- Ancoats favourite continues to expand from original 12-seat restaurant to satisfy demand from hungry, late-night diners
- 70% of commercial units currently under offer
- Central Manchester’s last major regeneration site is close to completion
Manchester, 26 February 2026 – Lucky Ramen, the Ancoats-born ramen, sushi and cocktail restaurant renowned among Manchester’s young professionals for its eccentric cocktails, modern twist on traditional Japanese food and late-night dining, has confirmed it will open its third location at Waterhouse Gardens, the £195m, 556-apartment scheme that’s nearing completion on the site of the former Boddington’s Brewery (next to the AO Arena and Victoria Station).
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, has agreed terms with Lucky Ramen, with the restaurant due to open for its first diners by early summer 2026.
Located within Encore, Waterhouse Garden’s commercial hub, Lucky Ramen will be one of a number of restaurants, bars and shops to benefit from strong daytime trade from local residents and students, as well as evening energy from people travelling into the area for events at the AO Arena or central Manchester’s entertainment district. Encore is situated a stone’s throw from the arena and Victoria Station and a 10 minute walk from the Northern Quarter and Ancoats.
The complex has capacity to accommodate 30,000 sq ft of commercial units. 70% of available units are currently under offers from supermarkets, restaurants, bars, cafes and fitness outfits. Encore is located on a new public avenue that runs through the scheme, fostering a vibrant sense of connection and community.
Lucky Ramen: “Lucky is a homegrown-Manchester brand, with two venues already operating on opposite sides of the city centre. Waterhouse Gardens is an exciting third location for our Manchester diners to enjoy. Salboy’s careful and considered development at Waterhouse Gardens mirrors our own brand ethos. Although the interiors differ slightly across the Lucky Ramen venues, there is a consistent aesthetic that our regular diners will notice. Our food and cocktail offerings remain largely unchanged since the beginning, testament to the quality and care in each item we prepare.”
Simon Ismail, CEO of Salboy, comments: “As the last of central Manchester’s major regeneration areas to undergo complete reimagining and redevelopment, expectations for Waterhouse Gardens have been high. Even while work hasn’t fully completed yet and residents are still unpacking boxes in their new homes, there’s a real sense of the community, energy and self-confidence we always wanted this ambitious scheme for Manchester’s younger generation to project.
“In Lucky Ramen we have found a partner that shares in our vision to make Waterhouse Gardens an energetic, lively space where people not only live, but love to wind down after work and spend time socialising with friends.”
Phase 1 of Waterhouse Garden’s residential scheme completed in Summer 2025 and over 400 residents have already moved in. These residents are the first to enjoy some of the scheme’s extensive leisure and social facilities that are ready for use, including the 2,500 -sqft gym and 9-seat cinema room.
At full completion in Spring 2026, the regenerative scheme will comprise 556 apartments, 30,000 sq ft of commercial space, and further amenities including swimming pools, a squash/basketball court, co-working spaces and private landscaped gardens. Many of the scheme’s commercial tenants are expected to be open on site by summer 2026.
Waterhouse Gardens is the next stop in Lucky Ramen’s ambitious expansion plan. The brand will next open a restaurant opposite St Pauls in London, with the plan to increase to 10 venues in total nationally within the next five years.
