From Karen’s Diner to Trove: The restaurants, pubs, bars, and cafes that have closed in Greater Manchester this year so far

Since the start of the year, we’ve seen a new Government take control, we’ve found a local champion in Luke Littler, we’ve finally got to attend gigs at Co-op Live, and we’ve even found time to celebrate England getting to the Euro 2024 final in quite rowdy fashion.

But in the same span of almost eight months, those working in the hospitality sector have also had to face a slew of challenges. In addition to the cost of living crisis and the continued impact of Brexit, it was announced back in March that the then-Government’s Spring Budget would not, as it had been hoped, include VAT cuts and business rate caps to help the industry.

Whilst the Budget did include a freeze on alcohol duty for a year, the pleas for VAT to be cut down to 12.5% from the current 20% level were ignored. At the time, pub operator and brewer JW Lees said that whilst the beer duty would save the industry a reported £171m, it still faced a ‘cliff edge’ of ‘spiralling wage costs and business rates increases’.

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Tom McNeeney, Head Chef at The Oxford Pub in Rochdale, previously told the M.E.N that it felt like a ‘terrifying’ time for the industry, with some of the city’s leading chefs and restaurants having to make the difficult decision to shut up shop.

This year alone, Greater Manchester has seen the closure of restaurants, bars, and venues that have, in most cases, still been at the top of their game and have been trying to make the best out of the difficult climate.

They have included some of the city’s finest restaurants, like Simon Wood’s Greens in Didsbury, some quirky establishments like Karen’s Diner and a string of popular student bars, park cafes, and small, local eateries.

Here’s a round-up of some of the restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs and other venues that have called time on business this year.

January

Greens

Just a couple of days into the start of the year, it was announced that Simon Rimmer’s hit vegetarian restaurant Greens in Didsbury would be closing. The Saturday Kitchen chef and his team said the move to close the venue after 33 years came after realising they “can no longer make it work” after their landlord increased rent by 35%, with rising costs had making it “impossible” to continue. Thankfully, the restaurant’s site on Stanley Square in Sale continues to operate.

Sonata

Late night piano and cabaret bar Sonata also closed its doors in January after 18 months. Owners of the city centre venue in St Ann’s Alley said the decision came following the ‘near impossible challenges’ facing venues across the hospitality sector in the ‘current climate’.

Taste of Honey

In West Didsbury, popular deli A Taste of Honey closed after six years. Owner Penny Lynch said the closure came after following a series of difficulties facing the hospitality industry. It was described by locals as the ‘end of an era’.

Cottonopolis

Popular Asian-inspired bar and restaurant Cottonopolis also announced its closure in January. The Northern Quarter venue first opened in 2015 within a Grade II-listed building on the corner of Newton Street and Dale Street – going from tailor’s studio into swanky food and drink spot.

In March, the restaurant’s owners Nick and Hayley Muir reopened the venue as a new public house and grill The Lamb of Tartary with renowned chef Shaun Moffat at the helm.

Black Dog Ballroom

January also saw popular beer spot Black Dog Ballroom, based on Church Street on the corner of Afflecks, close after 15 years in operation.

Hong Thai

Popular Arndale Market stall Hong Thai announced in January that it would not be reopening in its original location after a blaze broke out in the south side of the market hall in November.

Thankfully, the owners said it was not the end of the business – and reopened at a new spot on Oldham Road in Ancoats in May, featuring its popular dishes inspired by Hong Kong and Thailand cuisine.

Bianco

It was a difficult month in January, and another casualty in the hospitality industry was popular coffee and pizza spot Bianco in Sale. Owners said they had made the ‘extremely hard decision’ due to spiralling rent, food and energy costs. Its Altrincham venue also closed a short while later.

Squawk

Squawk Brewing Company announced it would be shutting down in January, with its last beer being released in March. With a bar in the Northern Quarter, the brewery had become known for its craft ales and IPAs since 2013.

In June, it was announced the brewery would live on as part of Pendle-based brewery Moorhouse’s, whilst Squawk’s bar on the corner of Dale Street is now operated by Fell Brewery.

