Gary Usher secures site for his third venture, Hispi

Chef Gary Usher has put down a deposit on the Jam and I site in Didsbury, South Manchester for his bistro restaurant, Hispi.

After successfully opening Burnt Truffle through crowdfunding in 2014 Gary decided to crowdfund for his third restaurant, Hispi earlier this year which was originally planned for Chorlton. However, after raising over £58, 000, recruiting staff and setting up a website, the original venue in Chorlton fell through.

On talking to the Staff Canteen Gary said: “We crowdfunded this site and it was successful but it fell through. These things happen, it’s like buying a house, a lot of these things you’re not in control of.”

On hearing the news Gary scoured the area for another site in the same area but after visiting 20 different venues he found the perfect setting in the neighbouring village of Disbury, a mere six minute drive from Chorlton.

Gary said: “I went into panic alert and started making appointments in every single place possible in Chorlton in the same area. I saw probably over 20 restaurant sites including ones that weren’t even on the market but there was nothing suitable so I widened the perimeter and started looking a bit out of Chorlton.

“The next decent place after Chorlton is Didsbury and its six/seven/eight minutes in the car, it’s no distance at all.”

Not realising the hostility between the two villages Gary feared a backlash from his backers and took to his Kickstarter page to keep everyone in the loop and to give thanks to those still supporting him. Despite the odd negative comment Gary was amazed by the encouragement he received which gave him more confidence in the project.

He said: “In all honesty I got about 3% of the people say I wouldn’t have crowdfunded if I had known it was Didsbury. It did get me down and I did start to feel negative about the whole project but the support was unbelievable. I honestly got over 30 emails about it saying what you’re doing is amazing, believe in yourself, we all believe in you and don’t worry about the select few that are saying they are unhappy.

“That gave me a bit more confidence to continue.”

Writing on his Kickstarter page, Gary confirmed the new site for Hispi and thanked them for their support.

It reads: “For those of you who are still on board - thank you so much once again for making Hispi now become a reality. I guess (hope!) the next Kickstarter update will be key day!!”

Hispi is the latest project to be crowdfunded by Gary Usher who last year successfully crowdfunded for Burnt Truffle to open in Heswall. Gary also launched Sticky Walnut back in 2011.

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