Lancashire’s top hospitality operators revealed in new power list as Michelin-star restaurant wins award
A Lancashire business group that could reopen Guy’s Thatched Hamlet features in this year’s top 50 list.
A Michelin-starred restaurant in Lancashire has received a Special Achievement Award for its ‘outstanding’ contribution to the hospitality industry.
The eatery was given the award as part of The Kuits NRB Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2026, which was unveiled today (March 10) at the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester.
The prestigious list celebrates the top-performing and ‘most influential’ hospitality operators across the North who have achieved exceptional commercial success and critical acclaim over the past year. The top fifty names are selected by an expert judging panel.
Three Special Achievement Awards were presented to Nell's Pizza in Manchester, Cheshire Cat Pub & Bars and Aughton’s Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms.
Led by Chef-Patron Mark Birchall, Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms continues to be one of the UK’s most renowned dining destinations and has earned an incredible three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green star.
The venue on Prescot Road draws visitors from around the world and also has five AA Rosettes.
Moor Hall isn’t the only local venue recognised on the 2026 list, with Ribble Valley-based Bowland Inns & Hotels, Langho’s award-winning Northcote and Barrowford’s Seafood Pub Company also featuring among the top 50 hospitality operators.
Bowland Inns & Hotels, which operates under the James’ Places brand, runs a number of award-winning venues across Lancashire. Last month, the business entered into an exclusivity agreement with a view to purchasing the assets of the recently closed Guy’s Thatched Hamlet, subject to contract.
Seafood Pub Company owns a family of pubs in Lancashire and Yorkshire, including in Pendle and Bowland.
The Kuits NRB Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2026
- Apartment Group
- Arc Inspirations
- Archies
- Bowland Inns & Hotels
- Bundobust
- Camerons Brewery
- Caspatron Ltd (New Entry)
- Cheshire Cat Pub & Bars (Special Achievement Award)
- Common & Co (Special Achievement Award)
- Cut & Craft, Lucia Restaurants (New Entry)
- Daniel Schofield, Joe Schofield & James Brandwood
- Daniel Thwaites
- Destination Dining Ltd (New Entry)
- Elite Bistros
- Fat Hippo
- Frederic Robinson
- Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
- Grantley Hall
- GSG Hospitality
- House of Tides/Solstice by Kenny Atkinson
- JW Lees
- Madre, Belzan, Medlock Canteen, Salon Madre
- Mission Mars
- Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms (Special Achievement Award)
- Mother Mercy
- Mowgli Street Food
- New World Trading Company
- Northcote
- NQ64
- Orenda Hospitality
- Ossett Brewery Pub Company
- Pivovar Ltd
- Professionals At Play & Concept Taverns
- QVO Hospitality
- Rockingham Group, Kelham Island Brewery & Leah's Yard
- San Carlo Group
- Seafood Pub Company
- Seven Bro7hers
- Shiko Group (New Entry)
- Southern Wind Group
- Stow, Trof
- Sukho Group (New Entry)
- The Alchemist
- The Inn Collection Group
- The Tommy Banks Group
- Tokyo Industries
- Tomahawk Steakhouse
- Umbel Restaurant Group
- Vaulkhard Group
- Zanna Group
Chris Brazier, Group Event Director for NRB26, said: "We are incredibly proud to unveil this year's Kuits NRB Top 50 Power List, celebrating the very best in northern hospitality. The ambition, creativity and sheer determination we see from operators across the region is extraordinary.”
“This list exists to shine a light on that, and we couldn't be more proud to celebrate the businesses and individuals who have made the North such an exciting place to eat, drink and visit over the past year."