From Rugby League to Brunch Royalty at Pot Kettle Black in Manchester
Manchester City Centre has long been a playground for pioneers, whether in industry, music or sport. Today, two former rugby-league stars—Mark Flanagan and John (Jon) Wilkin—are rewriting the rules of the city’s coffee scene, turning Pot Kettle Black (PKB) into a must-visit destination that now tops search results for “Mark and John Manchester”. Their journey from the pitch to Barton Arcade has become a local legend—and the perfect story to fuel your next flat white.
Why Manchester Loves Mark & John
Manchester’s urban core is a tapestry of distinctive districts—each with its own energy:
- Northern Quarter – a creative hub of indie record shops and street art.
- Ancoats – former cotton mills reborn as loft apartments and Michelin-guided pizzerias.
- Spinningfields – gleaming towers, couture retail and after-work cocktails.
- Castlefield – tranquil canals meet Roman ruins.
- Deansgate – home to Barton Arcade, the Grade II-listed glass atrium PKB first called home.
The city’s official tourism board hails Manchester as “a walkable capital of culture, sport and innovation” —an ethos that dovetails perfectly with Mark and John’s Antipodean-inspired approach to brunch.
See more about Manchester on https://potkettleblackltd.co.uk/visiting-manchester-a-little-bit-about-the-city-centre/
Meet the Founders: From Scrums to Specialty Coffee
Mark Flanagan—Oldham-born forward who lifted the 2014 Super League trophy with St Helens before hanging up his boots to pursue espresso.
Jon Wilkin—Hull native, England & Great Britain international, now Sky Sports pundit and serial entrepreneur.
Bonded by post-match café crawls in Sydney, the pair sketched a business plan during an injury lay-off and convinced a brave landlord to let “two lads from St Helens” open a coffee bar inside Barton Arcade in 2014. What began as speciality brews and brownies soon grew into all-day brunch, a city-wide bakery (Half Dozen Other) and three further PKB sites—including Angel Gardens and Manchester Airport T2.
15 Reasons People Google “Mark and John Manchester” for Breakfast
- Meet the Makers – Mark or John still pop in to pull shots and chat sport.
- Iconic Barton Arcade Setting – sip under Victorian-era ironwork and glass.
- Antipodean-Style Coffee – flat whites perfected after seasons Down Under.
- Award-Winning Brunch Menu – think Nduja baked eggs & blueberry French toast.
- Half Dozen Other Bakery – slow-fermented sourdough & cruffins baked daily.
- Locally Sourced Produce – free-range eggs from Lancashire, artisan cheese from Cheshire.
- Vegan & GF Choice – from tofu scramble to almond-flour brownies.
- Community Events – latte-art throw-downs and charity bake sales.
- Rugby Memorabilia – subtle nods to Super League glory adorn the walls.
- Instagram-Ready Interiors – terrazzo floors, sky-high ferns and natural light.
- Speedy for Commuters – Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop two minutes away.
- Angel Gardens Al Fresco – sun-trap terrace ideal for summer spritzes.
- Airport Outpost – grab a PKB brew before take-off at Terminal 2.
- Artisan Retail – bags of PKB house-blend beans and branded KeepCups.
- Manchester Pride Treats – Pot Kettle Black marks Manchester Pride weekend with limited-edition Rainbow Éclairs (vanilla crèmeux, almond paste, shimmer glaze) at its Barton Arcade café, tempting parade-goers from the nearby Gay Village and underscoring Mark & John’s support for the city’s LGBTQ+ celebrations.
Mark Flanagan and Jon (Wilkin) are former professional rugby-league players who swapped scrums for speciality coffee, co-founding Pot Kettle Black in 2014.
Yes—both founders still visit the Barton Arcade site regularly, especially on weekday mornings. Snap a quick selfie if you’re lucky!
The menu leans on the founders’ Aussie coffee inspiration: textbook flat whites, inventive brunch (think nduja baked eggs) and bakes from their sister bakery, Half Dozen Other.
No—these colourful éclairs are a limited-edition bake released for Manchester Pride weekend only. Keep an eye on PKB’s socials for dates.
Absolutely! From tofu scramble to almond-flour brownies, PKB offers a dedicated range of diet-friendly dishes and bakes.
Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations via the PKB website are recommended for peak brunch times.
The all-day brunch menu runs from 8 am–3 pm on weekdays and 8 am–4 pm on weekends (times may vary by venue).
Yes—well-behaved pups are welcome at all sites; water bowls and the occasional treat are provided.
Yes—pick up a 250 g bag of the house blend or a guest roast at the counter of any PKB café. (Currently, beans aren’t sold online.)
Free Wi-Fi is available at all PKB locations—perfect for remote working or catching up on emails over coffee.
Visit Manchester
Manchester, a vibrant city in the heart of England, offers a compelling mix of culture, history, and modern vibrancy, making it a prime destination for visitors from around the globe. Its rich industrial heritage, world-class art galleries like The Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery, and the legendary music scene that has birthed iconic bands, all contribute to its unique charm. The city’s diverse food scene, ranging from fine dining to street food markets like Mackie Mayor, alongside its eclectic nightlife, including the famous Gay Village, provides something for every taste. Manchester is also a sports enthusiast’s dream, home to iconic football stadiums and the legacy of the Commonwealth Games. From shopping in the Northern Quarter to exploring historic sites like Chetham’s Library and Manchester Town Hall, the city blends its industrial past with a creative and dynamic present
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