AS AN INDEPENDENT OPERATOR, OPENING YOUR FIRST VENUE IS SOMETHING THAT BOTH CONSUMES AND ENGRAINS ITSELF IN YOU.

CORD WAS A ONE-OFF THAT DIDN’T TRY OR TICK BOXES, TUCKED AWAY ON A BACK STREET, IT INADVERTENTLY BOUND A COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES BECOMING A MODERN TWIST ON A TRADITIONAL BOOZER. EVERYBODY AND THEIR AUNT PLAYING BEHIND THE DECKS, OIPOLLOI DOING TABLE FOOTBALL, AND 200 SCOOTERS CREATING GRIDLOCK AT MANI’S BEAT CLUB (RESULTING IN ME HAVING SOME SERIOUS EXPLAINING TO DO AT THE POLICE STATION.)

ACROSS THE STREET WE OPENED CENTRO, AND TOOK OVER AN 18TH CENTURY MANSION OF A BOOZER CALLED THE RAMPANT LION - WHICH SAW THE CORAL PLAYING IN THE GARDEN AND PJ HARVEY PLAYING IN THE BASEMENT.

THOMAS RESTAURANT & BAR SAW A NEW DIRECTION FOR ME AS A FOOD LED OPERATOR WITH YVONNE AND NICKY. SET OVER 3 FLOORS IN A FORMER SKATE SHOP, WE CUT OUT THE CONCRETE CEILING TO THE 1ST FLOOR CREATING AN ARCHITECTURAL DOUBLE HEIGHT SPACE, FASHIONED AN INSIDE OUTSIDE TERRACE AND BALCONY, RESULTING IN AN ULTRA MINIMAL INTERIOR SET IN AN UNASSUMING 70’S BUILDING GIVING A NEW TWIST TO THE STYLE OF VENUES THAT SURROUNDED IT.

DURING THIS TIME I WORKED WITH GARY MCCLARNAN (SPARKLE STREET) TO PULL OFF A SERIES OF STREET FESTIVALS NAMELY THOMAS ST TREAT AND N4 LOVES U – A REACTION TO THE MANCHESTER RIOTS SEEING 30,000 PEOPLE DANCING IN THE STREETS OVER THE WEEKEND!