The Manchester Food and Drink Festival (MFDF) is an opportunity to promote the best in our area each year. We are working with the Festival organisers and the venues around Manchester to provide information about the accessibility of the places being nominated for awards.
Some of these nominations are not accessible to disabled people, older people and children and we are working with MFDF to ensure that the award winners represent the best in Manchester and are accessible. We hope that you will choose to vote for the accessible venues.
Information on events venues will be added regularly before the start of the Festival on 26th September.
Nominations for the Awards 2013 Festival EventsNominations for awards 2013
Criteria used
Note 1: There should be safe, independent level access to the entrance of the venue. This means no steps or portable ramps. Also, customers should not have to be escorted through kitchens or other hazardous routes to get into the venue. Venues above ground level should have a lift and if there are small changes of level on the same floor these should be ramped and not just have steps.
Note 2: We have assessed the size of the toilets and whether there is space to allow disabled people to transfer on to the toilet. Where we found obstructions in the cubicles which could be removed, e.g. plants, bins, furniture and cleaning materials, we have judged the toilet to be accessible but we also found a number of locks and handles that would be difficult for some disabled people to use. Some toilets also have baby changing tables that, if left down, can obstruct access to the toilet area and some baby changing tables will be too high for disabled parents to use.
Note 3: Some of the venues we visited had dark areas, spots of bright light or shadows. These can be awkward for visually impaired people because they are unable to see obstacles but also for other disabled people, if others bump into them or spill things over them. We have made judgements about the reasonableness of lighting, recognising that clubs and evening venues may be darker.
Note 4: We would like to thank the managers who have already made adjustments to make their venues more accessible during our visits, and those who are intending to review their access provision and hope to make improvements in the near future. Our reports represent the current situation.
Please note: we have only carried out very simple surveys on venues that have been nominated for a Food & Drink Festival award or holding events during the Festival. Anyone who would like to visit one of the venues but who may be concerned about any other access issues, should contact them directly or ask MDPAG for more information.
Award Categories
Restaurant of the Year Newcomer of the Year Pub of the Year Food Pub of the Year Bar of the Year Chef of the Year Cheap Eats of the Year Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the YearRestaurant of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of venue | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| 63 Degrees, City Centre | No, small step and door access is narrow without staff support to 2nd double door | Yes, accessible toilet very near in adjacent hotel | Yes | No |
| Yuzu, City Centre | No, steps | No | Yes | No |
| Michael Caines Restaurant, Abode Hotel, City Centre | Yes, level access is via lift from hotel reception. Entrance to hotel is via a quite steep ramp. Restaurant is split level so only some tables can be reached on the level | Yes | No, lighting is poor, dark decor throughout and no natural light | Yes, partly |
| Cicchetti, City Centre | Yes, narrow access route available from House of Fraser when open. No independent access from outside which has steps, platform lift is staff operated and no external information about this. | Yes | Yes | Yes. but only partly |
| Damson, MediaCityUK | Yes, lift access | Yes, currently no lock, no hand dryer (being addressed), possible obstruction from baby changing table | Yes, lighting variable, good in restaurant but darker in lounge/bar area & lobby | Yes |
| The French at the Midland, City Centre | Yes, platform lift | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Newcomer of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of venue | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| Luck, Lust, Liquor and Burn, Northern Quarter | No independent access, small step | Yes | Yes | No |
| Solita, Northern Quarter | Yes | No, entrance blocked by tables and chairs, and furniture in toilet which can’t be moved | Yes | No |
| The Albert Chop House, City Centre | No, steps at main entrance, alternative entrance also has one step. Door requires key from staff and the intercom and entry button don’t work. | Yes | Yes, lighting in the lobby is dark but lighting in the restaurant and bar is reasonable. | No |
| Damson, Media City UK | Yes, lift access. | Yes, currently no lock, no hand dryer (being addressed), possible obstruction from baby changing table | Yes, in restaurant, but lobby and bar very dark | Yes |
| Artisan, City Centre | No, currently hazardous lift steps entering and exiting lift, not highlighted (being addressed) Access from glass covered walkway is poorly lit with poor lighting on stairway. | Yes | Dim lighting, and poor colour contrast and floor design, making it difficult for visually impaired people | No |
| The French at the Midland, City Centre | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pub of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of venue | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| Marble Arch, City Centre | Yes, but floor slopes | No | Yes | No |
