60 Hope Street shortlisted for Outstanding SME at the Food Northwest Awards

The 60 Hope Street Group, set in the heart of Liverpool’s Cultural Quarter has been nominated for Outstanding SME of the Year at the Food Northwest Awards 2010. This is a business that is enjoying real success, expanding its presence with the opening of The Quarter Deli earlier this year, creating eight new local jobs and taking its annual turnover to £3.2 million.

Gary Manning, Co-Owner of The 60 Group said:

“We are thrilled with our nomination as Outstanding SME at the Food Northwest Awards and the recognition we have received from such a prestigious industry body. My brother Colin and I have been working to build up The 60 Hope Group since the opening of our first restaurant, 60 Hope Street, over eleven years ago. With the additions of HOST, The Quarter and, most recently, The Quarter Deli we have built up a family of unique venues and sourced the best local employees to maintain the upmost standards that we set out when we fist began our journey as restuaranteurs.”

The Group is made up of three eateries based in and around the Hope Street area - 60 Hope Street, HOST and The Quarter. Brothers, Colin and Gary Manning, who hail from West Derby, opened the first of the group’s restaurants, the flagship 60 Hope Street, within its Grade II listed Georgian building, on St. George’s Day in 1999.

The 60 Group currently employs around 127 people form the local community, thirty of which are employed by 60 Hope Street with the remainder being employed by HOST, The Quarter and the newly-opened The Quarter Deli.

“We are a family-owned and family run business and its diversity is what gives it its strength. We know the area really well and each of our restaurants add a different dynamic to the business. Job creation has been extremely important due to the economic climate and the launch of The Quarter Kitchen created eight new positions for the local population at the beginning of this year.

“Winning this award would give us an opportunity to engage with other businesses and suppliers we may have not already worked with before, increasing awareness of our quality offering, increase staff satisfaction and help with ongoing recruitment and retention. This award would also help raise recognition for our local suppliers, identifying the integral role that their quality produce has had in helping us achieve this prestigious SME accolade.”

60 Hope Street offers a modern British menu that highlights the best of local produce within a 60 mile radius of the restaurant. Head Chef, Sarah Kershaw prides herself on utilising fresh, seasonal produce to create contemporary dishes with flair.

The winners at the Food Northwest Awards 2010 will be announced at a fabulous Gala Dinner on the evening of the 24th June 2010 at Manchester’s historic Midland Hotel.