For those who regularly frequent the Northern Quarter in Manchester, you’ll have realised that Common has very recently undergone an extreme transformation. For those who have never been to Manchester before, well, you should.

I’m writing this review partly to stick a middle finger up to the numerous bad reviews I’ve read about Common over the past week, and partly to share the very pleasant experience I had whilst there.

We visited Common by accident on a very busy Saturday afternoon, after wandering aimlessly through the Northern Quarter trying to find somewhere suitable to take my mum for a drink and a bite to eat.

Walking past the Edge Street “Social, Eatery & Coffee Spot” as it is now branded, we barely recognised the place. The once tiny bar has been replaced with a more-than-adequate, naturally designed space, and the place feels a lot more open and friendly.

Staff were…