Greens, the much-loved neighbourhood restaurant founded by celebrity chef Simon Rimmer, has announced it has closed after more than three decades.
The Didsbury branch of the acclaimed vegetarian restaurant has said that it has closed down with immediate effect.
The restaurant has cited rising costs as the reason for its closure, with its rent alone going up 35%.
Its newer site in Sale, which recently earned itself a place on the Rate Good Roasts Top 10 Sunday Roasts list, will remain open.
Greens was launched by Simon Rimmer and Simon Connolly in 1990 and for three decades has prided itself on ‘terrifying carnivores’.
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Simon Rimmer has shared an emotional video message this afternoon, saying it’s a ‘heartbreaking day’.
He told his followers: “Well, this is a very sad day. After 33 years of running Greens in Didsbury, we’ve unfortunately had to close the door.
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Simon Rimmer has shared an emotional video announcing the closure of Greens in Didsbury
“Our landlords have increased our rent by the region of 35%. The cost of raw materials, the cost of heat and light and power, employing people, and general food costs, have meant that unfortunately the business has become unviable.
“So with immediate effect, we’ve unfortunately shut the door. It’s a heartbreaking day.
“I’d like to thank every single member of staff that’s worked for us over the years and every single customer that’s come through the door.
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“Our amazing suppliers, our neighbours, our friends, and anybody who has ever set foot inside the door.
“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 if not here. Lots of love.”
Greens wrote on Instagram: “With great sadness we have had to close the doors on Greens Didsbury for good after 33 fantastic years.
“We can no longer make it work – our landlord has increased our rent by 35%, that together with increases in power, food and staff costs have made it impossible for us to continue we’d like to thank every single customer, member of staff, supplier and our friends and neighbours for being part of the journey.
“Our sister restaurant in Sale is still open and we’d love to see you all there to help the Greens story continue. If you have a reservation with us we’ll be in touch.
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“Love, thanks and keep terrifying the carnivores. Simon and Simon.”
Fans have been gutted at the news, with Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros writing: “So so sad! You’ll be missed in Didsbury for sure. Sending love to the team.”
Another wrote: “Devastated for you all and myself. We regularly make the 30 mile there and back trip for the luxury of being able to order anything rather than be faced with a sad girl veggie lasagne.”
Someone else posted on X: “Oh no! I’m devastated about this! My favourite place… so sorry you’ve had to close.
“We will definitely come to Sale (or come back again, I should say, we’ve been before) but we loved the original @greensveggie. Crap start to the year all round.”
Iconic ice cream cafe Grandpa Greene’s to ‘completely demolish’ canalside location, revealing big new plans
Daisy Jackson
Grandpa Greene’s fans have just one month left to visit the ice cream company’s iconic canalside cafe, with the team announcing its imminent closure – but not for too long.
The family-run business has huge plans for the site, announcing that it will be ‘completely demolishing’ the Diggle cafe to redevelop it into a new space.
This ice cream brand is one of the North West’s favourite food producers, creating dozens of ice cream flavours to serve from their parlours, as well as indulgent treats like pancakes, afternoon teas, hot chocolates, and milkshakes.
The location that most people think of when they think of Grandpa Greene’s is their spot right on the canal in Diggle, but after more than 20 years, it’s time to give the site some TLC.
Grandpa Greene’s has operated from here since 2005, when Carole Scholes opened an ice cream ‘shed’.
Now, they want to turn it into ‘the ultimate hospitality destination’, with reclaimed Cheshire brickwork, huge windows, and a vaulted roof, making the most of the scenic surrounds.
Rick Scholes, managing director at Grandpa Greene’s Luxury Ice Cream, said: “In 2005, my mum, Carole, opened a small canalside ice cream shed in Diggle after bringing my grandfather’s original family ice cream recipes back to life. None of us could ever have imagined where that journey would lead.
Grandpa Greene’s existing canalside location in Diggle will closeThe family-run business has grand plans for the siteCredit: The Manc Group
“Over the last 21 years, Grandpa Greene’s has grown organically thanks to the incredible support of our customers, our team and the local community. It’s amazing to think that what started as a small canalside ice cream shed will soon become the ultimate hospitality destination.
“This redevelopment represents the biggest investment in the history of our Diggle site and our commitment to securing the future of Grandpa Greene’s for many years to come.
“While we’re preserving everything that has made this place so special, we’re creating a fantastic new space that can be enjoyed all year round including one of the biggest milestones for the site… indoor toilets!
“We close our Diggle site this September to begin this exciting new chapter and look forward to welcoming guests back in December.
“On behalf of my family, thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last 21 years. We can’t wait to welcome you back and share the next chapter of the Grandpa Greene’s story.”
All Brewers Fayre and Beefeater locations across the UK are closing down
Danny Jones
It looks to be the end for not one but two of Britain’s best-known and long-running restaurant franchises, as Brewers Fayre and Beefeaters will be closing down all of their locations.
Dating back to the mid-1970s, there will soon be none left anywhere in the country
The pair of recognisable chains, owned by parent company Whitbread PLC – who also own Premier Inn, hence why they usually come as a joint package – have nearly 200 sites across the UK, but they are already in the process of a wholesale shutdown.
News of the impending closures first began circulating back in April, but now the process is said to be fully underway, with multiple Greater Manchester names on the chopping block.
A real shame all brewers fayres are closing down. As a member they’ve sent me a last free main. So enjoying a mixed grill pic.twitter.com/EIHMZ7LCvv
— Daniel Turner⚽️ 🏟️ 1️⃣1️⃣5️⃣8️⃣ (@puffpuff65) August 4, 2026
With roughly 3,800 staff set to be made unemployed as part of the major restructuring by Whitbread, the job cuts will see approximately 12% of their workforce laid off from a total of around 30,000.
One local duo due to face the music is the soon-to-close Stable Gate in Denton and Wheatlea Park in Wigan – both of which are Brewers Fayre branches.
89 of the brand’s boozers have been given until early September (some dates may vary) to shut up shop and hold not just their last orders, but their final dinner service full stop.
The rest of the venues closing next month are Beefeater pubs, including the Heaton Park one in Crumpsall, The Quay House at Salford Quays, and the Whitgate Inn over Oldham way.
As for others nearby, Macclesfield’s Springwood Park is also set to close.
The older of the two British mainstays is Beefeater, which was founded by Whitbread back in 1974 when they opened their first pub, The Halfway House, down in Enfield.
Brewers debuted up North in ’79, with a maiden watering hole called The Farmers Arms in Preston, before going on to open several locations around Lancashire and eventually nationwide.
Most of you will likely have visited or at the very least passed one of those food and drink spots in your time, and while they may be more associated with hotels and service stations these days, they still served as regular haunts for plenty of people who will no doubt be gutted to see them go.
Speaking of services, another big name is expanding further into the North West.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd January 2024 
