The sun is beating down on the St John’s district and truth be told when we made our way to the area, we weren’t sure what to expect.
The neighbourhood is an indisputable sun trap and on a day like this, you would expect somewhere with outdoor seating, offering a nice cool drink to be bustling with people.
However, to many it’s still a relatively unknown area of Manchester city centre, and few visited for a long time. Although it was home to Granada Studios, after ITV and the BBC moved to Salford Quays, there was little reason to go.
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That is until now, where a real transformation has been taking place and the area is buzzing. One of the best ways to spend a sunny day in the city is to head down to a beer garden or public spaces. Traditionally, this saw people flooding to the Northern Quarter or one of the many bars in Spinningfields.
St John’s is becoming increasingly popular
However, now there is a new contender. St John’s has truly come into it’s own. The idea to create a neighbourhood and a new hangout for the people of Manchester is taking shape and the vision is finally coming true.
A lot of money has gone into this development. Over £1bn is being spent to transform the area, and it seems that money is starting to pay off.
The £280m Aviva Studios opened here in 2023, residents live in a 36-storey ‘co-living’ apartment tower, Soho House occupies the old Granada Studios building, and TV production has returned with ABC and Versa Studios. Big businesses also occupy the towers in the immediate vicinity.
The firm behind St John’s is Allied London, which developed Spinningfields two decades ago. CEO Mike Ingall oversaw both projects. The two areas are now often compared and it seems that people are making the move to the previously deserted area of the city centre.
People enjoying the sun in St John’s
It is some of these businesses, who have been here since the beginning of the development who can give a true insight into the development of the area. Booking.com are amongst the big name businesses who moved into the area before much of the development took place.
Angelique and her colleagues are sat outside basking in the sun on their lunch break before heading back into a day of meetings. They’ve been working in the area for three years and say they have noticed the growth in popularity in the area over the past few months and years.
Angelique said: “Yeah it’s definitely growing, there’s so many more people out than you would’ve had a few years ago. It’s great to see, especially in weather like this it can be packed.”
Angelique and colleagues who have worked in the area for 3 years
And packed it was, seating outside Caravan and Trading Route was almost full to the brim. And those who weren’t able to sit outside at Caravan, an all-day restaurant and bar, were able to enjoy a bit of the sunshine as the ceiling to floor windows were swung open to bring the outside in.
There were also many enjoying the other facilities the area provides, such as Courts Club, where many were sunning on the loungers or even playing a game of tennis. New opening’s such as Mollie’s diner and motel are blowing up on social media and bringing even more traction to the area.
This growth in popularity has to start somewhere, taking a leap of faith to go and try this new developing part of town. For some, this is their first time in the area and it’s safe to say they’re impressed.
Simone Williams and Chloe Ashworth are in the area for the first time, out on a meal with their work colleagues.
Simone and Chloe were at Trading Route for a meal with work
Simone said: “We would definitely consider it next time, now we know what’s here. We don’t really come to this area of town, but we are here with our work for a meal and it’s really nice, especially in the sun.
The pair said their usual go to would be the Northern Quarter, with it’s large amount of outdoor seating, in this weather it is no surprise. They are amongst a few who are venturing out of the comforts of Northern Quarter to explore the area.
Estelle Sheppard and Meera Qassim were on the hunt for a coffee shop which brought them to St John’s. They don’t live over on this side of town so coming to these parts is a rarity, but they too are visiting Grape Street for the first time.
“We wouldn’t usually come to this side of town, we are usually in the Northern Quarter,” Estelle said. “We just wanted something new, a bit of a change, but it seems really nice around here.”
Estelle and Meera were in the area for the first time
The comparison to the bars and restaurants in Stevenson’s Square is one you cannot escape in this conversation about the area. Many of the people who we spoke to were young professionals and were much of the same crowd you might expect to see somewhere like the Northern Quarter.
