Our comprehensive guide to exhibiting at lunch! NORTH 2025
Make the most out of your exhibition stand at lunch! NORTH 2025
11-12 March 2025, Manchester Central Convention Complex, Manchester
After the success of the award-winning London trade show, lunch! is coming to the North for the first time in 2025.
Taking place at Manchester Central in 2025, lunch! NORTH promises to celebrate Northern cafes, coffee shops, and food-to-go suppliers.
Read on to get a taste of what you can expect from this fantastic event.
Need a price for your lunch! NORTH
2025 exhibition stand?
Get prepared for the first-ever lunch! NORTH
The lunch! events have been taking place in London for the last 16 years, with overwhelming success. So, it’s wonderful to see the Northern version launched, giving the region’s café, coffee shop and food-to-go sector a chance to show everything it has to offer.
The exhibition will run alongside the well-established Northern Restaurant & Bar event, so Manchester Central will be full to the brim with buyers – from independent cafes to contract caterers, wholesalers, and supermarkets – with purchasing power, all actively looking for suppliers.
While it’s always difficult to know exactly what to expect from an inaugural event, lunch! SOUTH 2024 welcomed over 8,000 visitors, with senior decision-makers from organisations including Azzurri Group, Caffè Nero, Compass Group, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, Marks & Spencer, and Sainsbury’s in attendance.
So if lunch! SOUTH 2024 is a sign of things to come, then we can’t wait for lunch! NORTH 2025!
Don’t miss your chance to be at the first-ever lunch! NORTH!.
First, you need to decide what you want to achieve at lunch! NORTH and weigh this up against the cost of exhibiting. While Manchester Central is typically cheaper to exhibit at than many other venues, floorplan rates for the event start at £479 per m² for a shell scheme, and £416 per m² for a space-only stand, so you need to be sure that you’re going to see some return on investment (however you measure that!).
Next on the consideration list is the budget. You need to budget for the stand space (i.e. the floor space, and the actual exhibition stand itself (i.e. what you’re going to have on show). Don’t burn your whole event budget on a massive space only to end up with no money to fill it! It’s all about finding the right balance between booth size and creating the vibe you want. Think about the look, feel, and impression you want to leave on your ideal customers.
Think about how you’re going to showcase your food and drink products. If you plan on having any cooking demos or working kitchens on your stand, that must be carefully managed. Working with experienced exhibition stand builders is essential for this, as they can manage the logistics, health & safety and event paperwork.
Then it’s time to ask, “Who do we actually want to connect with at this show?”. Figure out who you want to talk to and roughly how many people you want to engage with. Is the goal to walk away with 50 solid leads to follow up with later, or are you focused on having in-depth conversations with 10 key decision-makers ready to shake hands and buy right there on the show floor? Whatever your aim, set a target that feels doable. You might not hit it, but without a goal, you’ll have no clue if the event was worth it!
Finally, you need to put together a clear exhibition brief. This is crucial if you’re working with a stand-building partner like us, but you’ll still need one even if you’re handling everything in-house.
We’ve helped plenty of small and medium brands, niche specialists, and big names who’ve all felt that same “Where-on-earth-do-I-start?” overwhelm. And that’s why we made our guide on writing a perfect exhibition stand brief – it’s been a lifesaver for so many of our customers.
Get lunch! NORTH off to the best possible start by writing a perfect stand brief.
We know from lunch! SOUTH, which has taken place at ExCeL London for many years, that this is an event where exhibitors pull out all the stops in their designs, get creative in small spaces, and draw the crowds in with fun games and delicious demos.
“Our advice is not to scrimp on your stand planning: if you want to show off your food products properly – which is best done with live demos – make sure you’ve all the power and water resources necessary to make your creative vision a reality. We take on that responsibility for our clients, and it’s one of the things they really appreciate during these food and drinks exhibitions”
Edward Marshall, Motive Exhibitions Creative Director
We’re making quite a name for ourselves for designing and building innovative and immersive exhibition stands for food and drink companies.
