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
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
The amazing new doughnut shop that’s opened in a churchyard in Wigan
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new doughnut hatch has landed in Wigan, serving fresh bakes and speciality coffee from inside a beautiful local churchyard.
This is Holy Grounds, the latest independent spot bringing together freshly made doughnuts, excellent coffee and a spectacular setting, right beside the Wigan Parish Church.
The Lancashire-born business expanded to Wigan just three weeks ago, and it’s already proving hugely popular with the locals.
As we’re seeing all over Wigan these days, Holy Grounds have taken on a beautiful characterful space and turned it into a great new independent hangout.
The doughnut hatch is connected to the church itself, with the room believed to have once been an old school space. Today, it’s been given a very different purpose, with the smell of freshly baked doughnuts and coffee filling the building.
And you can still get a very real reminder that you’re sitting inside a church – the bells ring twice a day.
Holy Grounds was set up by Sam, who was previously a vicar, alongside his partner Hannah.
They and their team are making doughnuts fresh every day, using a 48-hour proving process, before transforming them into a monthly-rotating selection of flavours.
This month’s specials at Holy GroundsThe selection of Holy Grounds doughnuts in WiganA peach and almond doughnut, and an OGHoly Grounds stands in the churchyard of Wigan Parish ChurchFreshly-made doughnuts and coffee in Wigan
This month’s flavours include The OG, peach and almond, chocolate cornflakes, and blackberry and white chocolate.
Holy Grounds serves speciality coffee from Clifton Coffee Roasters in Bristol, making the doughnut-and-coffee combination feel less like a quick sugar hit and more like a proper little ritual.
A beautiful old building, fresh doughnuts, excellent coffee and church bells ringing overhead?
We’re not saying we’ve found heaven, but we’re definitely getting closer.
Danny Jones -
11th November 2024 
