AN EXCITING new artisan foodhall could transform Sale into foodie heaven when it opens its doors at Waterside Plaza later this year.

Inspired by the success of Altrincham Market, investors are planning a £100,000 refurbishment of the former Vao premises on Waterside Plaza, which will be home to six independent stalls selling wood-fired pizza, Thai food, Jerk chicken and vegan dishes.

The Waterside Plaza project is the vision of local businessmen John Warburton and Dominic Kent, who revealed their ambitious plans to create a foodie paradise that will bring families and friends together by serving an eclectic range of food under one roof.

The venue will be open from morning till late and feature an artisan coffee bar, as well as a micropub serving wine and craft beers.

The interior of the venue will be designed by Justin Parkinson, the man behind Didsbury's Wine and Wallop, and will boast a similarly stylish and eclectic decor.

Mr Warburton and Mr Kent are confident the foodhall will bring something different to Sale's food scene.

Mr Warburton said: “Waterside plaza is a fantastic destination space and we want to open it up into something unique and inspiring for families and the people who live here.

“Five years ago, this area was a no-go for families of an evening. But today we have a thriving Bridgewater Quarter, thanks to the arrival of great businesses such as Mustard and Cork of the North, reinventing the vibe around the area.”

Mr Kent added: “This is about giving Sale what it deserves. We want a hub for fantastic food and drink in the centre of our great town.

“We want this to be a place to sit and enjoy this great food, in these great surroundings by the Waterside Arts Centre and the Bridgewater Canal.”

The pair said the venture will operate as a community project and will include a pop-up kitchen where young chefs will be given the opportunity to ply their trade. Guest traders will also be able to use the pop-up kitchen pods and this will keep the venue fresh and interesting with new foods on offer all the time."

Mr Kent said: "The pop-up kitchen is part of our vision to give something back to the community by providing a platform for young chefs to gain experience, make a name for themselves and get their business off the ground.

"We want this place to be as inclusive as possible by offering something for everyone. We want the community to come together and share this space, and benefit from its success.

"That is why we are crowdfunding the project. Our idea is that by crowdfunding, we can create a space which will be owned by the people of Sale, and will feature permanent stalls and pop-ups from some of the fantastic food businesses we have in Sale."

The pair are in talks with the property leaseholders Engie and hope to open the Waterside foodhall in Autumn.