We’re delighted to have been appointed by EASELprojects to manage the PR and communication for Manchester Art Fair as the acclaimed art and cultural event returns to the city this November 15-17.

Established in 2008, Manchester Art Fair is one of the largest and most significant art fairs in the UK and has amassed over £7m in art sales since inception.

This year’s edition will see over 170 UK and individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces brought together at Manchester Central, complemented by an impressive programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops.

It is the fifth consecutive year The Strong Agency has been tasked with promoting the fair, with the agency responsible for raising the profile of the event in the northern, national, and specialist arts press, and driving visiting attendance.

Speaking on the appointment, Director of Manchester Art Fair, Sophie Helm, said: “As we look forward to the return of Manchester Art Fair and The Manchester Contemporary this November 15-17, we are delighted to announce our work with The Strong Agency.

“The team’s reappointment is testament to the creative thinking, hard work, and incredible outcomes delivered by The Strong Agency over the past five years.  Their passion for the event is unwavering and The Strong Agency a valued extension of our marketing and event team.”

Strong founder, Julie Wilson, who has worked closely with the event organisers since inception and supported EASELprojects in shaping the PR and communications of the now internationally recognised event, added: “Designed for the collector, curator and the simply curious, Manchester Art Fair is a significant date in the UK & European cultural calendar.  We’re delighted to have the opportunity to further elevate the profile of the highly coveted event as we count down to the fair’s most impressive edition to date.

The appointment follows an in-depth strategic review of Manchester Art Fair and the event’s PR and marketing strategy.  Work is already underway with art enthusiasts invited to secure their place and save by booking advance tickets now at manchesterartfair.co.uk/tickets.

Iconic rooftop bar, Radio, has reopened at ME London to follow an extensive £2.5m refurbishment, and we’ve been delighted to lead the PR & communication.

Located in the heart of the West End, Radio rooftop bar is one of the capital city’s most coveted rooftop venues, affording spectacular views of London’s skyline, from St Paul’s Cathedral to the London Eye, The Shard, The Houses of Parliament and beyond.

Heralding a new era for ME London, the reopening of the iconic rooftop bar brings a fresh luxury lifestyle experience to the coveted 10^th floor venue, with classic and contemporary luxury furnishings fused with Eastern inspired detailing to create an environment that is sophisticated and yet playful.

Taking centre stage and one of the key attributes of the reimagined 220-seated venue is a beautiful back-lit onyx cocktail bar.  Trilateral in shape, the destination bar echoes the external structure of the luxury lifestyle hotel, from where Radio’s Asian-influenced discerning drinks menu can be experienced.

A menu of modern Asian dishes served with international flair effortlessly complements the drinks list delivered by Executive Chef Federico Crisafulli.  Formerly Executive Chef of the Italian Embassy in Tokyo and prior to this, Head Chef at Intercontinental Yokohama in Japan, and Michelin-starred Grand Hotel in Rome, Crisafulli brings with him a wealth of experience in Asian and international cuisine.

Reservations for Radio rooftop bar are open now and can be made at [email protected].

For more information on the launch, which in little over two months has seen 55 features generated in the aspirational media and with a combined 7m reach, please contact [email protected].  Radio rooftop bar is owned and operated by Upmarket Leisure.

We’re delighted to introduce Outside Of Ordinary to Strong’s portfolio of clients.

Specialists in building authentic active and outdoor brands that better connect to people and planet, Outside of Ordinary offers extraordinary thinking for brands looking to create a better future.

Working in close partnership with the agency, Strong will shine a light on Outside of Ordinary’s impactful work, further raising the profile of the expert team and its breadth of exceptional services in a suite of specialist media outlets.

With an impressive roster of clients under Outside of Ordinary’s belt including Adidas Terrex, Montane, Ronhill, TOG24, Alpkit, Mountain Equipment, Ribble Cycles, and the British Mountaineering Council, there are no shortage of powerful stories to tell.

We’re looking forward to sharing them.

We were delighted to close the year with some fantastic news, as we revealed Gino D’Acampo’s plans to launch a new restaurant and bar in the heart of Manchester – Gino D’Acampo Manchester.

The new premium Italian restaurant and bar will open at INNSiDE by Melia hotel in February to follow an extensive £800k refurbishment of the coveted First Street venue, which the acclaimed Italian chef’s experienced team currently operates under the First Street Bar & Kitchen brand.

