A TOP celebrity chef has revealed he is “heartbroken” after closing his “very first” restaurant that kicked off his 33-year career in the food business.
TV star Simon Rimmer’s last remaining Greens restaurant announced its closure on September 17 – just months after the original shut its doors.
Greens was one of the first vegetarian restaurants in Manchester and the first fully vegetarian one to be featured in the Good Food Guide.
It had its original branch in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, which closed in January this year after being open for 33 years.
Simon blamed COVID-19 for pushing up costs and the landlord increasing the rent by 35%.
And now the second restaurant branch in Sale, Greater Manchester, has also closed after being open for two years.
Speaking to Manchester Evening News, the TV chef revealed: “It was heartbreaking. Just heartbreaking.
“[It was] my very first restaurant. I’ve grown up there. I’ve had kids there. I’ve grown from being a boy to a man, started a television career, and bought my house off the back of it.”
Simon revealed that closing the restaurant – which he said was the “cornerstone of his life” – was the hardest decision he had to make throughout his business career.
He added: “Greens was the cornerstone of my life. The outpouring of love and emotion from people was so humbling. Particularly with Didsbury.
“We’d been there since 1990. We always say that when we opened Greens, West Didsbury wasn’t the place it is now. It was still quite rough and ready.”
Greens has been a welcoming place for vegans and vegetarians alike and the closure has come as a shock to fans.
The restaurant’s management took to Facebook to release a heartbreaking statement, writing: “We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members and guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
The eatery will close with “immediate effect”, they added.
The Facebook post has since racked up hundreds of likes and comments.
One person wrote: “So sad to read this, one of our Sale favourites.”
Another said: “No. End of an era. Loved both restaurants. So sad.”
A third commented: “Oh god, this is so sad, my absolute favourite restaurant of all time.”
And another penned: “Oh no, that’s very sad. We have loved 12yrs of eating at Greens. Definitely the end of an era.”
Simon Rimmer and his business partner, actor, Simon Connelly launched the beloved restaurant in 1990.
The original Greens in Didsbury, Manchester, drew its curtains for good in January after 33 years of trading.
At the time of the closure, Simon posted an emotional message saying: “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this message.
“Big love, thank you for the last 33 years and hopefully we’ll see you in Sale. Lots of love.”
Alas, Greens Sale closed just eight months later.
Unlike the Didsbury site, Greens Sale offered a large bar, outdoor seating, plus a roof terrace.
However, their menus were very similar.
When Greens Didsbury closed, Simon told fans that due to increases in rent and energy bills, there would be no future for the restaurant.
He stated in a video: “Well this is a very sad day. After 33 years of running Greens in Didsbury, we’ve unfortunately had to close the door.
“Our landlords have increased the rent in the region of 35%, the cost of raw materials, the cost of heat, light and power, employing people and general food costs have meant the business has unfortunately become unviable so with immediate effect we have shut the door,” said the chef at the time.
He also thanked the staff who worked there along with suppliers, customers, neighbours and friends, and noted that this was a “heartbreaking day”.
Elsewhere, a chef who worked at one of Jamie Oliver’s restaurants has announced he will shutter his food spot, leaving diners devastated.
Meanwhile, former Masterchef finalist Tony Rodd was forced to close his restaurant in Blackheath whilst Michel Roux Jr closed the doors on his iconic restaurant Gavroche in January after 56 years in business.
Experts say the cost of living crisis has left customers favouring a cheap dinner over splashing out on fancy evenings out in expensive restaurants, and this has made celeb chefs think twice about whether it’s worth continuing to run their business.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
