A new restaurant is opening in a former hardware store in Manchester. That’s right: some positive, independent restaurant news!

The Mediterranean concept is set to launch in the middle of next month and will feature a menu of small plates inspired by the cuisine of Spain’s Balearic islands, as well as Portugal, Italy, and coastal North Africa.

Paloma will also serve bottled cocktails and a “carefully curated wine list”, according to the Manchester Evening News, while dishes will be priced between £4.50 and £9.50.

Owner Andy Pope, himself a Prestwich local, has hired a dedicated pastry chef to prepare daily batches of pasteis de nata as well as ensaïmada, a traditional pastry from Majorca, the local newspaper explained.

Paloma will also be serving huge paellas on Sundays, and huevos rancheros for breakfast.

Pope said he was initially intending to move to Majorca, but bailed on the decision after the outbreak of Covid-19. Instead, he’s focusing his efforts on his new restaurant.

He said: “I have always wanted to have a place in Prestwich, because it’s where I’m from and I love it here, but I never found the right site.

“When I saw this come up I thought about doing a pop-up, but I’ve just gone for it now. It’s exciting!”