UMBEL Restaurant Group’s launch of Skof in Manchester
Overview
About Skof and Tom Barnes
Skof, housed in Manchester’s iconic Hanover building in NOMA, is the first solo venture of Simon Rogan protégé Tom Barnes.
Skof brings a farm-to-table ethos to Manchester city centre, focusing on high quality ingredients, putting a smile on people’s faces, and creating an ‘unpretentious yet ambitious’ dining experience.
Tom spent 12 years at Rogan’s renowned UMBEL Restaurants – winning the Great British Menu in 2020 – and was Executive Chef at L’Enclume in the Lake District when it won its third Michelin Star in 2023.
The opportunity
Launching a brand-new concept restaurant in Manchester
Opening a restaurant of this profile in a landmark city-centre building involved a complex, multi-faceted process spanning property, licensing, commercial arrangements and wider operational considerations.
How we helped
Supporting Skof’s opening
Led by Partners David Roberts, Jonathan Edwards, Karen Procter, Rebecca Moore and Stephen Crook, a specialist, wide-ranging team spanning corporate, commercial, employment, financing and intellectual property came together to help the restaurant ready for opening.
From securing the lease and all licences for the venue to providing corporate, commercial, employment, financing and intellectual property advice, we also advised on the strategic partnership with venue management company ASM Global – building on the culinary partnership with Rogan and UMBEL Group at Manchester’s AO Arena – and provided commercial advice on how the collaboration between the two brands would work.
Our impact
The perfect recipe for a brand-new, premium dining experience
Skof has now completed its opening, bringing a highly-anticipated, new fine-dining destination to Manchester city centre.
Reflections from UMBEL Restaurant Group:
Sam Ward, Managing Director of UMBEL Restaurant Group, said:
“We’re delighted to have been able to support Tom in opening his first solo project. Opening restaurants in cities like Manchester is a complex and multi-faceted process and we’ve been ably assisted by the various departments across Knights.”
Reflections from Knights:
“It was a pleasure to be involved in this exciting project with Tom and the team at Umbel, which sees the conversion of a beautiful historic building in Manchester to a high quality restaurant. I am sure that they will have great success, and that their skill and talent will lead the way in establishing Manchester as a fine dining destination.”
Key results, in review:
- Supported the opening of a brand new restaurant in a prime Manchester location.
Find the right expertise
Get in touch and we’ll introduce you to the people best placed to advise you.