The organiser of the Northern Restaurant and Bar exhibition says the North should use the sector to drive tourism and the economy.

Thom Hetherington, organiser of Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) exhibition, praised Northern hospitality standards as ‘very warm’ and having a sense of ‘regional pride’.

Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) exhibition takes over Manchester Central today and tomorrow, in a bid to give the region’s eating venues a boost.

Mr Hetherington said: “There is a huge regional pride surrounding Northern hospitality.

“You see it in local and regional provenance of the products and dishes on the menus.

“I think Northern service also has a very warm and human edge which people respond to.

“The North of England has some of the UK’s best restaurants, bars and producers, and we should be making more of that fact to drive tourism and economic impact.”

With more than 250 exhibitors, 65 live demos and 7,500 trade-only visitors, participators will partake in one of the North’s leading hospitality events.

Now in its 17th year, it will showcase new ideas, opportunities and services, as well as sourcing new products to help restaurants, bars and hotels to improve their businesses.

Mr Hetherington added: “Hospitality is a tough industry, it can be complex and isolating.

“We felt it was important to offer support, advice and information to help operators in the region achieve their potential.”

Over the two days there will be industry awards, a major conference, a charity dinner, and a ‘fringe’ of social events happening all over the city. In addition, there will be tastings and competitions.

The event is there to make sure that operators who attend will leave feeling inspired and informed, with a head-full of ideas to help them develop their businesses and enjoy meeting their peers and heroes too.

Mr Hetherington said: “We want professionals to learn things; new ideas, new approaches, information that is both nice to know and need to know.

“The exhibition can offer a great set of contacts, and, if they choose to do all of the various after parties and fringe events, quite a possible hangover.”  

For more information about the event and timetable, visit the Serving Northern Hospitality website.

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