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.
Nominations for awards 2015
Criteria used
Note 1: There should be safe, independent level access to the entrance of the venue. This means no steps or portable ramps which can be hazardous, with no handrails and a steep gradient and can obstruct the pedestrian route. Also it can be difficult to contact staff to ask for a portable ramp to be placed . Customers should not have to be escorted through kitchens or other hazardous or undignified 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 have no 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: For a venue to have reasonable sound levels, there should be an option to ask the management to reduce the sound levels and turn off any music. We considered that reasonable sound levels may include some music and reasonable levels of conversation. Some pubs, restaurants and cafes may be too loud for people with hearing impairments, particularly at weekends and in the evenings but some restaurants and cafes have good spaces between tables to allow for conversation.
Note 5: This section provides a summary of minimal access required. We consider that there should be level access to facilities, including toilets and that there should be accessible toilets where people are eating and drinking in cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants. Where these facilities do not exist, we consider that as the venues would exclude many disabled people, that they do not represent the best of Manchester.
We would like to thank the managers who have already made or are planning to make adjustments to make their venues more accessible during and after 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 carried out very simple surveys on some of the venues that have been nominated for a Food & Drink Festival award or are 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 the venue directly, or ask MDPAG for more information.
Award Categories
Restaurant 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 | Reasonable sound level | Summary |
The French The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS. Tel: 0161 932 4198 | Yes, platform lift | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Hawksmoor 184 – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB. Tel: 0161 836 6980 | No, dangerous stair lift and hazardous handrails to access restaurant | Poor colour contrast, inaccessible door handle | Yes | Yes | No, limited access |
Iberica 14 – 15 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF. Tel: 0161 3581 350 | Yes, with high and low tables | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Volta 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN. Tel: 0161 448 8887 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No, no accessible toilet |
Hearth of the Ram 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire, BL0 0AA. Tel: 01706 828 681 | No, steps and no ramp available, only access to outside area from the car park | No, one step | Yes | Yes | No |
Mughli 30 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, Lancashire M14 5TQ. Tel: 0161 248 0900 | Yes | No, not accessible | Yes | Yes | No |
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 | Reasonable sound level | Summary |
Hawksmoor 184 – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB. Tel: 0161 836 6980 | No, dangerous stair lift and hazardous handrails to access restaurant | Poor colour contrast, inaccessible door handle | Yes | Yes | No, limited access |
Iberica 14 – 15 The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF. Tel: 0161 3581 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Salut Wines 11 Cooper Street, Manchester M2 2FW. Tel: 0161 236 2340 | Yes, good floor, different heights of tables | Yes, but black and white tiles may cause problems for some people | Yes, even lighting and good daylight | Yes | Yes |
Brassica 27 Shaw Road, Heaton Moor, Manchester SK4 4AG. Tel: 0161 442 6730 | No, step at entrance and no ramp and narrow door, confusing signage | No accessible toilet, other toilets down steep stairs | No, lighting dim during daytime and possibly night time | Some music but could be turned down | No |
Lupo Caffè Italiano 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF. Tel: 07847 028685 | Yes, but obstacles at the door might need to removed | No accessible toilet | Yes, good lighting | Yes | No, if staying for a meal, as no toilet |
Tariff & Dale 2 Tariff Street, Manchester. Tel:0161 710 2233 | Yes, a platform lift that looks like stairs, needs staff assistance gives access to bar, with food, but not to restaurant | Yes, but door handle missing and no signage to the toilet. Ask staff. | Yes, reasonable lighting for the venue | 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 | Reasonable sound leve | Summary |
