StreetSmart, the fundraising initiative which sees restaurants across Greater Manchester come together to support local homeless charities, has returned this November. The initiative will also once again allow diners to give back while dining at some of the top restaurants in the region.
While 26 restaurants in and around Greater Manchester are already taking part, StreetSmart is urging more venues to join and help them beat last year’s total, as well as provide a much-needed boost of funding to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
How StreetSmart works
The StreetSmart scheme works by participating restaurants adding £1 to every bill they deliver over November and December. Through this simple act of adding the voluntary £1 to diners’ bills during the festive period, Greater Manchester restaurants will make a big difference to local charitable projects that support those facing homelessness, living on the streets and in unsuitable accommodation.
All the money raised by the campaign then goes directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid. The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, which funds Independent Living Advisors for young people, and Real Change Manchester, who plug into the existing homelessness charities to provide that extra boost of funding.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need”
Glenn Pougnet, Director of StreetSmart, said: “The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community. StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need – giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
“Every £1 added to a bill adds up and makes a huge difference. There’s still time to sign up too so if you would like to get involved please get in touch.”
The full list of restaurants in and around Greater Manchester signed up to StreetSmart 2025 so far:
- Climat, Manchester City Centre
- Tampopo: Albert Square, Manchester City Centre
- Tampopo: Corn Exchange, Manchester City Centre
- Stretford Canteen, Stretford
- Banyan, Corn Exchange
- Banyan, Spinningfields
- Manahatta, Deansgate
- Tartuffe (Side Street), Manchester City Centre
- Tender, Stock Exchange Hotel, Manchester City Centre
- Lina Stores, Manchester City Centre
- Bottega by San Carlo at Selfridges, Exchange Square
- Frog and Bucket, Manchester City Centre
- Ezra & Gil, Hilton Street, Manchester City Centre
- Ezra & Gil, Peter Street, Manchester City Centre
- El Capilla, Heaton Moor, Stockport
- Mana, Ancoats, Manchester City Centre
- Fredericks, Todmorden
- Bar Posie, Manchester City Centre
- 10 Tib Lane, Manchester City Centre
- Erst, Manchester City Centre
- Podium, Manchester City Centre
- Orme, Urmston
- Blue Eyed Panda, Manchester City Centre
- The Eagle & Child, Ramsbottom
- The Holcombe Tap, Ramsbottom
- The Swan & Cemetery, Bury
“We don’t deal in fear and alienation in Manchester; we step up and help out.”
This year, the campaign has drawn support from acclaimed musician and lead singer of Elbow, Guy Garvey, who said: “Every single one of us is a direct descendant of a desperate, homeless, hungry person. We don’t deal in fear and alienation in Manchester; we step up and help out.”
StreetSmart has raised over £10.3 million since its foundation in 1998, and more than 50 homelessness charities now benefit each year, with funds supporting services such as the creation of beds, housing, mental health advice & job support.