Whether you need a fully working kitchen or a row of ice-cold display cabinets, we’re a dab hand at ensuring your products stay their absolute best throughout the show.
But just because we’ve built loads of stands for companies and brands like yours, that doesn’t mean your space won’t be unique.
Every exhibition stand we build is designed specifically to catch the eye of your future customers.
We’ll work with you to craft something inspiring and unique, creating an immersive experience that’ll have your visitors coming back for more.
Make your lunch! NORTH goals a reality with a Motive Exhibitions stand.
Exhibition stands we can build at lunch! NORTH 2025
The iconic Manchester Central makes the perfect backdrop for any exhibition stand.
If you’re struggling to decide what type of stand to choose, here are our thoughts.
Bespoke exhibition stands – or ‘custom’ exhibition stands – are designed specifically for your event and built around your brand’s unique goals and needs.
A bespoke option offers that all-important creative flexibility at a bustling event like lunch! where you may need space to store, cook, display and demonstrate your product.
Holding a lot of kit on a stand, whilst keeping the design looking sleek and spacious takes a unique set of problem-solving skills (which we have in abundance!).
Modular exhibition stands are a fantastic choice if you’re looking for something adaptable and budget-friendly. These stands are made from separate components that connect smoothly to create a cohesive display, giving you tons of flexibility without skimping on style.
These cost-effective options are a winner at an event like lunch! NORTH, where you may decide to increase your exhibition space due to Manchester Central being a more cost-effective venue than some.
Shell scheme exhibition stands are typically smaller setups and are highly affordable.
While these spaces are compact, don’t underestimate the potential – a shell scheme can be as creative, innovative and immersive as you need it to be.
If this is your first time dipping your toe into exhibiting, or you want to see how the lunch! NORTH location works for you, this could be a great option.
Exhibition stand hire
If your event schedule is still up in the air for 2025 and you’re not ready to invest in a stand just yet, our exhibition hire service is a great solution.
Some clients go all out and rent the entire stand, while others just rent smaller pieces like furniture. You can even mix things up with a hybrid setup, blending custom-made elements with borrowed items for a unique look.
Hiring is an affordable, sustainable option and definitely worth considering – especially if this is your first major show.
Everything you need to know about exhibiting at Manchester Central
We’ve built and dismantled stands for dozens of businesses that have exhibited at Manchester Central – and we must admit, it’s one of our favourite locations.
Generally, it’s a very cost-effective venue as amenities are much cheaper. This means you’ll be able to do a lot more with your budget than in London. Things that might be out of budget for expensive shows in the south may well be achievable here.
In our opinion, Manchester Central is a real gem. Originally a station, it still showcases its iconic station clock and stunning vaulted arches, which have been a much-loved part of Manchester’s skyline for over 140 years.
But just because it’s a historic building doesn’t mean it’s lacking as a modern exhibition venue – the interior is contemporary, vibrant, and clean, with all the amenities you could need.
Being right in the heart of Manchester means easy access to transport, hotels, and entertainment, with everything you could need just minutes away. Plus, the staff are efficient, friendly, and super organised, making it a breeze for exhibitors, visitors, and contractors to get in and out.
Pros of exhibiting at the Manchester Central:
- You’ve got tons of flexible space to play with, both in terms of width and height, so go ahead and get creative.
- It has great transport links.
- You’ll find thousands of hotel rooms just a short stroll away.
- The on-site concierge team can help you with restaurant reservations, local tours, and even flight confirmations.
- The on-site logistics support covers everything: catering, rigging, AV equipment, maintenance – you name it, they’ll do it.
- The venue recently upgraded its Wi-Fi and internet, so you’ll have fast, reliable connections whether you’re a guest, delegate, or exhibitor.
- There are plenty of on-site options for food and drinks, with restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and bars.
- The management team is committed to sustainability in exhibitions and events.
