Hale bar and restaurant Victor’s has been named the Best Premium Restaurant in South Manchester at the Eat, Drink, Sleep Awards.
The awards, better known as ‘The Drinkies’, celebrates the hospitality industry across Greater Manchester.
The ceremony is held every two years, with a shortlist drawn up by public nominations and then a public vote over a two-week period to decide the winners.
The evening began with a moving tribute to Living Ventures founder Tim Bacon, who died last year.
James Hitchin, the founder of Victor’s owner East Coast Concepts, was also named Entrepreneur of the Year while Victor’s sister restaurant Neighbourhood, in Spinningfields, was awarded Best Premium Casual Restaurant in Central Manchester.
He said: “Tim was an inspiration to me and I’m sure to everybody in this room and I feel very humbled to follow in this award from Tim. I am delighted with the ongoing success of East Coast Concepts. I wouldn’t be stood here and on this journey from the start of it if it wasn’t for the team behind us.”
East Coast Concepts now has Neighbourhood, Spinningfields, Neighbourhood, Liverpool and Victor’s Hale. It is planning to add a further three restaurants this year.
Another winner on the night was Hale Barns restaurant Fox, which won the Chairman’s Choice prize in the Best Newcomer, South Manchester, category.