| Station Buffet Bar, Stalybridge | Yes | Not in pub but toilet with RADAR key at end of platform | Yes, but dark areas | Yes |
| The Magnet, Stockport | No | No | No | No |
| The Eagle Inn, Salford | No, poor dropped kerb, narrow pavement, lips at entrance | No | No | No |
| The Baum, Rochdale | No | No | Unable to check | No |
| The Oasthouse, City Centre | Yes | Yes but difficult handle and lock | Yes | Yes |
Food Pub of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of venue | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom | No, steps and no ramp available | Yes, but not checked | Yes | No |
| The Wharf, Castlefield, City Centre | Yes | Yes, but very difficult handle | Yes | Yes |
| The Parlour, Chorlton | No, steps in front and very hazardous ramp at back with small turning space at door | Yes, but used for storage, transfer space difficult | Yes | No |
| The Red Lion, High Lane, Stockport | Yes | No, too small | Yes, but dark in some areas | No |
| Mark Addy, Salford | No, many steps, no lift | No | Unable to check | No |
| The Albert Chop House, City Centre | No, steps at main entrance, alternative entrance also has one step. Door requires key from staff and the intercom and entry button don’t work. | No, toilet is too small and not located near the restaurant and bar. | No, lighting in the lobby is too dark but lighting in the restaurant and bar is reasonable. | No |
Bar of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of venue | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| Revolucion de Cuba, City Centre | Yes | Yes, but RADAR key required, or have to ask at bar | Yes | Yes |
| Liquorice, City Centre | Yes | Yes, but obstructions (plant) in transfer space | Yes, but spotlights, (glare and shadow) | Yes |
| Australasia, City Centre | No independent access, lift access from another office entrance, need to contact restaurant but sign outside too small, exit from lift through kitchen area, hazardous and narrow route | Yes, but needs refurbishment and access through narrow kitchen route with obstacles and small signs | Yes | No |
| Kosmonaut, Northern Quarter | No, steps and no ramp | No | Dark | No |
| Gorilla, City Centre | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Jackalope, Chorlton | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Chef of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of venue | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| Eric Moreau, 63 Degrees, City Centre | No, small step and door access is narrow without staff support to open 2nd double door | Yes, accessible toilet very near in adjacent hotel | Yes | No |
| Robert Cox, Michael Caines Restaurant, Abode Hotel, City Centre | Yes, level access is via lift from hotel reception. Entrance to hotel is via a quite steep ramp. Restaurant is split level so only some tables can be reached on the level | Yes | No, lighting is poor, dark decor throughout and no natural light | Yes, partly |
| Mike Jennings, Grenache, Worsley | Yes, but hazardous turning space at entrance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sam Everett, Harvey Nichols, City Centre | Yes, lift access | Yes | Lighting varies at night, as colours change constantly | Yes |
| Mary-Ellen McTague, Aumbry, Prestwich | No, cobbled route to level access entrance, and 2 steps from the street | Yes | Yes | No |
| Adam Reid, The French at the Midland, City Centre | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Cheap Eats of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of venue | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| Home Sweet Home, Northern Quarter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| San Juan, Chorlton | No, steps with no ramp | No | Yes | No |
| Trove, Levenshulme | No, step at entrance and internal step to bakery | No | Yes | No |
| Lily’s Vegetarian Indian Restaurant, Ashton-under-Lyne | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Luck, Lust, Liquor and Burn, Northern Quarter | No, step with no ramp | Yes | Yes | No |
| Salvi’s, Corn Exchange, City Centre | Yes, but very little room between tables outside and inside | No, but accessible toilets in the Corn Exchange building | Yes | No |
Coffee Bar or Tea Shop of the Year
The table below lists all venues nominated for an award in the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. If we think they are accessible in the category mentioned, we have said “Yes”, but if we do not think they are accessible, we have said “No”.
| Name of year | Level access | Accessible toilet | Reasonable lighting | Current Access |
| Coffee Fix, Gatley | No, steps with no ramp or lift | No | Yes | No |
| Caffeine and Co, City Centre | No, small step (feathered) on a gradient | No (though this is mainly a takeaway) | Yes | No |
| Richmond Tea Rooms, City Centre | No, steps at entrance | No, steps at entrance | No, entrance obstructed by table and chairs, narrow entrance and transfer space filled with cleaning materials and baby changing facilities. | No |
| Macaroon, Rochdale | No, steps at entrance | No | Yes | No |
| Home Sweet Home, Northern Quarter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Takk, Northern Quarter | No, steps with no ramp or lift | No | Yes | No |
Festival Events and Offers
Please note that information about the venues which will host activities and events during the Festival, which starts on the 26th September, will be added regularly and updated as the programme is finalised.
