Footballer-turned-entrepreneur Gary Neville (left in picture) has signed chef Niall Keating (right) to open a new restaurant at the Stock Exchange boutique hotel in Manchester that he co-owns with Ryan Giggs.

Called Tender, it will be the third attempt to occupy the impressively domed dining room since the hotel launched in 2019. Its predecessor, the Stock Market Grill, lasted just four months last year after replacing Tom Kerridge’s Bull & Bear.

Niall came to prominence at Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds, having previously worked for Sat Bains in Nottingham and Benu in San Francisco. He opened his own restaurant, Lunar, in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent two-and-a-half years ago.

Tender launches on 5 June and is billed as a family-style brasserie serving comfort cuisine. It will also offer a ‘chef’s dinner’ nine-course tasting menu in the evening, costing £115 per person.

Niall said: “From when I first walked through the doors of the hotel into the dining room, I knew this was the place for me and that we could create something really special.

“I want a space that feels vibrant, warm and energetic, that brings to life the history of the stock exchange roots of the hotel, while providing an upscale and comfortable brasserie dining experience.

“In addition to the main dining room, we will also be opening ‘The Bank’, which is a beautiful private space for up to 12 guests, where we will be providing a truly exceptional dining experience.”

Gary added: “We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with Niall Keating for Tender and bringing his culinary expertise to the hotel. His vision to create versatile and accessible dining options is exactly what we’ve been looking for, to allow everyone visiting Tender to find the right experience.

“We will also shortly be announcing a series of events and live music experiences, including a weekly music plan, within Tender, that will really bring the venue to life, making it the heart of Stock Exchange Hotel.”