Owen was out celebrating his friends birthday, taking a leisurely walk in the area together. He is one of the converted and made the swap to the new up-and-coming area. He said: “I would probably come here over the Northern Quarter now. It just has a different vibe to it. We come here pretty often now and we love it here.
Owen and friend were out enjoying the sun in the area
“I’ve definitely noticed it coming on over the past few months, feels like it’s getting more hype which is so deserved. A lot more people are coming to try out the area and come for a drink here.”
The desire for more options in the city is something highlighted time and time again. Most people compare the area to Spinningfields or the Northern Quarter, but are crying out for a bit of variety.
Rachael Clark and her dog Juni are no strangers to this part of the city centre. She has lived here for 10 years and has really noticed the changes in the area and especially its growth over the past few months.
“In London there are just so many options, you know? It’s so nice that we have that same level of choice here,” she said. “It feels like a more grown up Northern Quarter, I love coming here because I live so close and it’s all really starting to come together.”
Rachael and her dog Juni
Rachael has noticed the increasing popularity amongst those who were coming for post work drinks or a meal. The variety of bars in the area providing a real draw for those who were looking for something a bit different, which she said overall added to the vibe of the area.
There are also some more recent occupants who, even over recent months, have noticed a change in the area. Paulina moved to the area in January and was out with her 10-month-old dog Penny.
Paulina said: “I’ve not been here long but you really notice the difference. I would say it’s more of a neighbourhood now, a lot of people who are out here live here which is nice. It’s a lot busier which is so good to see.”
Paulina and her dog Penny moved here in January
The theme of the area as a neighbourhood is also one that is becoming clearer with time. Construction on the area has been fairly consistent over the past few years, with much of the £1bn development continuing.
It’s something not only those who live here have noticed, but businesses too. Jamie Scahill, co-founder of Trading Route, noted that over the past six months especially the area is really taking shape.
“Now all the diggers have gone and the fences have come down, it’s starting to feel a lot more like a neighbourhood, it’s a nice sense of community. It’s obviously hard to have that when there’s so much work going on, but you can really feel it now,” he said, sitting inside the bar, where the outdoor space is packed with customers.
“We’ve had regulars for a while, people who work and live around here, but now we’re attracting different crowds.”
But there’s no signs of slowing down in the area, the ambitions are still big. Co-founder, Will Evans, beamed: “There’s more plans to develop the area and we have so many big events here, it’s really going to be great.
Will Evans, co-founder of Trading Route
“We’d of course love to take more people from Spinningfields, we want to see it grow!”
Trading Route opened late 2024, joining an array of top-name arrivals, buzzing start-ups, and out-there concepts. The venue on Goods Yard Street pays more than a slight nod to some of Europe’s finest beer halls.
It’s businesses like Trading Route, which for some people, are a big part of the appeal in the area over somewhere like Spinningfields. Josh Kelly, 27, was out with Ellie Davies, 20, who is a student at Manchester Metropolitan University enjoying the beautiful sunshine and taking Nyla the dog for a walk around one of their new favourite spots. Josh works in the area and is drawn to St John’s by the independents.
Ellie and Josh with dog Nyla
“I think it’s taking away from people who might go to Spinningfields because it just feels fresher, the independents are a big part of what’s helping it grow.”
It’s not just the main-stay businesses who are helping to draw attention to the area though. Ross, Keith and Kyle all work in the area and regularly spend their lunch times out in the court area.
“You always see people enjoying a drink down here, especially when it’s a sunny day like this,” Ross told us.
Ross , Kyle and Keith who have worked in the area for a number of years
“We’ve been here for years now and it just keeps getting busier, I think a lot of people are drawn here especially now with Campfield Market opening here. It’s really popular.”
The new market takes place every Saturday as it recently expanded its weekly offering and is the UK’s largest weekly artisan market. The draw of the markets was all part of the original plans, with them playing a key role in getting people down to the area from Deansgate.
The market is a part of the vision of St John’s that seems to keep delivering, with the area continuing to grow month on month it is slowly becoming a new staple part of the city centre.