King Street set for addition to bar scene

Manchester City Council has given the go-ahead for the ground floor unit at APAM’s grade two-listed 60 Spring Gardens to be converted from offices to a café and bar, operated by Roc & Rye.

Roc & Rye is a new company established by directors Sean Finnegan, Matthew Bonner and Maritza Haydon. The proposed new bar will offer daytime trade in craft coffee as well as alcoholic drinks and a night time venue. The unit has been granted a 10am-3am alcohol license seven days a week.

Located in Upper King Street’s conservation area and originally designed by local architect Alfred Waterhouse, 60 Spring Gardens was previously used as an office but has been vacant for some time.

Designed by architect Pickard Design, the fit out and style of the bar is expected to be in keeping with the surrounding uses and complement other leisure units in the area.

Rachel Jones, planner at HOW Planning, who advised APAM on the application, said: “Roc & Rye will be a unique bar concept in an area which already contains a mix of office and leisure uses.  We were able to draw upon our extensive heritage experience to ensure the new proposals helped to protect a city centre listed building, whilst offering an exciting new prospect for this part of the city centre.”