NW debut for Handmade Burger

Handmade Burger Co has chosen Henry Boot Developments' Courthouse in Manchester's Deansgate for its first restaurant in the North West.

The family-owned business has taken a 15-year lease on a 2,000 sq ft unit in the Grade 2-listed development, scheduled to open in summer 2013. The restaurant will be on the ground floor on the corner of Deansgate and Hardman Street.

In March, Henry Boot sold the building for £4m to Manchester's 200-year-old Oddfellows friendly society, which will occupy the 17,000 sq ft of office space above the restaurants.

Adam Brady, head of Henry Boot Developments' Manchester office, said: "Following recent deals with the Oddfellows and Steve Pilling's Roast Restaurant and Oyster Bar, only 6,800 sq ft of restaurant/leisure space now remains available within the Courthouse and, given the unique space and calibre of the property, we expect to see strong interest."

Chris Sargeant, owner of the Handmade Burger Co, said: "We are delighted to be opening in Manchester and we can't wait to find out what visitors to the Courthouse think of our new restaurant. We pride ourselves on delivering quality food and award winning service, so we're sure that diners in this fantastic city will love the fresh food we make and the great variety we offer."

Handmade Burger Co operates 14 restaurants around the country and is based in Birmingham.