Fable pulls out of £3m Manchester restaurant opening
Joe Akka, co-owner of the city’s Panacea bar, was proposing to open Fable at the former Freemason's hall in 2019.
But the plans, which were expected to kick-off an international expansion of the brand, have now been cancelled due to “unforeseen issues”.
“Regretfully, we are no longer taking the Fable concept to Manchester Hall,” says Akka in a statement.
“The building has thrown up too many challenges, which have caused continued delays to the project. We have, therefore, decided to relocate the offer to a different location in the nearby area.”
Dishoom announced yesterday that it will make its long-awaited Northern debut at Manchester Hall, though it is unclear if it has taken the site intended for Fable.
According to plans submitted in 2017, Fable was set to serve a mainly Japanese-inspired menu amid a highly stylised restaurant with coloured glass windows and walls and Chinese ‘dragons’ hanging from the ceiling.
The team had ambitions to expand the brand to London and then Western Europe, the Middle East and USA.
“We have looked into a number of alternative sites and will continue to do so until we are confident we have found a building that resonates with the theatrical nature of Fable’s concept,” says Akka.
“The essence of the brand is so visually unique, we have to ensure the dynamics of any building match the creative direction we are all so excited to take.”
A former Freemason’s hall, Manchester Hall underwent a multi-million pound development last year to transform it in to a conference and events centre with several restaurant and bar openings planned.
