MediaCity hails strong opening weekend for new food and drink market
Central Bay, the new £3.5million waterfront dining and drinking destination championing the independent market at Quayside MediaCity, has clocked up 10,000 paying customers during its opening weekend.
Its opening coincided with the launch of Central Bay’s first anchor tenant – Kargo MKT food hall, operated by the award-winning Blend Family, which handled over 10,000 transactions in its first trading weekend alone and is predicting an additional 18,000 by the end of its first full week of trading.
The opening of Kargo MKT’s 20 food hall and street vendor kitchens marks the start of more food and drink operations at the site, with a microbrewery planned to open later this Autumn.
Salford brewer Seven Brothers are to open a 7,000 sq ft, microbrewery – 11 Central, which will offer visitors a mix of drinks including limited edition beers, food, live music, bar games, as well as gin making classes.
A further four standalone units have been earmarked for independent food and beverage operators which over look the 2,000 sq ft south facing waterfront terrace which can accommodate up to 600 visitors outdoors.
The investment in Central Bay is the first major development for residents, workers and visitors to MediaCity and the wider Quays, which has often been criticised for lacking atmosphere and amenities alongside the prestigious occupiers such as the BBC, ITV, Ericsson, THG, Kellogg’s and over 250 creative and tech businesses and which even the management of the site described as being “a long time coming”.
Stephen Wild, Managing Director at MediaCity said: “The development of this part of Quayside MediaCity has been a long time coming so we are all so proud to be welcoming the public through the doors of Central Bay, alongside our partner and operator Blend Family. Partnerships are at the heart of MediaCity’s offering – it’s what brings this unique ecosystem to life – and we’re fully invested in our partnerships with Blend Family and Seven Brothers Brewing Co to make Central Bay somewhere truly special.
“The investment in Central Bay is just the start of a wide range of updates and improvements which the community will seeing coming forward over the next few months and years.”
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “We are thrilled to hear the success of the new Central Bay. Not only is this a great new offer for residents and visitors alike, but it also perfectly aligns with the hard work we are putting into ‘Visit Salford,’ our ongoing campaign to help attract tourism to our vibrant city.
“Salford Quays 2030 is a commitment to crafting a dynamic, inclusive, and thriving destination, where jobs and growth and opportunities are created that local people can benefit from.”
