As a Business Development Manager at Ginger Hospitality, I am incredibly excited to attend the Northern Restaurant and Bar event this year. This event is a key highlight in the hospitality calendar, bringing together some of the biggest names in the industry. With so many exhibitors and speakers to look forward to, I wanted to share a few that I am particularly eager to see and why they stand out to me.
Large Brewers
One of the aspects of the event I am most looking forward to is seeing some of the major brewers, including Greene King and JW Lees. These companies have a huge presence in the North West and continue to shape the hospitality landscape with their vast networks of pubs, restaurants, and hotels. As Ginger Hospitality supports businesses across the industry, I am keen to explore how we can work more closely with companies of this scale.
Greene King is a giant in the UK’s hospitality sector, running over 2,700 pubs, restaurants, and hotels across the country. Since being founded in 1799, they have built a reputation for crafting fine ales and creating welcoming hospitality experiences.
Their portfolio includes well-known brands such as Chef & Brewer, Farmhouse Inns, Hungry Horse, and Flaming Grill, catering to a wide range of customers. Their focus on sustainability and quality food is something I find particularly interesting, and I look forward to learning more about how they continue to innovate in this space. Understanding how such an established brand maintains its growth and relevance in the modern industry will be incredibly insightful.
JW Lees has been brewing real ale in Greater Manchester since 1828 and operates over 140 pubs, inns, and hotels across North West England and North Wales. Their brewing heritage and dedication to producing top-quality beer are what set them apart.
Beyond their core range of beers, JW Lees releases limited-edition cask ales and experiments with craft beer through The Boilerhouse microbrewery. I am looking forward to seeing how they continue to push boundaries while maintaining their strong traditions in the industry. Their ability to balance heritage with innovation is something that all businesses in hospitality can learn from.
Amber Wood From NWTC
Amber Wood From NWTCAnother highlight for me will be hearing from Amber Wood of New World Trading Company (NWTC). NWTC has some fantastic restaurants in and around Manchester, and I am keen to hear her insights on brand expansion and strategic management.
I am particularly interested in how NWTC balances brand growth while maintaining unique customer experiences across its 33 bars and restaurants. With brands such as The Botanist, The Oast House, The Florist, and The Smugglers Cove, they have built a reputation for creating immersive hospitality spaces. With their ongoing expansion into Sunderland, Durham, and Bournemouth, it will be fascinating to hear how they approach operational challenges while continuing to innovate. Amber’s leadership has played a key role in these developments, and I am eager to gain insights that could be applied to other hospitality businesses.
A Wealth of Knowledge and Innovation
What excites me most about the Northern Restaurant and Bar event is the incredible wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion that will be present. Having spent 15 years in the industry, I know how valuable events like this are for learning, networking, and staying ahead of industry trends.
With so many industry leaders, established brands, and innovative companies under one roof, this event presents a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how the sector is evolving. Whether it’s learning from large brewers about scaling operations, gaining insights from industry leaders on brand expansion, or simply connecting with like-minded professionals, I know this year’s event will be invaluable.
I can’t wait to immerse myself in the experience and take away ideas that will help drive success in hospitality for years to come.
