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.”
Didsbury favourite Rustik has confirmed its will sadly be closing this month
Danny Jones
West Didsbury favourite Rustik has sadly announced it will be closing for food after a decade at the end of this month.
The beloved Burton cafe and bar has been a staple of the tight-knit foodie neighbourhood since 2015, but now the independent Irish eatery has confirmed that the business will be shutting down permanently in less than a fortnight.
Confirmed on Wednesday afternoon, 17 September, the casual Manc restaurant and hangout informed their loyal followers of the unfortunate news.
Unsurprisingly, their social media has been awash with condolences, collective sadness and support for the local institution.
Posting across all of their accounts, Rustik wrote: “After an unforgettable 10 years on Burton Road, the time has come to close our doors. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come — never in a million years did we imagine Rustik would grow into what it became.
“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single one of you who walked through our doors and supported us along the way. We poured everything we had — our time, our energy, our lives into making Rustik a space for everyone. And what a ride it’s been.
“From the chaotic, beautiful brunch shifts to late nights dancing on tables to ‘Wagon Wheel’, pushing through the challenges of COVID and helping our community with meals during hard times— we’ve done it all, together.
“To our amazing staff, past and present: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and the love you brought every single day. You helped build something truly special, and we’ll never be able to thank you enough.
“To the incredible musicians who filled our space with life — keep doing what you do. The noise complaints? 100% worth the unforgettable nights.”
The team go on to detail that the official closing date is Tuesday, 30 September, reiterating that it is “business running as usual until then” and urging fans to “come down, grab your last Rustik fix, and raise a glass with us one final time.”
Signing off with an emotional farewell, they add: “Lastly, a message close to our hearts: please support your local cafes, bars, and independents. Hospitality is tough right now, and they need your support more than ever.
“Thank you for the most incredible decade of our lives. It’s over and out from us.”
It goes without saying that we’re gutted to see Rustik go and know how much it meant not only to the Burton Road community, but also to the Didsbury community, Chorlton and many other Greater Manchester natives.
A ‘saucy’ new Korean fried chicken restaurant is opening in the Gay Village
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new Korean fried chicken restaurant and cocktail bar is set to open on Canal Street this week.
CLUK is promising some big deals and amazing giveaways to celebrate its launch in Manchester, including free food and prize draws.
The newcomer in the heart of the city will specialise in Korean-style crispy fried chicken, but also warming ramen bowls, and salt & pepper classics.
Signature dishes will include Korean cheese-powder fried chicken, and Cheese Volcano Chicken.
CLUK will also serve dishes like kimchi cheese loaded fries, salt & pepper chicken, and huge sharing platters.
You can customise your Korean fried chicken order by size, choosing between wings and boneless and picking a flavour out of honey garlic, sweet and spicy, honey mustard, and honey and sour.
They promise it’ll all be ‘saucy, crunchy, and seriously addictive’.
That’s all washed down with ice-cold beers and creative cocktails, like martinis, spritzes and sours.
CLUK is now open in the Gay Village in ManchesterA spread of CLUK dishesInside CLUK ManchesterFried chicken with Korean cheese powderInside CLUK Manchester
The CLUK team are hoping to create a fun late-night dining option for this buzzing corner of the city centre.
To celebrate its launch on Thursday 18 September, CLUK have announced a whole heap of promotions.
This includes free chicken bao for the first 50 guests to visit during the first five days.
Over the two week launch period, visitors can spin the wheel whenever you spend £12 – spend £24 and spin twice.
And there are big prizes available – the top prize is a £100 gift card or £50 cash, with other prizes including free drinks, food and a £3 voucher as a consolation prize.
Plus, anyone who buys a gift card and tops it up with £100 will receive a free beer or cider.
When those two weeks are up, CLUK will run a £1,000 prize draw.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd January 2024 
