Harris (Knoops).
Siobhan Thompson, event manager for NRB25 said: "We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Manchester Central next week! NRB has always been the beating heart of Northern hospitality, bringing together the best talent, brands, and operators under one roof.
This year, we’re raising the bar once again with an incredible lineup of speakers, interactive sessions, and the introduction of lunch! NORTH. It’s a must-attend event for anyone in the industry who wants to be inspired, make connections, and stay ahead of the game.”
Katie Tyler, Event Director for lunch! NORTH, also commented: “We’re so excited to launch lunch! NORTH and welcome visitors to this brand-new event. The café, coffee shop, and food-to-go sector in the North is booming, and we’re bringing together the best brands, experts, and ideas to help businesses thrive. We can’t wait to open the doors next week and see the industry come together!”
The NRB event experienced an 11% increase in attendance last year, with over 300 exhibitors and more than 9500 attendees, solidifying its stature as a prominent fixture in the hospitality calendar. Meanwhile, lunch! NORTH is set to establish itself as a key event for the Northern grab-and-go sector, mirroring the success of its London counterpart, which attracted over 8000 visitors in 2024.
Will Beckett, CEO and co-founder of Hawksmoor, who attended NRB last year, said: “NRB is the date in the calendar for Northern hospitality; an event that brings the industry together like no other in the UK.”
Register Today:
An unmissable date in the diary for everyone in the northern hospitality industry, NRB25 and lunch! NORTH will bring together over 10,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors for two days of business, networking, and education at Manchester Central, 11th-12th March 2025. For more information and to book your free trade ticket visit www.northernrestaurantandbar.co.uk or www.lunchnorth.co.uk.
NRB ANNOUNCES FULL KEYNOTE & DEMO LINE-UP FOR 2025
An Exceptional Collection Of Industry Leaders Are Set To Take The Stage Including Tom Barnes of Skof, Kate Nicholls OBE of UKHospitality and Simon Potts of The Alchemist
Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB), sponsored by Uber Eats, the leading hospitality trade show in the North, has unveiled an exceptional keynote and demo lineup for its 2025 edition. Taking place on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th March, this year’s program promises thought-provoking discussions, exclusive interviews, and invaluable insights from some of the most influential leaders in the industry.
Day One: Tuesday 11th MarchÂ
The event kicks off on Tuesday 11th March in the Keynote Theatre with an exclusive interview featuring Kate Nicholls OBE, Chief Executive of UKHospitality. Kate will discuss the pressing challenges facing the hospitality industry and the opportunities available for operators in 2025 and beyond. Later in the day, Simon Potts, CEO of The Alchemist, will take the stage to share insights into his career journey, the growth of The Alchemist brand, and the challenges faced by the hospitality sector.
The Marketing Leaders Panel will feature Lucy Milne (Dishoom), James Newman (Mission Mars), and Kate Lister (New World Trading Company). They will explore the strategies they use to keep customers engaged and returning in an increasingly competitive market. Meanwhile, The Hospitality Leaders Panel, featuring Neal Bates (Rudy’s), Amber Wood (New World Trading Company), and Enrico Pireddu (Big Mamma Group), will provide an engaging discussion on topics such as innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in hospitality.
Tuesday’s Chef Live sessions will showcase live cooking demonstrations from some of the North’s top chefs, including Tom Barnes (Skof), Jamie Pickles (Stow), Ruth Hansom (Hansom Restaurant and Wine Bar), and Scott John-Hodgson (Solstice). Skof has just been awarded a Michelin star less than a year after opening, and this will be Tom Barnes’ first trade show since achieving this prestigious accolade—making his session a must-see. These culinary experts will showcase their unique techniques and the inspirations behind their highly acclaimed dishes.
Meanwhile, in the Pub & Bar Theatre, discussions will range from leadership insights with William Lees-Jones (JW Lees) and Christian Townsley (North Bars) to brewing innovations with Matthew Tiplady and Michael Lees-Jones also of JW Lees. The Cocktail Bar Leaders Panel will feature Fran Cruse (Stray), Chris Edwards (Sister Ray), and Cressida Lawlor (Ego Death), exploring trends and innovations in the world of mixology.
Closing the first day of the trade show, the much-anticipated Kuits NRB Top Fifty will be unveiled. This prestigious list recognises the most influential operators in the Northern hospitality industry, celebrating those who have demonstrated exceptional commercial and critical success over the past year. Winners will be selected by a panel of top hospitality experts, with special achievement awards also being presented.
Day Two: Wednesday 12th March
On Wednesday 12th March, the Keynote Theatre will feature an exclusive interview with Roy Ellis, CEO & Co-Founder of Mission Mars, who will provide insights into the evolution of his multi-brand business. Laura Harper-Hinton, Founder of Caravan, will also take the stage to discuss how she has mastered the art of all-day dining and how Caravan continues to expand. Later, Brian Trollip, CEO of Dishoom, will share insights into the continuous evolution of the brand and its future vision.Â
The Operations Leaders Panel will bring together Maria McCann (Blacklock), Ben Rushworth (Hickory’s Smokehouse), and Lucy Worth (Mowgli) to discuss the vital role of operations in ensuring the smooth running of hospitality businesses.Â
The New Openings Panel featuring Éadaoin McDonagh (Lina Stores), Sam Grainger (COS Hospo/OG Hospo), and Jamie Duffield (Pilgrim) will dive into the excitement and challenges of launching new hospitality ventures, including discussions on location strategies and business growth.
Wednesday’s Chef Live sessions will continue to impress with top chefs such as Ruby Jary (Medlock Canteen), Ollie Bridgewater (SOURCE at The Gilpin Hotel), Rosie Maguire (Higher Ground), and Danielle Heron (OSMA) demonstrating their expertise.
In the Pub & Bar Theatre, the focus will shift to understanding Gen Z’s engagement with pubs and bars in a session led by Reuben Pullan and Danielle Rowlands from CGA by NIQ. Additionally, an exclusive one-on-one interview with award-winning mixologist Joe Schofield (SCHOFIELD'S BAR) will delve into his career, creative process, and inspirations. The final session, Drinks Trends: What’s Driving Drinks?, hosted by Campari Academy UK’s Loris Contro, will explore the latest trends shaping the drinks industry.
NRB promises to deliver a unique blend of networking, inspiration, and innovation for hospitality professionals. With over 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest in food, drink, and technology, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and discover the newest trends shaping the future of the sector.
NRB opens on March 11th-12th at Manchester Central and serves as the premier hospitality showcase of the year. Free tickets for trade professionals working in hospitality are available here.