Eats

Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Didsbury announces shock closure after 33 years

Cracking start, 2024.

Daisy Jackson - 2nd January 2024

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’.

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.

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.

“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.”

A very sad day for us.
A message from us @greensveggie pic.twitter.com/v3uLUnkyoW
— simonrimmer (@simonrim) January 2, 2024

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.

“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.”

Featured image: Greens Didsbury