Uber Eats has been revealed as the headline sponsor of the March’s Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) trade show at Manchester Central – its third consecutive year of sponsorship.
This year’s event comes as several big names from the industry in the host city appeal for government help in the face of several recent high-profile closures nationwide. However, NRB’s figures suggest all is not lost for the Northern sector – it reports that Northern cities saw a growth in sales in managed pubs, bars and restaurants, with an average of 7.2% growth.
Newcastle (12.7%) and York (9.2%) lead the uptrend, followed by Sheffield (7.1%), Liverpool (6.8%), Chester (5.6%), Manchester (4.8%), and Leeds (4.4%), as well as an average of 48 new openings per week in the year to October.
The numbers are, however, tempered by a 2.5% decline in total venue numbers across the British pub, bar, and restaurants to October.
Uber Eats, the global food on-demand app and website, collaborates with over 63,000 restaurants and merchants across more than 330 cities in the UK and Ireland, ranging from Northern favourites like Manchester’s Archies and Newcastle’s Fat Hippo to well-known international brands such as PizzaExpress, Greggs, and Five Guys.
Amidst the substantial challenges facing the hospitality industry in 2024, the Northern Restaurant & Bar event becomes even more crucial. The trade show offers a comprehensive platform to explore the latest offerings in food, drink, equipment, tabletop, furniture, interior design, technology, and services.
Matthew Price, Uber Eats UK general manager, said: “Uber Eats is delighted to be the headline sponsor of Northern Restaurant and Bar 2024. The North of England has some of the best restaurants in the country and it is fantastic that many of the leading lights are coming together for NRB 2024. Uber Eats only succeeds when restaurants succeed, and we are looking forward to what will be a brilliant two days.”
Siobhan Thompson, Event Manager for NRB24, added: “We are thrilled to have Uber Eats back as our headline sponsor for NRB24. Their continued prominence in the hospitality industry is evident, especially with the notable growth in delivery sales this year. They provide so much value to our trade show and we eagerly anticipate what this year has in store.”
NRB24 takes place March 12-13 at Manchester Central, and is expected to attract over 8,500 attendees and 300+ exhibitors. Confirmed exhibitors include Unox UK, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Greene King, Aviko, Vimto out of Home, Welbilt, Hotel Chocolat, Nespresso Professional, Lucky Saint, Franklin & Sons, Continental Quattro Stagioni, I want plants, Illy caffe and many more. The evnt will also host the return of Kuits NRB Top Fifty Power List, plus an exclusive keynote culinary luminaries, Simon Rogan and Tom Barnes.
