Counter House is an independent bar and restaurant in Manchester’s Ancoats. Known for its small plates, strong drinks offering and relaxed but lively atmosphere, it’s become one of the go-to spots in an area that just keeps getting busier.

With a solid reputation and a loyal following already in place, the foundations were there. It just needed sharpening.

We were brought in to review their social media and help drive more people through the door.

While the venue already had a strong online following, the content wasn’t consistent and lacked variety. Engagement was up and down, and there wasn’t a clear strategy behind what was being posted or why.

With a new menu launching and more competition in the area, they wanted to raise awareness, reach new audiences and turn that online attention into actual customers.

The goal was simple. Grow the following, increase engagement and bring in new faces.

We were introduced through a referral and started with a full review of their current social presence.

We looked at what was working, what wasn’t and where the gaps were. That included content, tone of voice, posting consistency and how they were interacting with their audience.

From there, we built a clear social strategy focused on consistency, variety and growth.

Alongside this, we planned regular content days to build a stronger bank of assets, covering everything from food and drink to the overall vibe of the venue. We also introduced influencer activity, working with local food creators and micro influencers to bring new audiences to the brand.

Some of the key challenges we addressed included inconsistent posting, lack of fresh content, no real mix between product and brand content, and missed opportunities when it came to engaging with followers and promoting quieter trading periods like daytime.

We worked with Counter House on a monthly retainer, managing and delivering their organic social activity.

This included regular photography and videography, creating a consistent stream of content that showcased the venue, the menu and the overall experience.

We built a more balanced content mix, combining product led posts with broader brand and lifestyle content, while also supporting key moments like menu launches.

Alongside this, we ran collaborations with local creators, introduced competitions to boost engagement and footfall, and managed ongoing interaction with followers through comments and messages.

Everything was designed to keep the brand active, visible and engaging week to week.