Aiden Byrne Manchester House, Tower 12, 18-22 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BZ,. Tel: 0161 835 2557 | Yes, access by lift. Most of the restaurant and bar is level, but the bar has private areas which are up 2 large steps and the terrace of the restaurant is up 1 large curved step. | Yes, although the toilet is a bit dark because of poor lighting and dark decor. Patterned wallpaper and black and white chequered floor can be confusing for some people with visual impairments. | Yes, lighting in the bar area can be low but some areas have good levels of natural light. The restaurant has good lighting. | Yes, sound levels of music low in bar and low conversation levels in the restaurant, with good spaces between tables. | Yes |
Abdulla Naseem Hearth of the Ram, 13 Peel Brow, Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire, BL0 0AA. Tel: 01706 828 681 | No, steps and no ramp available, access only to outside area from the car park | No, one step | Yes | Yes | No |
David Leong Yuzu, 39 Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4EE. Tel: 0161 236 4159 | No, steep steps | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Alex Shaw Volta, 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN. Tel: 0161 448 8887 | Yes | No accessible toilet, arrangement with another restaurant | Yes | Yes | No |
Mike Jennings Grenache, 15 Bridgewater Rd, Walkden, Worsley, Manchester, M28 3JE. Tel: 0161 799 8181 | Yes, but hazardous turning space at entrance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
David Gale The Lawn Club, Spinningfields, Manchester. Tel: 0161 914 7830 | Yes, steps at main entrances but narrow ramp without handrails at the other side. No signage to ramp. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes but ramp could be difficult for some people |
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 | Reasonable sound level | Summary |
Bakers Vaults Market Place, Stockport SK1 1ES. Tel: 0161 480 9448 | Yes, small ramp to each entrance and wide door but steep gradient on the street to the pub | No accessible toilet. Accessible toilet in the market is locked on non-market days | Yes, good lighting | Possible, it is a music venue but music could be turned down on request | No, no accessible toilet |
The Baum 33-37 Toad Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 0NU. Tel: 01706 352186 | Yes, only with a portable ramp | No accessible toilet | No, lighting is dim | Music plays, can be turned down or speakers turned off | No, no accessible toilet |
Wigan Central Bar 1 Queen Street, Arch No. 1, Wigan, WN3 4DY. Tel:01942 246425 | Yes, small ramp at entrance | Yes | Yes, reasonable lighting | Yes | Yes |
Marble Arch 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester, M4 4HY. Tel: 832 5914 | Yes, but floor slopes | No accessible toilet | Yes | Yes | No, no accessible toilet |
The Harewood Arms 2 Market St, Broadbottom, Hyde, Cheshire, SK14 6AX. Tel: 07967 656887 | Yes, level access | No accessible toilet | Yes, but lighting dim in some areas | Yes, music can be turned down in some areas | No, no accessible toilet |
The Clarence 2 Silver Street, Bury, BL9 0EX. Tel: 0161 464 7404 | Yes, level access to ground floor but includes all food menus | Yes | Yes | Yes, music can be turned down | 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 | Reasonable sound level | Summary |
The Marble Arch 73 Rochdale Road, Manchester, M4 4HY. Tel: 832 5914 | Yes, but floor slopes | No accessible toilet | Yes | Yes | No, no accessible toilet |
The Clarence 2 Silver Street, Bury, BL9 0EX. Tel: 0161 464 7404 | Yes, level access to ground floor but includes all food menus | Yes | Yes | Yes, music can be turned down | Yes |
The Parlour 60 Beech Road, Chorlton, M21 9EG. Tel: 0161 881 4871 | No, steps in front and hazardous ramp at back with small turning space at door | Yes, transfer space difficult | Yes, lighting can be dim in the evening | Yes, reasonable sound levels | Yes |
Sam’s Chop House Back Pool Fold, Manchester, M2 1HN. Tel: 0161 834 3210 | No, steps in front and back, plans to improve access at the back | No | Possibly, low level of lighting on visit | Yes | No |
Shoulder of Mutton Holcombe Village, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 4LZ. Tel: 01706 822001 | Yes, no steps to bar but steps to restaurant. Food available in bar. | No | Even lighting | Quiet music, can be turned down | No, no accessible toilet |
The Angel 6 Angel Street, Manchester, M4 4BQ. Tel: 0161 833 4786 | No, steps at entrances | No accessible toilet | Yes | Yes | 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 | Reasonable sound level | Summary |
