EXCLUSIVE: James Martin To Open In Manchester

CELEBRITY chef James Martin plans to open a restaurant in Manchester city centre before the end of the year.

"It will be a similar concept to Leeds - good modern British food, honest food that people want trying to support local suppliers."

Confidential caught up with Martin at the International Cheese Awards, part of the Nantwich County Show.

He said he was looking to open five new restaurants in the North of England, including one in Manchester.

"We're looking at a couple of sites in Manchester," he said. "I can't tell you where though in case someone nicks the site.

"It will be a similar concept to Leeds - good modern British food, honest food that people want trying to support local suppliers.

"Too many chefs cook what they want instead of what people want to eat. I've spent a lot of time in Europe recently and it's really changed my ethos about the way I want to do things."

So there you go - Jamie's coming soon, and Sweet Baby James isn't far behind.

But where is Martin planning to open exactly? He was staying tight-lipped.

Confidential knows of one site he's already had a look at, not too far from the town hall, but we're sworn to secrecy.

Let the speculation commence...