Southern Eleven owners to open two more restaurants in Manchester

The trio, who opened the 200-cover Neighbourhood restaurant in Spinningfields in 2012 following the launch of Southern Eleven in 2011, are planning to open a secret speakeasy bar in Spinningfields in March, followed by an American-style brasserie in Manchester city centre in September. 

Both, as yet unnamed developments are being funded by the business itself and will be totally separate concepts from the existing ones, according to James. 

"We like to do individual concepts to keep them interesting and innovative for our customers.  We don't want to keep repeating the same ideas, there are so many exciting concepts and ideas out there to be developed," he said. 

Spinningfields​

James's wife and the company's creative director Karina, said a close working relationship forged with Allied London had helped them secure another site at Spinningfields.

The company is also planning to expand its Southern Eleven site into the Brooks Brothers unit it backs onto at the end of March and is investing in a smoke house and development kitchen for the site where its chefs will be able to work on new dishes and customers will be able to order drinks and smoked meats. 

“We have been fortunate to have a close working relationship with Allied London who develop the Spinningfields area. They believed in us and Neighbourhood’s concept so much that they signed us as a flagship unit to attract other business to the area-which has happened," said Karina. 

“We are extremely proud of what we have achieved together as a small team. There is a wealth of food and drink establishments in Manchester City Centre with some companies having launched more than four last year alone. To be standing alongside them as a trio proves that some of the risks we have taken worked." 

Southern Eleven and Neighbourhood have proved to be successful businesses for the company with both venues playing host to Premier League football team celebrations and Southern Eleven chosen as the venue for Everton's end of season dinner.