Manchester grill restaurant Solita to open third site

The grill chain will take over two restaurant sites – Bombay and award-winning fine-dining offering Aumbry – for its latest 150-cover venture.

It currently operates two premises in Manchester’s Northern Quarter and Didsbury. 

“Prestwich has been in our sights since early last year when we looked at a pub to convert, but the deal fell through,” Franco Sotgiu, who runs the business with Simon Pogson, said.

“The Bombay gave us an entry to Prestwich but we were always concerned that the site was going to be on the small side for us. The unexpected option to deal on the Aumbry site too has been a welcome bonus.”

A brand new central kitchen, butchery and meat maturing room will be built at the new restaurant, which will employ a full time butcher to prepare steaks, burgers and other grill items for all three Solita venues.

Aumbry - owned by Great British menu finalist and Guardian food columnist Mary Ellen-McTague - closed last August for what its official website describes as a refurbishment and kitchen extension.

A pop-up venture​, 4244, was established in the Northern Quarter of Manchester City Centre, however it remains unclear why the Prestwich venue failed to re-open last year as anticipated.  

Aumbry was unavailable for comment.