Forbes Solicitors secures Manchester lease for Pastan

Forbes Solicitors has helped vegan pasta restaurant Pastan to open in Manchester, following the success of its London eatery.

The law firm secured a long-term lease for the plant-based restaurant in the heart of city’s popular Royal Exchange. Located at 18 Cross Street, Pastan features an open kitchen and capacity for 26 covers and will serve up a variety of homemade pasta dishes and delicacies that have proved a hit at its Barbican restaurant in London. 

Founded by Dean Fawcett and Jerome Ibanez-Fawcett, who have worked in hospitality for more than 20 years, the Manchester restaurant has created five new jobs and forms part of national expansion plans. Pastan is also targeting new openings in Bristol and Brighton in the coming months. 

Jerome Ibanez-Fawcett said: “Manchester is the perfect location for our second restaurant. It is home to a thriving community of vegans, flexitarians and foodies who appreciate great taste and quality ingredients. There’s also a strong passion for more sustainable dining-out experiences – a passion we share through our partnership with Carbon Free Dining. 

“Our new restaurant is in an ideal location to meet demand from a rich mix of lunch and dinner guests, and we appreciate Forbes Solicitors’ support in securing such a prime spot.”

Retail and leisure property agents Hynes Illingworth worked alongside Forbes, with the restaurant opening on 11th November 2022. 

Helen Marsh, a partner in the commercial property team at Forbes Solicitors, added: “Pastan has gone from strength-to-strength, following early success as a series of pop-ups, and then establishing a busy restaurant in the Barbican. It’s been a privilege to be part of the next stage in their growth journey and always exciting to see innovative new restaurants opening in a real foodie-loving city such as Manchester.”