Hispi Didsbury Exit: Usher Departs, Arcadian Arrives Soon 2026

Key Points

• Open Restaurant Group, led by Sam Morgan and chef Andrew Sheridan, has acquired Hispi from Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros.
• Hispi’s final service under Elite Bistros will take place on Sunday, 9 August 2026, before closing for refurbishment.
• The restaurant will relaunch as Arcadian on Friday, 28 August 2026, with a new menu focused on live-fire cooking.
• All existing Hispi staff will be retained by Open Restaurant Group, ensuring no job losses during the transition.
• Gary Usher expressed gratitude to the team and customers after ten years, calling Hispi a “special place” and praising the new custodians.
• The acquisition marks Usher’s full retreat from Manchester following the closure of Kala in June 2025.
• Open Restaurant Group operates multiple venues across the North West, including Restaurant 8 in Liverpool and Noted in Cheshire.

Didsbury (Manchester Mirror) August 03, 2026– Hispi, the celebrated neighbourhood bistro, and Open Restaurant Group, August 03, 2026. After a decade under the stewardship of chef Gary Usher, Hispi is entering a new chapter as Open Restaurant Group takes over ownership of the uk/local/didsbury/">Didsbury favourite. The transition marks the end of an era for one of south Manchester’s most consistent dining destinations, while signalling a fresh direction under new custodians committed to preserving its community spirit.

How Did Gary Usher Describe His Time at Hispi?

As reported by staff writers at Restaurant Online, Gary Usher stated:

“My time at Hispi has come to an end. We’ve had an amazing 10 years. We are passing the baton over. You’ve probably seen the amazing restaurateurs Sam Morgan and the chef Andy Sheridan. They are opening some incredible restaurants and we know it’s in good hands.”

Usher, who originally launched Hispi in 2016 following a successful crowdfunding campaign, added:

“I’d like to think we’ve left an incredible legacy here. This has been a special place. I’m grateful to all the team, past and present. Thanks to the original crowd funders, 10 years ago.”

In an Instagram post quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Usher reflected:

“It’s been a wonderful ten years owning Hispi & I believe we created a beautiful neighbourhood local.”

He noted pride in team members who had progressed to work in other establishments or open their own venues.

Usher also expressed gratitude to Manchester diners:

“Manchester, you’ve been brilliant to me. You’ve supported my businesses, my ideas, and my crowdfunding. Although I’m sad to be leaving, I’m delighted to hand Hispi [to] Sam Morgan & Chef Andrew Sheridan of @openrestaurantgroup fame!”

What Are Open Restaurant Group’s Plans for Hispi?

Sam Morgan, chief executive of Open Restaurant Group, said in a statement reported by The Caterer:

“We’d like to pay tribute to Gary and his team. Elite Bistros has been an incredible company that’s fed the people of the north-west over the past decade. We’re looking forward to working with the Hispi team and we’ll be making sure there are no job losses as we pick up the baton.”

Morgan continued:

“We’re delighted to become custodians of a well-respected restaurant and we have an exciting vision for its future.”

Andrew Sheridan, the group’s chef-director, told Restaurant Online:

“Gary’s described Open Restaurant Group as being on a roll and we’re delighted to be opening another restaurant in the North West. The region has a really exciting restaurant scene and we’ll be revamping the venue before we open the doors to the public. It’ll be a new menu and a new challenge but the same good vibes that Hispi has brought to the area for the past 10 years.”

The venue will be rebranded as Arcadian and will specialise in live-fire cooking, according to multiple reports.

When Will Hispi Close and When Will Arcadian Open?

Hispi’s final service under Elite Bistros will take place on Sunday, 9 August 2026, before the restaurant closes for refurbishment.

Arcadian is scheduled to officially open on Friday, 28 August 2026, with further details about the new concept to be announced in due course.

Usher encouraged diners to visit before the handover, stating: “Thank you & please come and see us before we close on Sunday, August 9th.”

What Does This Mean for Hispi Staff and Manchester’s Dining Scene?

Open Restaurant Group has confirmed that all existing Hispi staff will be retained, ensuring zero job losses during the transition.

The acquisition expands Open Restaurant Group’s footprint in the North West, where it already operates Restaurant 8 in Liverpool, Noted in Cheshire, SOW in Worcestershire, and Daise by Tony Parkin in Oxton. The group is also preparing to open Counter, a new Manchester city centre venue on John Dalton Street, in September 2026.

For Usher, the sale represents a full retreat from Manchester following the abrupt closure of Kala on King Street in June 2025. Elite Bistros now retains Sticky Walnut, Wreck, The White Horse, and Usher’s Bakehouse.

What Is the Background of the Hispi Development?

Hispi opened in September 2016 on School Lane, Didsbury, after Gary Usher raised funds through a Kickstarter campaign. The restaurant quickly became known for its relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere, consistent cooking, and unfussy menu featuring dishes such as blade of beef with truffle chips and custard tart. Over the years, Hispi regularly appeared in lists of the UK’s top 100 restaurants while remaining a local favourite for celebrations and casual dining.

The sale to Open Restaurant Group follows a period of consolidation for Elite Bistros. Usher closed Burnt Truffle in Heswall in January 2025 after a ten-year lease ended, citing an inability to make the venue profitable despite paying all bills and staff.

The closure of Kala in June 2025 marked Usher’s exit from Manchester city centre, with the chef attributing the decision to a 50% drop in trade. At the time, he directed customers to Hispi in Didsbury as the remaining Elite Bistros venue in Greater Manchester.

The acquisition by Open Restaurant Group ensures continuity for the School Lane site while introducing a new culinary direction focused on live-fire cooking under the Arcadian brand.

What Are the Predictions for How This Development Will Affect Didsbury Diners and the Local Hospitality Sector?

The transition from Hispi to Arcadian is likely to reinforce Didsbury’s reputation as a destination for independent, chef-led dining while introducing a distinct culinary concept centred on live-fire techniques. For local diners, the retention of all staff suggests continuity in service standards and familiarity, even as the menu evolves.

Open Restaurant Group’s expansion into Didsbury, alongside its planned Counter venue in Manchester city centre, signals confidence in the North West’s hospitality market despite recent closures affecting other operators. The group’s track record with venues such as Restaurant 8 and Noted indicates a commitment to quality and innovation, which could attract both existing Hispi patrons and new customers seeking a different dining experience.

For the wider local hospitality sector, the acquisition demonstrates that well-established neighbourhood restaurants remain attractive assets for growing independent groups. This could encourage further investment in south Manchester’s dining scene, particularly in areas like Didsbury where community-focused venues have proven resilient.

However, the change also marks the end of Gary Usher’s direct involvement in Manchester restaurants, which may be felt by long-time supporters of his crowdfunded ventures. The success of Arcadian will depend on how effectively Open Restaurant Group balances innovation with the neighbourhood identity that made Hispi a decade-long favourite.