The trade show for cafés, coffee shops, and food-to-go businesses in the North reveals headline speakers
The lunch! NORTH trade show, sponsored by Uber Eats and dedicated to northern café, coffee shop, and food-to-go sectors, has revealed the first names in its speaker line-up for its second show at Manchester Central on 10th-11th March, including leaders from industry giants such as GAIL’s, itsu and Bold Street Coffee.
Organised by the team behind Northern Restaurant & Bar, lunch! NORTH returns following a highly successful first year, which saw over 12,000 visitors attend the co-located NRB and lunch! NORTH show at Manchester Central. The second edition builds on that momentum, bringing together industry-leading voices and high-quality operators to explore the key opportunities and challenges shaping the café, coffee and food-to-go markets across the North.
Among the first confirmed speakers is Nick Ayerst, Managing Director of GAIL’s, who will take part in a keynote interview on the second day of the show. Ayerst will discuss the brand’s continued expansion and growth strategy, with GAIL’s set to open up to 40 new sites in 2026 following his appointment as Managing Director in 2025. The bakery brand is B Corp certified and widely recognised for its commitment to craft baking, sustainability and responsible growth.
The Coffee Shop Leaders Panel will feature Matt Farrell, Co-Founder of Bold Street Coffee, the Liverpool-founded speciality coffee brand which now operates six sites across Liverpool, Manchester and Derbyshire. With recent expansion into Duke Street Market and plans to open a further four locations next year, Bold Street Coffee is celebrated for its northern hospitality, sustainability ethos and award-winning coffee, including a Good Food Award in 2023.
The Marketing Leaders Panel will include Annabel Mackie, Marketing Director at itsu, who will share insight into how food-to-go brands can cut through in 2026 and beyond. itsu operates more than 70 restaurants across the UK and continues to expand into new formats and locations beyond the traditional high street, as part of its wider growth and diversification strategy.
Katie Tyler, Event Director for lunch! NORTH, said: “We’re delighted to be announcing the first speakers for our second lunch! NORTH show. Their experience and insight reflect the strength and diversity of the northern café, coffee shop and food-to-go market. This event provides an excellent opportunity for operators to come together, share ideas and explore the future of the industry.”
Taking place at the same time and venue as Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) but in a dedicated space, lunch! NORTH has quickly established itself as a key date in the calendar for café, coffee shop and food-to-go operators across the region.
The lunch! NORTH and NRB trade shows are scheduled for March 10th-11th at Manchester Central. Free tickets for trade professionals working in hospitality are available here.
