PURPOSE-LED
This March, the North’s café, coffee shop and FTG sectors return to centre stage with the second edition of lunch! NORTH, the trade show celebrating the best in innovation and expertise, sponsored by Uber Eats. Taking place at Manchester Central on 10-11 March 2026, it brings together professionals from across this growing industry for two days of discovery and connection.
Co-located with the Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB26), lunch! NORTH offers a unique opportunity to explore emerging trends, connect with leading suppliers and hear from some of the industry’s most respected voices. Together, the two shows create an unrivalled platform for the northern hospitality community, welcoming more than 350 exhibitors under one roof.
From artisan bakeries to fresh FTG formats, the North’s café and coffee shop sectors continue to diversify and expand. In recent years, the North West has emerged as one of the UK’s most dynamic bakery regions, accounting for 17% of all new openings nationwide.
Whether you’re an independent, a director of a multi-site coffee shop or from a local or national FTG operator, lunch! NORTH delivers tailored insights and resources designed to support business growth. With a strong focus on practical strategies and takeaways, the event offers a game-changing opportunity for professionals.
THEATRE, PANELS, SESSIONS
This year once again features a range of FTG leaders, each sharing valuable insights into the future of the sector. Among the first confirmed speakers is Nick Ayerst, MD of GAIL’s. His session on day two will explore the brand’s continued expansion and sustained growth, offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of the UK’s most successful bakery businesses.
Also confirmed is Matt Farrell, co-founder of Bold Street Coffee, who have expanded across the North West. With six sites operating across Liverpool, Manchester and Derbyshire, and more openings planned, Farrell will discuss the challenges of scale.
The Marketing Leaders Panel features Annabel Mackie, director at itsu, focuses on FTG brands getting cut-through in 2026 and beyond. Drawing on experience from a business with more than 70 outlets across the UK, Mackie will offer valuable insights on competitive markets.
Key exhibitors include:
- Blendsmiths Drinkmakers: offering expertly crafted artisan beverage blends for a premium café or coffee shop experience.
- Simply Lunch: freshly made sandwich supplier with 45 years of experience creating and delivering delicious products.
- UCC Coffee: delivering exceptional experiences for progressive brands in foodservice, hospitality and retail, powered by specialist coffee and standout equipment.
- Hu Kitchen: Chocolate crafted with simplicity and purity in mind, using minimal organic ingredients to deliver ethically sourced, delicious and health-conscious products.
- Carrs Pasties: handcrafted delights made using traditional recipes and wholesome ingredients.
lunch NORTH is from 10-11 March at Manchester Central, with complimentary access to NRB26. Register now for free trade tickets here and visit lunchnorth.co.uk for more details.