Designed by renowned international restaurant designer Bernard Carroll, the look and feel of the new premium Italian restaurant and bar will be chic and contemporary, with Gino’s signature feature wallpaper, marble topped tables, brass finishes, and ambient lighting introduced throughout the 200-seated open-plan restaurant and bar lounge.

Behind the scenes, modifications to the restaurant’s kitchen will enable Gino and his esteemed team of chefs to bring his full menu to INNSiDE Manchester, including the Italian chef’s coveted real Neapolitan pizzas, signature dishes, and new table theatre plates, which further enhance the guest experience.

Speaking on the announcement, Gino D’Acampo said: “I couldn’t be more pleased to announce plans for Gino D’Acampo at INNSiDE Manchester. I have a long relationship with the city having opened one of my first restaurants here almost ten years ago and I’m delighted to return to the heart of Manchester, as planned. It has always been our intention to open a Gino here, at the beautiful INNSiDE Manchester hotel, and I’m looking forward to launching this early next year.”

For just a taste of the feature coverage enjoyed in the target trade and regional heartland media, see: The Caterer, Restaurant Online, Hospitality & Catering News, Manchester Evening News, I Love Manchester and The Manc.

Football legend Paul Scholes has joined forces with children Arron and Alicia to open a new state-of-the-art gym,  Scholes Gym, in his hometown, Oldham.

The 10,000 sq. ft development, designed by award-winning designer Mark Mason, sees a £500k investment, bringing new life to Lees Road.

Designed over two floors, the impressive facility features a functional fitness area with personalised track; personalised steel dumbbells; pin and plate loaded elite bodybuilding machines; a bespoke Astroturf; and top-of-the-range kit such as the plate loaded fly, which is designed to hit all chest muscle fibres.

Members also have access to a Batak reaction machine, a piece of kit rarely found outside of professional sports studios and applauded by elite sportspeople including Paul for improving reaction, hand eye coordination and stamina.

A range of cardio equipment with treadmills, assault bikes, rowers and ski ergs is also available to members with an enclosed studio playing host to cardio, strength, and conditioning classes including HIIT, Functional Fitness, and Abs Blast.

The Strong Agency was pleased to promote the launch providing media with an exclusive first look at the gym.  Widespread broadcast, print and online coverage was enjoyed including ITV News, TalkSport, The Manchester Evening News, The Manc, Global, Manchester World, Insider Media to name but a few.

Scholes Gym is open now.  To register visit www.scholesgym.com.

The UK’s favourite Italian chef Gino D’Acampo has opened the doors to his incredible new Sky Bar at INNSiDE Liverpool and we’ve been pleased to invite the media in.

Located on the 18^th floor of the impressive new hotel, the Sky Bar provides enviable 360-degree views of Liverpool and beyond and they’ve been gripping the attention of media and guests alike.

Open from 12pm until late seven days a week, the coveted venue boasts a cocktail list that guarantees to see guests lusting for the weekend or an indulgent after work drink.  Created by Gino’s expert team of mixologists, expect to find an impressive mix of classic and signature drinks complemented by an inviting list of Italian small plates, Cicchetti, perfect for date nights, an indulgent bite over business, or enjoyed with family and friends.

Guests looking for a more substantial meal are invited to dine at Gino D’Acampo Old Hall Street the Italian chef’s impressive restaurant located on the ground floor of the hotel.  Combining vast ceiling to floor windows, an extensive bar, and stylish open plan lounge and restaurant area, it’s the perfect place to see and and be seen.

For further information or to make a reservation visit: www.ginodacampohotelsandleisure.com or for further media information and reviews please contact [email protected]

Gino D’Acampo is celebrating the launch of his new London restaurant, Luciano, located at the five-star ME London hotel.

Named after his first born, 19-year-old son Luciano, the beautiful 100-cover restaurant harnesses the five-star world-operating standards for which ME by Meliá is recognised, bringing upmarket Italian dining to the heart of the West End.

It’s a significant move for the leading Italian chef, with plans for further premium national and international restaurant openings.

In-keeping with the contemporary and cutting-edge design of the ME London hotel, Luciano is impressive, combining polished white marble surfaces and rich warm woods with bold wall coverings and brushed gold accent features to create a space that is both stylish and sophisticated, and yet relaxed.

At the rear of the restaurant an impressive open kitchen commands attention, headed by Executive Head Chef Lorenzo Minini.  The acclaimed chef has, throughout his 12-year career, worked at some of the capital’s most-celebrated restaurants including StreetXO, C-London Cipriani and Osteria San Lorenzo.

