Hard Rock Manchester Press Release!

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THE HARD ROCK CAFE ROCK AND ROLLS INTO MANCHESTER

The world-renowned Hard Rock Cafe officially opens its fourth UK restauranton Friday December 1, 2000 with a lavish charity gala evening. Top pop idols Duran Duran will perform live in the restaurant and all proceeds from the evening will be donated to the North West based charity ?Christie?s AgainstCancer?.

The long and impressive music history associated with Manchester makes the city an obvious choice as a home for the Hard Rock Cafe. The restaurant is located in the newly opened Printworks Development and includes some of thebest in music memorabilia such as a display dedicated to multi-million selling local bands Oasis and The Smiths. Other memorabilia at theManchester restaurant includes guitars from legends Eric Clapton and BB King, a velvet jacket from Spice girl Emma Bunton, a suede jacket from rock legend Keith Richards and an elaborate bustier worn by Madonna to name but afew.

The restaurant covers 7,000 square feet and features seating for 200 (diningand bar area) and has a live music stage for regular performances by local,regional and national talent.The design of the Manchester cafe embodies the company?s strategy to offer the ultimate music experience, appeal to a younger generation and bring Hard Rock Cafe into the 21st century. The world famous eatery will also offer a full-service retail store featuringHard Rock Cafe?s famous logo T-shirt, hats, jackets and more collected by Hard Rockers throughout the world.

"Hard Rock Cafe has found a home in Manchester - a city rich in musictradition," said Pete Beaudrault, President of Hard Rock Cafe International."We?re especially excited about being part of the Printworks which is sure to become the ultimate entertainment destination in Manchester."

?Christie?s against Cancer? are very pleased to be associated with the Hard Rock Cafe for this special evening", Christie?s Appeals manager Paul Baileycommented "For the Hard Rock Cafe to dedicate their official opening to us gives a brilliant boost to our centenary appeal. This event links together one of the best known brand names on earth with a hospital that has proved pre-eminent in cancer research and treatment over the last 100 years. If we can achieve the ?Christie?s against Cancer? appeal target of £25m, for moreresearch, new patient facilities and the development of more effective cancer treatments, then we too can remain world leaders in our field."

The first Hard Rock Cafe opened its doors to the public on June 14, 1971, in London?s Hyde Park across from Buckingham Palace in a site that was originally an old Rolls Royce showroom. Since that time, Hard Rock Cafe,one of the most globally recognized music and entertainment brands, has become a network of 105 signature Hard Rock Cafes in 38 countries with a music memorabilia collection worth in excess of $31 million. Known for collectible and fashion merchandise, live concerts, Hard Rock Liveperformance venues, Hard Rock Cafe Rockfest, the Hard Rock Records music label, hardrock.com, and Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos. Hard Rock CafeInternational, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of London-based The Rank Group PLC.For more information on Hard Rock Cafe events, visitwww.hardrock.com.