Merseyside food producers nominated for top awards

by Jade Wright, Liverpool Echo - 10/06/2010

"A LIVERPOOL restaurant group, a Wirral tea specialist, an Aintree biscuit maker and a ready meal producer from Warrington are short-listed for this year’s Food Northwest Awards."

The Food Northwest Awards celebrate the successes of businesses across Merseyside, Cumbria, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Lancashire. They are in their fifth year, acknowledging companies from all areas of the industry, from farm to fork, including food retail and service, wholesale, distribution, food processing and agriculture.

The 60 Hope Street Group has been nominated for Outstanding SME of the Year at the Awards.

The business is enjoying real success, expanding its presence with the opening of The Quarter Deli earlier this year, creating eight new local jobs and taking its annual turnover to £3.2 million.

Gary Manning, co-owner of The 60 Group says: “We are thrilled with our nomination as Outstanding SME at the Food Northwest Awards and the recognition we have received from such a prestigious industry body.

“My brother Colin and I have been working to build up The 60 Hope Group since the opening of our first restaurant, 60 Hope Street, more than 11 years ago. With the additions of HOST, The Quarter and, most recently, The Quarter Deli we have built up a family of unique venues.”

The 60 Group currently employs 127 people.

Gary continues: “We are a family-owned and family run business and its diversity is what gives it its strength. We know the area really well and each of our restaurants add a different dynamic to the business. Job creation has been extremely important due to the economic climate and the launch of The Quarter Kitchen created eight new positions locally at the beginning of this year.”