Premier Hospitality

Pier Eight

Pier Eight
Written by Roma Publications

Pier Eight

Pier Eight

A new restaurant opened its doors to theatre goers and visitors of The Lowry Theatre.

Pier Eight launched in November 2015 as part of a £3 million extension project at The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays. The extension created an extra 370sqm of dining and event space.

The new restaurant and bar provides a unique and dynamic destination for both residents of Salford Quays and pre-theatre diners, as well those looking for a relaxed dining experience in the city.

Pier Eight seats a total number of 300 covers, serving two modern British menus including a casual dining bar menu and formal menu within the restaurant.

The interior, by Koncept I.D, takes influence from northern European design, with a calming colour palette and range of delicate textures and design details.

Seating styles vary from contemporary armchairs, to intimate booths and longer tables for larger groups, emulating the relaxed and welcoming environment created by the expansion. Incorporating two shipping containers, providing views over the Manchester Ship Canal, the complete extension includes a terrace area, event space with a second private terrace, as well as the Pier Eight restaurant and bar with extended kitchen. The kitchen will also feature a chef’s table, seating up to eight guests for a captivating dining experience.

A zinc topped curving bar top leads visitors in to a 150 seat bar and casual dining area, complete with a feature tree made to commemorate the history of the area. The tree’s leaves are made from swatches of cotton, symbolising Salford Quays’ history at the centre of the cotton shipping industry. Seven luxurious private booths in shades of blue and mustard separate the bar from the 150 covers restaurant with a newly designed open kitchen.
A second large room at the rear of the restaurant can be opened up to accommodate 100 more diners, as well as being used for private events.
Major structural changes have taken place in the building to accommodate the design, including the removal of a large staircase and the addition of an external entrance to the bar and restaurant to the left of the main building entrance.

The Lowry’s executive head chef, Oliver Thomas, has devised the new menus for Pier Eight.
He commented:
“My ethos on cooking has always been about sourcing the best local and seasonal ingredients from the great suppliers on our doorstep across Lancashire and Cheshire. The menu will focus on simple dishes and flavour pairings, using ingredients and produce that will shine in their own right.”
Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, added:
“We’re absolutely delighted with the outcome of this project, the new extension has created a range of beautiful and elegant areas for socialising and corporate entertaining that will offer more to the community here in Salford Quays, as well as becoming a destination location in their own right.”
The redevelopment and extension project took one year, and Pier Eight welcomed its first load of covers on 27th November 2015. The event space has a capacity of 100 and is available for both corporate and private hire.

About the author

Roma Publications