With just one month to go until Northern Restaurant & Bar 2025 (NRB25), the hospitality industry is gearing up for one of the most significant trade events of the year. Taking place on 11-12 March 2025 at Manchester Central, NRB25 promises two action-packed days of networking, innovation, and inspiration for hospitality professionals across the North and beyond.

 

About Northern Restaurant & Bar 2025

Sponsored by Uber Eats, NRB25 is a must-attend event for those in the hospitality sector, offering free tickets to industry workers. The event brings together hospitality operators and suppliers in a dynamic environment that fosters collaboration and showcases the latest developments in the industry.

Building on over 20 years of success, NRB25 continues its tradition of delivering insightful talks, engaging interviews, panel discussions, and live demonstrations that reflect the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality. This year, the event will also introduce a brand-new addition – lunch! NORTH, a sister event focused on the café, coffee shop, and food-to-go sectors. Having thrived in London for 16 years, lunch! NORTH now arrives in Manchester with the backing of Uber Eats, bringing together major brands and industry leaders.

 

Attendees networking and sampling drinks at the JW Lees & Co (Brewers) stand during Northern Restaurant & Bar 2024Exhibitors & Industry Giants at Northern Restaurant & Bar 2025

Northern Restaurant & Bar 2025 is set to feature an impressive array of exhibitors, showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations in the hospitality industry.

Attendees can look forward to engaging with major players such as Coca-Cola, Uber Eats, BrewDog, Fever-Tree, AU Vodka, Greene King, and Campari Group UK, which will make NRB25 its exclusive trade show appearance for 2025, focusing on the Spritz category.

In addition to these industry giants, the event will host over 350 exhibitors, including a diverse range of companies specialising in food and beverage products, technology solutions, and hospitality services. This extensive line-up offers a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with industry leaders and explore cutting-edge developments shaping the future of hospitality.

Full list of Exhibitors: https://exhibitormanual.thefoodshowsnorth.co.uk/nrb-exhibitor-list/

 

Speaker Line-Up:

The NRB25 speaker programme features an exceptional array of industry experts, offering insights into key trends, business strategies, and innovations. Some of the high-profile names speaking at this year’s event include:

  • Roy Ellis, CEO & Co-Founder of Mission Mars – Discussing the scalability of community-driven hospitality concepts.
  • Laura Harper-Hinton, CEO & Co-Founder of Caravan Restaurants – Sharing expertise on sustainable hospitality and the growth of all-day dining concepts.
  • Simon Potts, CEO of The Alchemist – Taking attendees behind the success of the UK’s most theatrical cocktail brand.
  • Joe Schofield, Owner of Schofield’s Bar – Providing insights into crafting a world-class cocktail experience in Manchester.
  • Kate Nicholls, OBE, Chief Executive of UKHospitality – Addressing key issues impacting the UK’s hospitality sector.

 

A chef presenting a live cooking demonstration at Northern Restaurant & Bar 2024's Chef Live stage, sponsored by UNOXNRB Chef Live: Showcasing Culinary Talent

NRB Chef Live will feature some of the UK’s top chefs demonstrating their skills, techniques, and expertise. Attendees will have the opportunity to see industry-leading chefs in action, including:

  • Tom Barnes (Founder of Skof, formerly of three-Michelin-starred L’Enclume)
  • Ollie Bridgewater (Executive Chef at Michelin-starred The Gilpin, Windermere)
  • Ruth Hansom (Owner of Hansom Restaurant & Wine Bar, and first female winner of the Roux Scholarship)

These culinary professionals will showcase their distinctive cooking styles, celebrating local produce and highlighting the North’s standing as a leader in fine dining.

 

NRB Keynote Theatre: Hospitality Success Stories

The NRB Keynote Theatre will host engaging discussions from top industry figures sharing their experiences and strategies for building successful hospitality brands. Key sessions include:

  • Roy Ellis (Mission Mars) on community-driven hospitality concepts
  • Laura Harper-Hinton (Caravan Restaurants) on sustainability and all-day dining
  • Simon Potts (The Alchemist) on experiential hospitality and business growth

 

NRB Pub & Bar Theatre: Expertise in Beer, Wine & Spirits

For those interested in the beverage sector, the NRB Pub & Bar Theatre will offer expert-led talks and tutored tastings from leaders in the drinks industry. Highlights include:

  • Joe Schofield (Schofield’s Bar) on elevating the Northern cocktail scene
  • Sessions from The London Essence Co. and Campari Academy UK
  • Industry insights from key beverage leaders on the latest trends in wine, beer, and spirits

 

Industry experts discussing hospitality marketing trends at the Marketing Leaders Panel at Northern Restaurant & Bar 2024The Arrival of lunch! NORTH

A key highlight of NRB25 is the launch of lunch! NORTH, a brand-new sister event dedicated to the café, coffee shop, and food-to-go sector. This expansion brings the acclaimed lunch! event – which has seen great success in London for 16 years – to Manchester for the first time.

Attendees can expect to connect with industry leaders, explore the latest trends in grab-and-go dining, and gain insights from top brands shaping the future of the sector. lunch! NORTH will feature major exhibitors, from premium coffee suppliers to innovative snack producers, reflecting the rapid growth and demand for high-quality, on-the-go food and drink options.

This inaugural northern edition of lunch! is backed by Uber Eats, solidifying its importance in the industry. The event will provide invaluable networking opportunities and access to expert-led talks, focusing on topics such as sustainability in grab-and-go dining, evolving consumer preferences, and the latest developments in café culture.

 

 

With just a month to go, Northern Restaurant & Bar 2025 is set to be one of the most important events in the hospitality calendar. Whether you’re a restaurateur, bar owner, chef, or supplier, this is an opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by some of the brightest minds in the industry.

NRB25 takes place on 11-12 March 2025 at Manchester Central. Free tickets for hospitality workers are available now – don’t miss out on this unmissable industry event!

Book your free ticket: https://eventdata.uk/Forms/Form.aspx?FormRef=NRB35Visitor&TrackingCode=NRB32