Hatch, the popular food court and retail development under the Mancunian Way, will close at the end of the month, owner Bruntwood has confirmed.
It will shut down on September 30, after which it will be redeveloped, reopening as a permanent spot in 2024 under the brand STACK, which operates box parks in Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Carlisle.
The current food traders, including the likes of T’Arricri, Kong’s Burger Bar, Block Steak Shop, House of Habesha and Parmogeddon, will be given ‘priority’ by the site’s new owners once it starts selecting new traders for the development.
Hatch opened in 2017, with a handful of food traders including the likes of Holy Crab, Firebird Hope and Blue Caribou among its first occupants, along with the ÖL bar and brewery, which will stay open while the site is redeveloped.
The Unabombers also had a bar there, the Electrik Box, for a spell too, alongside retailers like Curiosity Shop, Suzy Loves Milo and trainer refurb service Sneaker Pharm.
Peter Bearpark, asset management director at Bruntwood, said: “We are incredibly proud of what we accomplished at Hatch. Originally conceived as an idea for how to utilise unused space while Circle Square was in development, it has been a success in terms of the vision we set out for it – supporting start-up businesses, allowing brands to experiment, grow and thrive, and creating a place for people to enjoy excellent food, drink and shopping.
“It’s always hard to say goodbye to a site that we are proud of, but now is the right time for Stack to take it to the next stage in its development.”
Neill Winch, CEO of STACK, added: “STACK is delighted to bring its successful leisure brand to Manchester and continue the fantastic work that Bruntwood has started at Hatch in creating a place for businesses to grow and thrive – something that we are also very passionate about.
“We have a proven track record in providing venues which bring together the very best in street food, bars and we are also renowned for delivering a full programme of live entertainment for people of all ages, which has been a huge part of our success and an element we are looking forward to elevating in Manchester.
“This location is the perfect fit for us, and we look forward to building on the great work Hatch has already done and taking it to the next level under the STACK brand.
“STACK is already a proven concept which has had huge success in its native North East, in both Sunderland and Newcastle and is currently developing a whole host of new sites across the country. It operates as both a visitor attraction and a much-loved facility for local residents and we look forward to showing Manchester what we have to offer.”