The à-la-carte menu, designed by Gino D’Acampo and Minini, is fitting for its location, incorporating a generous selection of Italian classic dishes with a focus on quality and ingredient provenance.

An authentic Italian service adds to the premium and yet informal dining experience, available to guests all day, every day with a brunch, lunch and dinner service until late.  An in-room dining service is also available for guests of the ME London hotel with Luciano working with the luxury hotel to host both corporate and lifestyle gatherings in the hotel’s incredible event spaces such as the Radio Rooftop and Marconi Lounge.

The Strong Agency is proud to work with Gino D’Acampo Hotels & Leisure.   For further media information or to arrange a review please contact [email protected]

Simon Shaw, chef patron and creative director of El Gato Negro & Canto, has revealed plans for his third restaurant, Habas.

Opening this spring, the modern Middle Eastern restaurant and bar, located in the lower ground floor of a beautiful Grade 2 heritage building in Manchester, will provide premium drinks, dining, and live music until late.

The restaurant will be headed up by the multi-award-winning chef patron, supported by senior sous chef, Craig Rutherford.  It will focus on Shaw’s modern interpretation of Middle Eastern dishes, influenced by the region’s rich and varied cultures, with a greater emphasis on group dining alongside intimate dinners.

We’re keeping details of the design under wraps for now although diners can expect a total transformation of the expansive space with elements of the historic building lovingly restored in-keeping with Shaw’s sibling restaurants.

In Shaw’s own words; “It will be the type of venue that I like to go to.”

Upon launch Habas will be the third restaurant from acclaimed chef Simon Shaw, joining multi-award-winning El Gato Negro and sister restaurant Canto.  Both restaurants were recognised in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland, 2021, with El Gato Negro, Manchester, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the fifth consecutive year, and Canto awarded a prestigious Plate MICHELIN.

Habas will be located at 43a Brown St, in the heart of Manchester.  For further news and developments sign up to the restaurant and bar’s newsletter at habas.co.uk or follow Habas on @habasmcr

This week saw some welcome good news for the hospitality industry as the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2021  was unveiled.

There was much to celebrate at El Gato Negro as the acclaimed Spanish tapas restaurant was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for the fifth year running.

The King St restaurant is the only Manchester city centre establishment to be honoured with a Michelin Bib Gourmand in this year’s list and to receive the accolade for five consecutive years.  El Gato Negro, Manchester, is led by Head Chef Milan Sojka for whom this is personally a second accolade, having also steered the King St restaurant to success in 2020.

Introduced in 1955 the Michelin Bib Gourmand list puts a spotlight on restaurants for providing “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.”

Providing further cause for celebration sister restaurant Canto was also listed by the prestigious guide.  Launched in September 2018 in the heart of Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, the Mediterranean tapas restaurant has, under the tutelage of Creative Director and Chef Patron Simon Shaw, and Head Chef Carlos Gomes, quietly established itself as one of Ancoats’ best restaurants and bars, loved for its laidback atmosphere and consistently good small plates.

Speaking on the success of El Gato Negro and Canto, Chef Patron and Creative Director Simon Shaw said: “In what has been such a tough year for everyone, to get the news that we have been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand is incredible and has given all involved a real lift.  It is one thing to be awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand but to keep it is massive and a real testament to the work of Milan and the team.

“To see Canto listed alongside El Gato Negro is something else.  To be recognised by the Michelin Guide in such a short space of time is a great achievement and hopefully something we can build upon from here.  He’s not a fan of the spotlight but this is deserved recognition for Carlos, and I couldn’t be more pleased for him.  It’s exciting to think what we could continue to achieve.”

El Gato Negro is one of the country’s most celebrated modern Spanish restaurants and Canto a real rising star.  We couldn’t be more proud to work with the team and are raising a glass to all involved.

Read more at The Business Desk, I Love Manchester, Manchester Evening News, and Manchester Confidential amongst others.

It’s been two weeks since UK restaurants were permitted to reopen and what a two weeks its been.

We’ve been thrilled to work with Individual Restaurants in promoting every one of the group’s amazing restaurant’s return, with 23 venues reopened across the UK to date.  An ongoing, phased roll-out scheme will see the doors to the entire estate open in just a few weeks.

The safety of all guests is Individual Restaurant’s number one priority with the team working tirelessly to create safe and stylish dining environments for guests to enjoy.  The following linked video produced by the Group and on which we were pleased to support, documents just some of the new safety measures introduced.

An incredible job delivered by an incredible team.  Generating coverage for each and every reopening has been our pleasure.