Huge TV chef’s restaurant chain closes last branch after 34 years in ‘very sad’ news-Pierra Willix-Entertainment – Metro

A celebrity chef has been forced to shut his restaurant (Picture: Steve Meddle/ Rex/ Shutterstock)

The last remaining branch of a celebrity chef’s restaurant chain has closed it doors.

In 1990 Simon Rimmer bought Greens, a vegetarian restaurant in West Didsbury, Manchester, alongside Simon Connolly.

He became its chef after the business partners realised they were unable to afford to hire someone.

Greens then appeared in the AA guide for 31 of the next 33 years, became the first purely vegetarian restaurant to appear in The Good Food Guide.

A sister restaurant opened in Sale, Greater Manchester, in July 2022.

However earlier this year the original restaurant was shut down due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer first opened Greens in Manchester in 1990 (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/Shutterstock)

Now, less than a year later, the other one has been forced to close.

In a statement posted on social media, the restaurant shared: ‘It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently of Greens Sale with immediate effect. 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.’

Simon, 61, is yet to comment on the latest closure, which marks the end of his restaurant chain.

When announcing the closure of Greens Didsbury in January, Simon posted an emotional message on social media.

‘It’s a very sad day. We’ve unfortunately had to close the door,’ he shared.

Earlier this year Greens Didsbury was forced to shut due to the cost-of-living crisis (Picture: Men Media)

‘Our landlords have increased our rent in the region of 35%, and the cost of raw materials, the cost of heat, the cost of power, employing people, and general food costs has meant that the business has become unviable,’ he explained in a short video posted on Instagram.

He added: ‘It’s a heartbreaking day.’

Simon, who has hosted Sunday Brunch with Tim Lovejoy since 2012, also thanked every member of staff, customer, supplier, neighbour, and friend for keeping it going for over three decades.

Throughout his career Simon has also appeared on This Morning, The One Show, Great British Menu, Celebrity Mastermind and Strictly Come Dancing.

Sunday Brunch airs weekly from 9.30am.

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