Volta 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LN. Tel: 0161 448 8887 | Yes | No accessible toilet, arrangement with another restaurant | Yes | Yes | No, no accessible toilet |
Hawksmoor 184 – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB. Tel: 0161 836 6980 | No, dangerous stair lift and hazardous handrails to access restaurant | Poor colour contrast, inaccessible door handle | Yes | Yes | No, limited access |
Wine and Wallop 97 Lapwing Lane, Manchester, M20 6UR. Tel: 0161 446 2464 | Yes | Yes. but obstructions near door | Yes | Yes | yes |
Salut Wines 11 Cooper Street, Manchester M2 2FW. Tel: 0161 236 2340 | Yes, good floor, different heights of tables | Yes, but black and white tiles may cause problems for some people | Yes, even lighting and good daylight | Yes | Yes |
Cane and Grain 49 -51 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1NA. Tel: 0161 839 7033 | No, small step at entrance, also seating difficult with high tables and stools and benches against the wall | No, there are grab rails but toilet smaller than standards, visually problematic for some people with coloured graffiti on all walls. No signage and lighting faulty on visit, Radar Key required | Yes | Yes, music loudly played but could be turned down | No |
Ply 26 Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1DW. Tel: 0161 711 0401 | Yes, but platform lift to bar looks like stairs and needs staff to operate. No access to restaurant but food available in bar | Yes, but door handle is missing, no signage on door to identify it, poor colour contrast and obstacle in transfer space | Lighting can be dim at night | Noisy at night but quieter in the day | Yes, limited access |
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 | Reasonable sound level | Summary |
Pot Kettle Black | Yes, but heavy doors and limited access inside | No | Yes | Yes | No, if eating inside as no accessible toilet, limited access to high counter and tables |
Grindsmith | No, step at entrance and limited access (narrow entrance) through “Central Working” from Great Northern Square. Food & drink can be brought upstairs | Yes, from Central Working, but poor signage and poor handle | Yes | Yes, loud music but can be turned down | No |
North Tea Power 6 Tib St, Manchester, M4 1LA. Tel: 0161 833 3073 | No, metal steps, with an overhang. The approach is uneven, sloping with trip hazards including a raised manhole cover with no colour contrast. Signage is small and misleading relating to the entrance | No accessible toilet with transfer space and handrails | No, low level lighting | Yes, music playing but could be turned down | No |
Lupo Caffè Italiano 142 Chapel Street, Salford M3 6AF. Tel: 07847 028685 | Yes, but obstacles at the door might need to removed | No accessible toilet | Yes, good lighting | Yes | No, if staying for a meal, as no toilet |
Fig and Sparrow 20 Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JN. Tel: 0161 228 1843 | Yes, but small lip between entrance mat and wooden floor. Tables outside the cafe on the pavement and A-boards along the pavement for other cafes within the pedestrian route. | No accessible toilet | Even lighting | Quiet music but can be turned off in one part of the cafe | No, if staying for a meal as no accessible toilet |
Tea Hive | No, large step at entrance | Not at the moment, accessible toilet out of order, directed to upstairs toilet | Yes | Yes, music but can be turned down | No |
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 | Reasonable sound level | Summary |
Crazy Pedro’s 55-57 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BQ. Tel: 0161 359 3000 | Yes, good ramp and access inside | Yes | Yes, though subdued | Yes, music but may be turned down | Yes |
Siam Smiles 48A George Street, City Centre, Manchester, M1 4HF. Tel: 0161 237 1555 | No, steps downstairs | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Filthy Cow 10 Tib Lane, Manchester, M2 4JB. Tel: 0161 839 5498 | Yes, with heavy door | No, but arrangement with Café Nero next door, possible reasonable adjustment | No, even but dim lighting | Yes, loud music but can be turned down | Yes, with limited access to toilet |
Lily’s 75-83 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7DF. Tel: 0161 339 4774 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Jasmine 569 Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, M21 8AE. Tel: 0161 881 1442 | Yes | Yes, but have to request access as it is behind the counter area | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Luck, Lust, Liquor & Burn 100 – 102 High Street, Manchester, M4 1HP. Tel: 0161 244 9422 | No, step with no ramp | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |