Reserve Wines to Open Chorlton Shop at Former Tiny Tipple 2026

Key Points

• Award-winning wine bar and bottle shop Reserve Wines is set to launch its second venue in Chorlton, south Manchester.
• The company will occupy the old site of Tiny Tipple on Wilbraham Road.
• Tiny Tipple has been serving Chorlton for nearly 14 years before its owner, Ed, moves on to Devon.
• Kate, founder of Reserve Wines, broke the news of this development on social media. The company will carry on with the legacy of Tiny Tipple whilst offering its own style.
• While continuing to operate as a bottle shop, Reserve Wines plans to add more facilities to its new Chorlton venue, such as seating space, wines by the glass and food menu.
• Planned dishes to be included in the menu are sharing platters and snacks from local businesses, including nearby Chorlton businesses.
• Events, tastings and collaborations with local businesses and famous brands are on the cards for this new venue.
• Reserve Wines will be opening its Chorlton location in mid-November, provided that renovations of the place are completed.
• Reserve Wines launched its first venue on Burton Road in Didsbury, offering over 400 wines from all over the world.

Chorlton (Manchester Mirror) October 22, 2026 — Reserve Wines is preparing to open a new south Manchester site after taking over the long-standing Tiny Tipple shop on Wilbraham Road. The move will bring the award-winning wine bar and bottle-shop operator into Chorlton, replacing an independent business that has served the neighbourhood for close to 14 years.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Reserve Wines has announced plans to launch the new location after acquiring the space previously occupied by Tiny Tipple. The development was confirmed this week by Kate, the founder of Reserve Wines, in a social media announcement.

Reserve Wines first opened on Burton Road in Didsbury and has since developed a reputation for its broad wine offering. According to the Manchester Evening News, the business stocks more than 400 wines sourced from around the world.

The company received national recognition last year when it was named among the top establishments for wines, spirits and beers in the country. It has also been shortlisted for the Wine of the Year award at this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards, with the winners due to be revealed in January.

Why is Reserve Wines taking over Tiny Tipple?

The takeover follows the decision by Tiny Tipple’s owner, Ed, to move to Devon. Tiny Tipple had been a fixture in Chorlton for almost 14 years, operating from Wilbraham Road as an independent bottle shop selling wine, beer and spirits.

In her announcement, Kate thanked Ed for his contribution to the local area and said Reserve Wines intended to build on what he had created.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Kate stated: “Chorlton, we’re excited to join you. We’ve over Wilbraham Road, to Ed’s Tiny Tipple for the past 14 years. Ed created something truly special here, and we plan to continue that legacy while adding some of our own flair. Thank you, Ed, and enjoy your time in Devon.”

Tiny Tipple’s own website describes the business as an independent bottle shop providing quality wine, beer and spirits. It says it opened in the heart of Chorlton with the intention of helping customers find “the perfect tipple”, and lists its address as 510 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton.

The shop was also previously described by Manchester’s Finest as an independent bottle shop in Chorlton stocking wine, beer, spirits and other drinks.

What will the new Reserve Wines Chorlton offer?

Reserve Wines has said the Chorlton site will continue to operate as a bottle shop, but the offer will expand beyond retail. The business plans to add seating so customers can stay and enjoy a drink, including wines served by the glass.

A small food menu is also planned. According to the Manchester Evening News, this will include sharing boards and snacks sourced from local vendors, with nearby Chorlton businesses among the intended suppliers.

The company has also indicated that it intends to host tasting sessions and events once the shop opens. These are expected to include collaborations with local enterprises and recognised brands, although no specific partners or event dates have yet been announced.

The proposed opening window is mid-November. However, Reserve Wines has said that a precise opening date will be confirmed after renovation work has been completed.

What recognition has Reserve Wines received?

Reserve Wines enters Chorlton with a strong industry profile. Last year, it was recognised by Harpers Wine & Spirit as a “North West Standout”, with the publication describing it as a “Northern powerhouse of the indie world”.

As reported by the Manchester Evening News, Harpers Wine & Spirit also praised the business for its “excellent service, approachable expertise, and the commitment to ensuring a delightful shopping experience with numerous exclusive and unique selections”.

Earlier this month, Reserve Wines was shortlisted for the Wine of the Year award at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. The awards celebrate food and drink businesses across the city-region, and the winners are due to be announced in January.

The business is described by Creative Tourist as an award-winning independent wine merchant with six sites across Manchester and the North West, including three wine bars and an online shop.

What does the move mean for Tiny Tipple customers?

The change marks the end of Tiny Tipple’s tenure at the Wilbraham Road site, but Reserve Wines has positioned its arrival as a continuation rather than a complete break from the shop’s history. Kate’s statement specifically acknowledged Ed’s work and said the new business would aim to continue his legacy.

For customers, the most visible changes are expected to be the addition of seating, wine by the glass and a small food menu. The core bottle-shop format will remain, according to the company’s stated plans.

Tiny Tipple had built its identity around independent retail, with its website describing itself as a provider of quality wine, beer and spirits. Reserve Wines’ arrival will therefore introduce a more hybrid model, combining retail sales with on-site drinking and food.

When will Reserve Wines open in Chorlton?

Reserve Wines has said it is aiming to open the Chorlton shop in mid-November. The business has not yet confirmed an exact date, saying that this will depend on the completion of renovations at the former Tiny Tipple premises.

The announcement was made this week, ahead of the expected opening period. No details have been released about staffing, opening hours, pricing or the full range of products that will be available at the new location.

The company’s existing Didsbury operation remains part of its wider business. Reserve Wines opened on Burton Road in Didsbury before expanding its reputation across Manchester and the wider North West.

Background of the development

Reserve Wines began on Burton Road in Didsbury and has grown into an established independent wine retailer and bar operator. Its range includes more than 400 wines from around the world, and it has developed a profile both as a retail destination and as a place to drink wine on site.

Tiny Tipple opened in Chorlton in 2013, according to Confidentials, which described it as a business started by two former Oddbins workers. The publication said the shop focused on a relaxed approach and a range that included affordable bottles as well as more expensive options.

The former Tiny Tipple site is at 510 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, according to the business’s website. Reserve Wines’ takeover of the unit follows Ed’s decision to leave Manchester and relocate to Devon.

The development comes at a time when Chorlton continues to attract independent food and drink businesses. Local listings describe the area as home to a range of wine shops, bars and specialist retailers, including Cork of the North, Carringtons Wines & Spirits and Tiny’s Tipple.

Prediction: How will this affect Chorlton shoppers and local businesses?

For Chorlton shoppers, the opening is likely to provide another option for buying wine locally, with the added choice of drinking on site. Customers who previously visited Tiny Tipple may find a familiar bottle-shop format, but with expanded seating, by-the-glass service and a small food menu.

For nearby independent food and drink businesses, Reserve Wines’ stated plan to source snacks and sharing-board items from local vendors could create new supply opportunities. The company has also said it intends to collaborate with local enterprises and brands through tastings and events, which may bring additional footfall to the Wilbraham Road area.

For Chorlton’s wider hospitality sector, the arrival of a recognised wine operator could increase competition among local wine shops and bars. At the same time, the planned events programme and collaborations may support the area’s reputation as a destination for independent drinking and dining.

The immediate impact will depend on the final opening date, the scale of the renovation work and how the new menu and events programme develop. Based on the announced plans, the most direct effect is expected to be a shift at the former Tiny Tipple site from a standalone bottle shop to a combined wine retail, bar and food offer.