Manchester’s newest eatery will open its doors next week following a £3.5m revamp of the city’s historic Memorial Hall.
These pictures show an exclusive first glimpse inside the Albert Square Chop House.
The restaurant is the latest offer from the Victorian Chop House Company, who are behind Mr Thomas’s and Sam’s Chop Houses – two of the city’s best-loved restaurants.
The latest revamp will bring back into use one of the city’s grade-II listed gems.
The Memorial Hall was built in 1866 and has sat empty for more than a decade.
The Venetian Gothic-style building, on the corner of Albert Square and Southmill Street, has undergone a £3.5m refit to become a pub and restaurant.
There are also plans to open a boutique hotel above the new business.
The Chop House will enjoy its official opening next Thursday and also offers a boardroom and function room. The scheme has created 72 new jobs.
Victorian Chop House Company owner Roger Ward, who is behind the scheme with business partner Alister Cook, said: “We are hugely excited at the prospect of giving the city centre’s finest historic square a high-quality dining and drinking destination.
“English Heritage says this is probably the finest building of its type in the country and I am really excited to be bringing it back to life.
“The refit is a mix of historic and contemporary styles. I’d love this to be a catalyst for more life in Albert Square and a real asset to the city.”
Memorial Hall was designed by Victorian architect Thomas Worthington. It was originally built for the Unitarian Church and became a meeting place for Victorian groups including Sir Charles Halle’s choir.
The building was formerly home to the Square Albert pub, which closed 10 years ago.
Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese said: “This is a magnificent building and it is great news that a Manchester firm is breathing new life into it.
“It will also create much-needed jobs.”