- They’ve nailed the foot-traffic flow to get contractors in and out smoothly.
- The main hall isn’t massive, which means less walking – great news if you’re hauling heavy bags!
With Manchester Central being such a state-of-the-art venue, there aren’t many downsides, though there are a few things about the location to consider before you book.
Cons of exhibiting at the Manchester Central:
- Booking space here is an cost-effective alternative to London and Birmingham.
- Food and drink on-site are on the expensive side, but there are plenty of good alternatives nearby.
- It’s smaller than some venues in London or Birmingham, so you must book early to secure your spot.
- Space for stand builders is tight, with small, highly sought-after loading bays.
- The closest car park is an NCP under the venue, which can be costly and gets mixed reviews.
- If you don’t grab a parking spot in the service area on breakdown day, you’ll need to carry your stand to the open-air car park, a 10-minute walk away.
- The overflow car park gets full quickly, and the “back up” car park is quit a trek. Don’t be late!
- Access isn’t the easiest by car: there are a lot of one-way streets in this part of the world. The traffic team is super friendly, though, and will help if you get stuck (or lost!).
I highly recommend Motive Exhibitions. We worked with them to exhibit at The International Food Event 2024 earlier this year, the TUCO Summer Conference in July and Lunch! 2024. They also assist us at smaller shows, where our resources are such that I need external support.
“They are adaptable, innovative, very helpful and really understand the demands of food exhibitions, especially those where we cook and sample on the stand.
“The design nous is exceptional as well.”
Tim White, Scrocchiarella
Clients we work with
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FAQs
Do you have any other clients exhibiting at lunch! NORTH 2025?
Yes! We are very experienced in food and drink shows, so we’ll have many stands at this show too.
We’ve had multiple clients exhibit at lunch! at London ExCel for several years, and many of them have already signed up for lunch! NORTH based on the success of the London show. Others have already booked space at the Northern Restaurants and Bar show which is taking place at Manchester Central at the same time.
But don’t think that means you won’t get excellent service: all of our clients get the same level of project management and logistical support whether we’ve worked with them before or are brand new.
Can I have a fully functioning kitchen on my stand at lunch! NORTH 2025?
Absolutely. We’ve nailed the art of creating fully functioning kitchens, with sinks and running water alongside freezers, displays, and cooking and demo areas. We’ve got great contacts for kitchen equipment.
But don’t just take our word for it; you can read case studies from our work with Destiny Foods, Scrocchiarella, Joe & Sephs, Synergy Grill and Nextera.
How much do exhibition stands cost?
Several factors will influence the cost of your exhibition stand:
- The size of the space you’ve booked.
- Whether you anticipate your event to be a one-off exhibition or whether you need an exhibition stand you can reuse and reconfigure multiple times.
- What you want to achieve from exhibiting.
- Whether you’re hiring or buying.
We’ll collaborate with you to create a design which works within your budget.
Should I just hire a stand?
This completely depends on what you’re hoping to achieve. Common reasons people hire their stand include:
- They don’t have anywhere to store their own stand.
- They’re looking at experimenting with new ideas and concepts.
- They’ve never exhibited and are keen to try it out.
- They don’t exhibit regularly enough to warrant the outlay of owning their own stand.
- Different teams within a company exhibit regularly and need to change the stand graphics frequently.
Our rule of thumb is that if you exhibit more than 3 times a year, it’s more cost-effective to own your stand.
If we work with you, can you take our supplies to Manchester Central?
Yes! We know that carrying brochures, iPads, and products can be a hassle – especially if you’re using public transport.
If you choose to work with us, we’ll handle all your supplies for the exhibition hall. Just drop everything off a few days in advance, and we’ll transport it with your stand, so you only need to bring your suitcase!
Is Manchester Central accessible for disabled visitors?
Yes, Manchester Central is fully accessible for all events, including wheelchair users, with two step-free train platforms. They also have Induction Loop facilities, and a Deaf Alerter® fire warning system installed throughout the building.
Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
