Manchester’s got talent: shortlist announced for first ever city awards

Championing organisations ranging from fashion to entertainment, sport to hospitality, food and drink, the night time economy and prominent organisations and individuals from around the city, the first ever This is Manchester Awards are set to take place on November 8th.

Celebrating the best of the best, the awards ceremony, which is sponsored by popular Rochdale-based footwear brand Footasylum, aims to highlight the incredible talent brimming out of Greater Manchester. Looking at the shortlist, we can see why.

All nominations for the awards have been assessed by an expert panel including BRIT Awards’ Ged Doherty, ex-footballer Joleon Lescott, BBC’s Kate Squire, Capital FM’s Adam Brown and Manchester Pride CEO Mark Fletcher.

Funds raised at the event will be donated to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund and a special Super Nova award chosen by the judges on the night will also made at the glitzy awards party.

“When I was starting out I had no choice but to move away to pursue my dream,” said head judge Ged Doherty, chairman of the British Phonographic Industry and BRIT Awards Limited and co-founder of Raindog Films, who grew up in Wythenshawe.

“But I’m pleased to say that this wouldn’t be the case today. The city is a hotbed for the arts and alive with creativity and support. I was proud to be asked to contribute to these amazing awards.”

The shortlist is as follows:

Leading Formal Restaurant

Tattu, Asha’s, 20 Stories, Australasia, Manchester House, Grafene, Adam Reid at The French, Wood Manchester, Fazenda, Menagerie.

Leading Smart Casual Restaurant

Evuna, The Clarence (Bury), Eagle and Child, Hispi, The Allotment, Masons, Albert Square Chop House, Rudy’s Pizza.

Leading Chef

Nathanial Toffan – Manchester House, Matthew Nutter – The Allotment, Adam Reid – The French, Simon Wood – Wood, Ashwani Rangta – Asha’s.

Leading Bar

Impossible, Neighbourhood, Cloud 23, Menagerie, Dirty Martini, Albert’s Schloss, Lazy Lizard, The Fitzgerald

Leading Hotel

Hilton Hotel, Hotel Gotham, King Street Townhouse, Innside, The Lowry Hotel, City Suites, Hotel Football, The Principal, The Mere Golf & Spa Resort, The Midland Hotel

Leading Live Event

The People’s Concert, Soccer Aid, Wythenshawe Games, Head for the Hills, Manchester Pride, Bee in the City MCR, One Love, Sound of the City 2018

Leading Live Music Venue

Lancashire Cricket Ground, Gorilla, Albert Hall, Manchester Arena, Bury’s The Met, Victoria Warehouse.

Leading Cultural Venue

Manchester Hall, Imperial War Museum, Bury’s The Met.

Force for Fashion Award

Pretty Little Thing, Nadine Merabi, Forever Unique, Boda Skins.

Leading Technology / Digital Innovator

VST Enterprises, ANS Group, IWM North, UK Fast, Peak

Sporting Venue

Etihad Stadium, Lancashire Cricket Ground

Individual Making a Difference in the Community

Linda Brogan – Excavating Reno, Ezi Otti Ojimiwe – Camp Evolution, Rebecca Wilson – DMSF, Mark Fletcher – Manchester Pride, Joanne Freeman – Brainwave

Organisation Making a Difference in the Community

GG Hospitality, City in the Community, Aspire Recruitment, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, One Manchester Housing Trust, Manchester Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia Service, Currency of Kindness, Reform Radio, ANS Group, UK Fast, Eat Pennines

Centenary Woman of the Year

Jennie Johnson MBE, Tracey Neville MBE, Carole Nash MBE, Karina Jadhav, Diane Modahl MBE, Gail Jones, Seema Malhotra, Nadine Merabi, Dr Robina Shah MBE

For tickets and table availability email [email protected].

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