February

Stretford Food Hall

Owners of Stretford Food Hall went the same way as Sale Food Hall last yeary, with owners General Stores announcing its closure in February.

The venue has now been taken over by popular pizzeria and café Bakehouse32, which will be aiming to bring community-driven events to the area.

The Vurger Co

Vegan burger joint, The Vurger Co, in the Northern Quarter sadly also closed in February. The spot, on Tib Street, blamed ‘soaring’ costs and ‘plunging’ sales for the decision.

Canvas

Late-night restaurant, bar and live music venue Canvas, on Oxford Road, closed in February. Having first opened in July 2022, the space was known for hosting a series of community events, pop-up food stalls and live entertainment.

Zing & Zest

Popular Indian restaurant Zing & Zest, on Oldham Road in Ashton-under-Lyne, closed after 12 years in business. Well-reviewed online, the restaurant also served a popular all-you-can-eat buffet on Sunday’s.

March

The Thirsty Korean

Beloved restaurant The Thirsty Korean, situated on Manchester Road in Chorlton, announced it would be closing at the end of March after five years due to the end of the lease for the venue.

Owner Eunji Noh said the challenges of the hospitality industry made it difficult for her to continue operating.]

However, it is not all sad news for fans of the Korean restaurant. Eunji teased earlier this year that she anticipated she would be back ‘in a new way’ by the end of the year. Here’s hoping!

April

Gin Gin Bar

Gin Gin Bar in Oldham announced in April that it would be closing down after five years. The popular gin bar on Milnrow Road in Shaw boasted more than 100 different gins on offer, and hosted parties and events across its two-storey venue – which also included a karaoke lounge.

Pie & Ale

Northern Quarter bar Pie & Ale, located on Lever Street, announced it was closing in April. First opened in 2013, the venue was known for its homemade pies as well as its selection of award-winning cask ales.

A sign on the venue’s door at the time of its closure simply said it had ‘ceased trading’.

May

The Cheese Court

Urmston deli The Cheese Court, which owners said they had ‘fought hard’ to keep going, sadly closed at the end of May.

The shop, known for its artisan cheeses, wines and meats, had been a staple in the area since 2019 but cited energy hikes and ‘soaring’ product prices as part of the reason for its closure.

Rigatoni’s

In an honest and upfront message on social media to its frequent diners, owners of pasta venue Rigatoni’s said ‘we have failed’ in a message about their brutal year.

Following a rebrand from the original Sugo Pasta Kitchen, staff accepted the shift in concept had not struck a chord and the Ancoats site, on Blossom Street, closed down – its third in just a matter of months. Its venue on Altrincham’s Shaw’s Road, however, remains open.

Proost

Popular Continental restaurant Proost, which opened in 2019, announced it would be closing in May.

Based on Crofts Bank Road in Urmston, the restaurant’s owners said it was ‘impossible’ to keep the business afloat due to the ‘current economic climate’.

Peru Perdu

South American restaurant Peru Perdu, which was based within the Whitworth Locke hotel’s Cotton Factory on Princess Street, closed its doors for good at the beginning of June after a successful five years.

Hailed as one of the city centre’s best kept secrets, the restaurant served small plates, including the likes of sea bass ceviche and Chimmi chicken wings. Announcing its closure, the venue said it had been given notice by the building owners – which was described as being the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for the business.

The Footage

Iconic city centre bar The Footage mysteriously closed in May without warning.

The pub, on the corner of Grosvenor Street and Oxford Road, was a popular drinking spot for students due to its proximity to both the Manchester Metropolitan University campus and the University of Manchester.

June

The Woodlands Café

Described as a ‘hidden gem’, The Woodlands Café, based at Dunwood Park in Shaw, Oldham had been a popular spot for almost two years until its closure in June.

Owners of the ‘community based cafe’ said it ‘couldn’t go on’ due to the rising costs of food and ‘other factors’.

Trove

Award-winning bakery Trove announced it would be closing down all three of its branches in June. The popular name closed its sites in Ancoats, Levenshulme and Wilmslow after a series of struggles.

The move came just two days after the company behind the bakery entered liquidation with more than £1.6 million of debt.

