Sarah Tierney
Editor
Summary
Sarah Tierney is the editor of Confidential Guides and one of its main writers. She has over 20 years of experience as a journalist and copywriter, covering restaurants, bars, hotels, travel, fitness, culture and things to do in the North of England, particularly Manchester and Liverpool. She has also written two novels which are published by Bloodhound Books.
Experience
Sarah writes across Confidential Guides producing guides, reviews and features. Her work spans independent neighbourhood spots, major city openings, and regional hotel stays, with a focus on clarity, practicality and genuine experience.
Areas of Expertise and Interest
Food, drink, and things to do across Manchester, Liverpool, and the wider North of England including:
- Restaurants and dining
- Bars, cafés and hospitality venues
- Hotel stays and city breaks
- Seasonal and themed activities and days out
- Fitness and wellness
- Independent shops
Review Approach
Sarah’s recommendations are informed by first-hand visits and independent editorial judgement. She assesses venues based on overall experience — including food, service, atmosphere and value — with the aim of giving readers a good sense of what to expect and whether it’s right for them. Her work highlights new openings, established favourites and lesser-known venues, with the aim of helping readers discover places worth visiting.
Editorial Transparency
Confidential Guides (part of Confidentials) is independently written by our editorial team. While premium listings are paid-for, they are not written by or approved by clients, ensuring unbiased and independent coverage.
Author Posts
4 walks with snowdrops in Manchester (and where to go for cake afterwards)
You don't have to go far to find snowdrops in Manchester - here are our favourite spots including a city...
Almost all the winners of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2026
The city's thriving food scene was honoured last night at the 2026 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards. Here's a...
5 uplifting events in Manchester to take you through to spring
Add some joy to the last few months of winter 2026 with these five uplifting Manchester events, shows and experiences.
5 January dining deals in Manchester worth making plans around
There's a lot of offers out there at the moment but there's also a very comfy sofa waiting for you...
12 vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants in Manchester city centre
Plenty of restaurants cater to vegans and vegetarians but many see a plant-based diet as an afterthought. We've chosen these...
Manchester Central
The Hot 20: the most popular Liverpool restaurants
Want a snapshot of which restaurants and bars in Liverpool are 'hot' right now? The Confidential Guides Hot 20 is...
The Hot 50: the most popular Manchester restaurants
Want a snapshot of which restaurants and bars in Manchester are 'hot' right now? The Confidential Guides Hot 50 is...
Manchester restaurants: 2025’s biggest new openings
The only constant is change on the Manchester restaurant scene. Here's the pick of this year's new openings - 15...
Where to get the best pizza in Manchester
Whether it's Neapolitan, Roman or Chicago deep-pan, grab a slice of the action with Confidential's Guide to the best pizza...
The neighbourhood guide to Glossop
Just half an hour by train from Manchester, could Glossop be about to become a day-out destination in its own...
The best independent shops in Manchester for last-minute gifts
Looking for cool, individual or arty gifts? Here are the best independent shops in Manchester for unique and thoughtful presents.
Beautiful spots for walks near Manchester
If you think Manchester is all about factories and industry, you're either about 150 years in the past, or you've...