Hatch to treble in size as phase two launches this June

Manchester’s award-winning food, drink and retail pop up destination Hatch at Circle Square has revealed plans for the exciting second phase of the concept, which is set to expand this June. Hatch will treble in size and evolve into a multipurpose, creative village of food, drink, retail, entertainment, roof terraces, creative workspace, public use and event spaces.

The expansion of Hatch will see the scheme grow from 2,480 sq ft to 11,840 sq ft spreading out right underneath the Mancunian Way creating an extraordinary new urban destination to explore right in the heart of the city.

Hatch has attracted thousands of visitors since it opened in December 2017 and has become a firm favourite within Manchester’s food, drink and retail scene attracting some of the most exciting independent operators around. The destination is a trailblazer for Circle Square, Manchester’s new city neighbourhood, set to open in 2020, allowing independent and creative businesses an opportunity to trial their operations within a flexible and dynamic neighbourhood and to grow organically as Circle Square develops. Hatch has given a ‘front door’ to over 35 small, independent traders from street food to lifestyle brands since it opened in December 2017, helping them grow and develop.

Phase Two of Hatch will be made up of multiple zones to explore…

Food and Drink

In addition to the existing Hatch open air courtyard (home to four frequently changing street food traders and anchor brands Takk and ÖL Nano Brewery & Bar), Hatch Phase Two will make room for a killer line up of even more independent food and drink brands. These will be situated underneath the Mancunian Way, creating a new food and drink village of kiosk-style street food, as well as larger, more permanent restaurant and bar operations. All will be housed in Hatch’s trademark shipping container units creating Manchester’s biggest semi-permanent street food destination, open from morning through to night.

Some of the bigger containers in this area will be double stacked and even feature their own open-air roof terraces.

Amongst the new and exciting food operators to be popping up in Hatch’s extended street food arena is Hanoi 75. They’ve converted a 1999 double-decker bus into a fabulous Vietnamese kitchen serving up a creative menu of cuisine from Vietnam’s capital city fused with other influences from South East Asia and all centred around the beautiful Bahn Mi! Expect fresh, fast Vietnamese sandwiches to take away, enjoy on the bus or anywhere at Hatch.

Shopping

Hatch Phase Two will include a brand-new shopping zone featuring 10 new containers installed with independent retailers and designers in mind. A range of exciting and innovative brands will join Hatch’s successful anchor retail trader, Nordic Muse. Jenny Maxwell started her Scandi inspired jewellery and homeware business at local makers’ markets and was able to take the plunge into a permanent city centre ‘front door’ at Hatch with their flexible and affordable opportunities. Jenny has been cultivating a strong following, profile and customer-base at her Hatch shop for eight months now, and is looking forward to welcoming a host of equally innovative retail neighbours aspiring to a similar journey. Expect to see some familiar faces in the new line-up as ex Hatch retail favourites including vinyl specialists Stutter & Twitch will be popping back up and some new faces such as Clay Studio. Clay Studio won the 2018 Hatch retail competition winning the prize of a 160 sq ft container to trade from for free for four weeks when Hatch Phase 2 launches.

Work Space and Studios

The Hatch Phase Two evolution will include the development of its own creative community with the addition of workspace and studios. These spaces will be home to creative independent businesses, makers, designers and artists who needs affordable, flexible (and unique) work space. Hatch’s new industrious zone will be a collaborative new community in the heart of the extended Hatch neighbourhood.

Events and Public Space

Hatch is all about supporting new ideas - collaborating with unique, independent brands to create something special and different that everyone can enjoy. That’s why the newly extended version of Hatch is inspired by a welcoming, festival atmosphere, complete with lots of cosy indoor and outdoor places to hang out or explore; twinkly lights; public art for all; and constantly changing areas to give visitors a new experience every time they visit. There’ll be lots of free public spaces to use – places to enjoy a Manchester morning over an excellent coffee, to watch the sun go down over cocktails and incredible food, to catch up on emails in an inspiring setting, to study or just to take a mindful moment and soak up the atmosphere.

There’ll be a stage, rooftop DJ terrace, and a multipurpose event space where people will be able to come together and enjoy live experiences and events – from music and gigs to community gatherings and who knows what else. Hatch may be getting bigger this summer, but it will remain independent, inclusive, disruptive, welcoming… and always for the curious. Plan your visit at hatchmcr.com.