With the arrival of a new year comes the opportunity to pause and reflect on the past.  And what a year 2023 has been for The Strong Agency.

We were delighted see our work recognised in not one but three industry-leading awards, with The Strong Agency crowned:

• PR Agency of the Year at the 2023 Prolific North Champions Awards
• Small Consultancy of the Year at the 2023 PRCA Dare Awards (North)
• Judges Choice Award at the 2023 MEN Business Awards

We were equally thrilled to see Strong founder Julie Wilson acknowledged and awarded Professional of the Year in the 2023 PRCA Dare Awards.  It is the third consecutive year that Jules has received the prestigious accolade and is an achievement of which we are incredibly proud.

October saw a move into new premises for The Strong Agency with us delighted to join the Bruntwood Works community at Bloc.  It’s an incredible office space located in the heart of Manchester and provides Strong’s clients with access to a suite of state-of-the-art facilities.

The move coincided with us welcoming fantastic new talent to the agency, expanding our ever strong PR and marketing communications team.

And it’s not just the team that has grown over the last 12 months.  We’ve been delighted to expand our portfolio of clients in a wide range of sectors.

We’ve launched and promoted some of the UK’s most exciting new hospitality venues including Liverpool’s highest alfresco bar, 360 Sky Bar; Gino D’Acampo’s latest outpost, Gino D’Acampo Boar Lane, in Leeds; and announced Upmarket Leisure’s acquisition of Radio Rooftop, one of London’s most iconic rooftop bars located at ME London hotel.

We were also thrilled to continue our work with the north’s most prestigious art fair, Manchester Art Fair, as it celebrated its 15th edition in the city.  It’s a story we were delighted to document on BBC Northwest Tonight.

We’ve been proud to contribute to the continued growth and success of all Strong’s clients with  Groobarbs Field Kitchen celebrating a hat-trick of food and drink accolades in the 2023 Taste Cheshire awards, Astra Group awarded Wayfinding Project of the Year at the 2023 UK Sign Awards, and Mint Property Finance crowned Best Short-Term Lender in the 2023 What Mortgage Awards.

We’ve navigated the continually evolving business and media landscape and delivered a 100% increase in linked YOY coverage for one client alone.

We move into 2024 with exciting plans in place and look forward to sharing more over the coming weeks and months.

Should you be looking to build your brand, launch a new product, drive increased sales, reach new audiences, or elevate your market position we’d love to discuss how together we can make your business stronger.

Here’s to a wonderful 2024.

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.

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.