Freight Island

Since it first opened in the summer of 2020, Freight Island has successfully transformed itself into one of the UK’s most exciting urban market and entertainment spaces. Amid an exciting venue update earlier this year, Freight Island has reopened its magical doors at Depot Mayfield in Manchester, with 12 new kitchens joining the 55,000-square-foot food hall.

Continuing to champion the independent, the 12 new kitchens at Freight Island 2.3 will see some new food concepts, as well as some of the much-loved and celebrated traders from the North West and beyond coming to Depot Mayfield.

Returning to the city of Manchester via Freight Island 2.3 are the delightful cheesecake on a stick from Oh My Cheesecake, coffee and bakes from Choo Choo, and the long-awaited return of Fry By serving some serious fries with hand-cut selected potatoes alongside its speciality sauces, with an exciting addition of a fried fish menu.

One of the UK’s most exciting urban market and entertainment spaces

Other Manchester gems joining the food hall this April are slab shack from Lazy Tony’s Lasagnaria, award-winning curry in a pie from Patel’s Pies, Payal bringing their tandoors and serving up freshly made Momo and Indian street food, Venezuelan cuisine from Mia’s Arepas, and the luscious Ice Cream Hut when the sun’s shining at Freight Island’s huge beer garden.

New food concepts will see the unveiling of Mega Gyros Mediterranean Street Food, a unique sushi house KOKO, and an updated outdoor BBQ spot The Smoking Coal.

Existing traders staying at Freight Island include the premium smashed burgers sensation Burgerism, giant 22” pizza and slices from Voodoo Ray’s, a selection of cheese, charcuterie and carefully curated small plates from the Forever Changes deli kitchen alongside their over 100 bin natural and low intervention wines. Other bar offerings include The Jane Eyre serving up classic and seasonal cocktails, an extended Tap Room serving 12 craft lines of the best new and favourite craft beers, plus a new darts snug.

The Jane Eyre serves up classic and seasonal cocktails

The redesigned outdoor terrace will also house a new free to use Pétanque pitch. Another addition to the outdoor space is a viewing balcony overlooking the 6.5 acres Mayfield Park which is open for its first summer and has access straight in and out of Freight Island for those wanting to grab something to eat and drink on their visit.

Also happening at Freight Island as part of its new programming, is the monthly pop-up markets. The much-loved independent Rare Finds Flea Market will curate a Late Night Bazar every first Thursday of the month featuring fashion and lifestyle brands, as well as a daytime family market every last Sunday of the month.

Over at the Mezzanine area, Freight Island has transformed a new Gaming and Sports Bar featuring over 20 arcade machines including Guitar Hero, Dance Nation and much more. The new sports bar will host screening of all major tournaments such as the Premier League, World Cup, EURO, Six Nations, Wimbledon, NFL, F1, Eurovision and more. The sports bar boasts one of the city’s largest permanent HD screens.

No need to book. With 1,500 seats available, Freight Island is now walk-up only (aside from large parties of 10 or more). All guests are welcomed to grab any free seats upon arrival and can stay for as long as they like.