Italian restaurant Vapiano confirms Manchester for latest site

The German-founded group, led by managing director Phil Sermon in the UK, outlined plans last year​ to look beyond the capital to expand the business and has now confirmed Manchester for its fourth site. 

Vapiano Manchester will open within the Corn Exchange in the city centre later this year following a £2m investment to redevelop the site and creating 80 new jobs. 

Sermon said: “We are thrilled to have secured such a fantastic site in Manchester. Many of our guests have requested that we open in the north of England and it is exciting that we can now deliver this. 

“Manchester is a vibrant city and I am confident that Vapiano will prove popular and be a great addition to the city’s social scene." 

Fresh pasta​

Spread across two floors with two bars and lounge areas, the restaurant will serve Vapiano's trademark homemade fresh pasta, pizza, salad and dolci made to order by chefs from an open kitchen. 

As within its Great Portland Street, Wardour Street and Bankside restaurants, diners will be able to eat at its small and large sharing tables.  

Designer Felix Finkernagle Ross, responsible for the design of Vapiano in Wardour Street, Soho, will be in charge of designing the new site. 

Vapiano Manchester will join Byron, Bar and Kitchen Banyan, Cabana Brasilian Barbecue, Eclectic Grill, Pho, Pizza Express, The Cosy Club, Wahaca, Salvi’s Deli, Tampopo and Zizzi at the grade II listed building, which is currently undergoing a £30m refurbishment by Queensbury Real Estate before re-opening in June.     

Sermon said the restaurant chain, which started in Germany in 2002 and now operates 150 restaurants across the globe, would continue to look for sites outside the UK following the securing of its Manchester site.. 

“This highlights our intent to open many more Vapiano restaurants in prime positions across the UK," he said.