| Name of venue (alphabetical order) | Level access (no steps, ramp or lift) | Accessible toilet | Lighting levels |
| 47 King St West, City Centre | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| All Star Lanes, The Great Northern, City Centre | Yes, but easiest access from Square | Yes | Yes |
| Artisan, City Centre | Lift access but currently hazardous lift steps entering and exiting lift at entrance, not highlighted (being addressed). | Yes | Dim lighting and spotlights, and poor colour contrast and floor design, making it difficult for some visually impaired people |
| Barbakan Delicatessan, Chorlton | Yes | No | Yes |
| Blue Pig, City Centre | Yes, heavy door at entrance | No, no transfer space, good turning circle | Yes, during daytime |
| Choice Bar and Restaurant, | No, dangerous steep gradient without pedestrian route from parking and no parking near to entrance, also narrow dropped kerb not smooth. Best access is from parking at the Wharf which has a cobbled bump from the car park or park on street. Thick carpet in restaurant | Yes, but small and old fashioned layout with narrow transfer space | Yes |
| Common, Northern Quarter | Yes, but narrow turn at entrance | Yes, but ramp not highlighted on route to toilet and part of restaurant | Very dim lighting in most parts |
| Crazy Wendy’s, Didsbury | Yes | Yes | Yes, some spotlights |
| Damson, MediaCityUK | Yes, lift access | Yes, currently no lock, no hand dryer (being addressed), possible obstruction from baby changing table | Yes, in restaurant, but lobby and bar very dark |
| Damson, Heaton Moor, Stockport | Yes | Yes but used for storage also | Yes |
| Electrik, Chorlton | Yes, but small upstand at entrance | No, large furniture obstructions in transfer space, currently unable to be moved, and not enough handrails | Yes |
| Evuna, Deansgate, City Centre | Yes | Yes, though moveable storage obstructing space | Yes |
| Evuna, Thomas St., Northern Quarter | No, assisted entrance through back, ramp on order to deal with kerb at entrance | Yes | Yes |
| Festival Hub, Albert Square | Yes, but tables are benches are fixed seating and difficult for some people to access the seats | Yes | Yes |
| Gorilla, City Centre | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grenache, Worsley | Yes, but hazardous turning space at entrance | Yes | Yes |
| Grosvenor Casino Soames Manchester, Chinatown, City Centre | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HangingDitch Wine Merchants, City Centre | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hearth of the Ram, Ramsbottom | No, steps and no ramp available | Yes, but not checked | Yes |
| Ho’s Bakery, Chinatown | No, steps | No | Yes |
| ICFT (I Come From Taiwan), Chinatown | No, steps | No | Yes |
| Jem and I, Didsbury | Yes | Narrow transfer space, poor layout | Yes |
| Kro, Piccadilly | Yes, but heavy door at one front entrance, better access from the side entrance | Yes, but handrail needed maintenance in one toilet | Yes, might be dark in some places at night |
| La Via, Oldham | information to be added during September | information to be added during September | information to be added during September |
| Lock 91, Castlefield, City Centre | Level access but access route is via narrow pavement, cobbles on road | N/a | N/a |
| Manchester Town Hall, City Centre | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mark Addy, Salford | No Many steps with no lift or ramp | No | Unable to check |
| Nutters Restaurant, Rochdale | information to be added during September | information to be added during September | information to be added during September |
| Oddest, Chorlton | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| The Red Lion, High Lane, Stockport | Yes | No, too small | Yes, but dark in some areas |
| Rosylee Restaurant & Tearooms, City Centre | No, steep steps at entrance | Yes | Yes |
| Salvi’s, Corn Exchange, City Centre | Yes, but very little room between tables outside and inside | No, but accessible toilets in the Corn Exchange building | Yes |
| Trove, Levenshulme | No, step at entrance and internal step to bakery | No | Yes |
| The Wharf, Castlefield | Yes | Yes | Yes, but very difficult handle |
| Yang Sing, City Centre | No independent access but contact Yang Sing in advance and access available through fire door and lifts at side of building | Yes | Yes |