Gusto Restaurants has confirmed that its Didsbury location has sadly closed after 17 years.
The chain of Italian restaurants has multiple venues all over the UK, including half a dozen in the North West alone and, up until recently boasted a total of four across Greater Manchester and its neighbouring areas.
Now though, the restaurant group has quietly shared the news that their long-standing Didsbury site has unfortunately closed its doors after more than a decade and a half as a mainstay on Wilmslow Road.
News of the closure was verified following an official update on the Gusto website and the south Manchester spot has now been marked as ‘permanently closed’ on Google.
Credit: Gusto Restaurants website (screenshot)
Posting a short notice on their Restaurants page, a statement reads: “We are sad to announce that our Didsbury restaurant will be closing its doors permanently as of today.
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“We want to take this moment to thank those who have joined us for your loyalty and support. You made our restaurant a place filled with celebrations and laughter.
“As always, our team members are our top priority. We are doing everything we can to support them in finding new roles within the business or guiding them as they take the next steps in their journey.
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“Thank you for allowing us to serve you, and for being part of our journey. We will cherish the memories made here. Team Gusto Italian x”
Having been regular patrons of the Italian eatery for many years, we’re sad to see it go; fellow fans of their food will be relieved to hear, however, that their Manchester city centre and Cheadle Hulme sites will remain open, as will their nearby Alderley Edge and Knutsford equivalents.
Gusto Didsbury now visibly shut down on what would usually be a steady weeknight service. (Credit: The Manc Group)
One of multiple sites opened by the group in 2007, Gusto Didsbury was one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the town for a long time and had previously won Italian Restaurant of the Year at the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association’s PAPA Industry Awards.
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Founded in Cheshire back in 2005 by Jeremy Roberts and the late Tim Bacon of the Living Ventures Group following the rebrand of Est Est Est, Gusto eventually received financial backing from Palatine Private Equity back in 2014, with the Didsbury restaurant remaining one of their key locations.
However, with the local area’s culinary scene positively booming, competition has continued to increase over the years and after receiving interest in the unit from “well-known” retailers, the company has decided to vacate the premises promptly following a review of the site.
They have also ensured to help their current Didsbury team transition into other existing venues as well “ensuring they are provided with opportunities within our wider business where available and have all necessary resources.” Sadly, it’s not the only local food and drink spot that’s bid goodbye this week.
Featured Images — Gusto Restaurants (via Instagram)/The Manc Group
Eats
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Insomnia Cookies is giving away FREE cookies to anyone with these two names
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s late-night sweet treat spot Insomnia Cookies is dishing out freebies this week… but there’s a catch.
You have to be called one of two specific names to get one.
With the long bank holiday weekend upon us, those in-the-know will also have noticed that this Sunday isn’t just Easter Sunday, it also happens to be 4/20… and that means Insomnia Cookies is back with its ‘blazing’ £4.20 deal, giving you the chance to bag a box of four warm cookies while saving nearly £7 at the same time.
But even better still, if you happen to have either the first or middle name ‘Mary’ or ‘Jane’, then you can also get yourself a warm tasty cookie for free.
To mark both 4/20, and celebrate the launch of its newest strain of mouthwatering cookie, the Mary Jane, anyone called Mary or Jane can pop into either of Insomnia Cookies’ two Manchester city centre sites – Cross Street and University Green – show their valid ID with their name on, and walk alway with a cookie free of charge.
If you want to try the new Mary Jane cookie, then this limited-edition special is made up of a cookies n cream dough base, packed with rainbow sprinkles.
The freebie deal has been running all week, and you have up until 3am on Monday 21 April to take advantage of it.
Customers will be limited to one free cookie per day.
Insomnia Cookies is giving away free cookies to anyone with these two names / Credit: Insomnia Cookies UK
If you aren’t lucky enough to be called one of those two names though, then thankfully you can still make some great savings on a classic four-pack of cookies over the spring bank holiday weekend, and for every four-pack sold, £1 will be donated to Groundwork – a charity helping make Manchester greener for nature and for local people.
“We’re calling for Marys and Janes to join us to live the high life with free cookies all week,” commented Millie Ralston, Head of Marketing at Insomnia Cookies.
Danny Jones -
11th November 2024 