Firefly

Spinningfields restaurant Firefly closed in June after four years in operation.

Owners behind the LA-inspired bar and eatery said the decision came following ‘unsuccessful lease renewal negotiations with the landlord’.

Bernie’s Canteen

Grocery store and canteen Bernie’s, in Altrincham, closed after owners said they had struggled through a ‘long slog against an uphill current’.

The concept originally started life as Bernie’s Grocery Store in Heaton Moor in 2020, with a second site in Altrincham. In 2022, it was decided to close the original Stockport site and rebrand into its newer canteen concept in Trafford following the increased rise in costs.

Karen’s Diner

Another high profile closure of the year so far came in June when it was revealed that the Karen’s Diner spot in Prestwich was up for sale.

The restaurant, known for delivering intentionally ‘rude’ service, permanently closed its Bury New Road branch on June 11 after two years in operation. Owners behind the American diner concept, which originated in Australia, said they were now going to focus on ‘pop up’ events.

Broadway Diner

Also in June, Global Ventures announced they would also be shutting down their Broadway Diner restaurant in the Trafford Centre.

The musical-inspired restaurant – where waiters broke into show tunes – was housed in the centre’s White House-esque building, The Orangery. Despite opening in November, it was revealed to have permanently closed on June 14, but is expected to continue as a pop-up concept with tours across the country.

Pavillion

Park café Pavillion, in Whalley Range, also closed down in June. Based in Alexandra Park, the venue’s bosses said it had closed after it had been unable to renew its contract.

Enzo’s

Enzo’s Italian Bar and Restaurant, based on Castle Street in Tyldesley in Wigan, closed down after years of being a staple in the local community. It was also where celebratory meals were held for school leavers from the area.

iKaro

Located in the former Panacea site on John Dalton Street in the city centre, luxury sushi and steak restaurant iKaro announced it was closing its doors at the end of June.

Billed as a ‘cosmopolitan seafood, grill and Champagne bar’, the venue had first opened in September 2023.

House of Hoagie

Popular city centre food stall House of Hoagies, based within the Mala ‘secret garden’ bar on the corner of Dale Street and Lever Street in the Northern Quarter, announced it was closing after just nine months in operation.

Known for its huge sandwiches, the stall was from the same team behind burger shop House of Bun.

Caribbean Creations

Caribbean Creations, located on Florence Street in Sale, closed after almost four years after owners admitted that the ‘increased costs associated with running a business’ no longer made it feasible to continue trading.

Owner Valerie Leveridge said there were plans to keep the concept going as a catering business.

PLY

Popular Northern Quarter pizza restaurant PLY, on the corner of Lever Street and Stevenson Square, closed in June after almost ten years in business.

Known for its Neapolitan sourdough pizzas, the restaurant later featured pop-ups from other local food spots. Bosses said the pizzeria was closing as the venue was ‘in need of some major TLC’ and would be making way for a new tenant.

July

Colleen’s

Award-winning Greater Manchester restaurant Colleen’s, located in Ramsbottom, opened in March 2022 but closed in July this year.

Owners of the venue, on Bridge Street, said it had closed due to the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis, as well as a ‘lack of government support’ and an increase in running costs.

Wholesome Junkies

Popular vegan restaurant Wholesome Junkies, which was located under an archway near to Victoria Train Station, closed with immediate effect earlier this month.

Despite being popular, the venue’s founder Chelsea Campbell said its costs had ‘skyrocketed’ and they couldn’t ‘keep up with the debt’.

Factory Bake

independent city centre bakery Factory Bake, which opened on King Street West last October, said it had closed following ‘a lot of road blocks’.

Owners said, however, that they would continue to serve coffee and pastries at its Factory Coffee kiosk, across the street inside luxury tailors Dooley & Rostron.

La Rosa Bella

Italian restaurant La Rosa Bella, based on Liverpool Road in Irlam, announced this month that it would be closing down for good on August 11.

Los Vinos

Spanish tapas restaurant Los Vinos, on Crofts Bank Road in Urmston, also announced it would be closing in August (25).