Rosso, the popular city-centre restaurant and bar co-owned by Rio Ferdinand,has confirmeditwill be closing its doors after nearly a decade and a half of business.
The former footballer’s Italian eatery has existed as a glamorous dining destination in Manchester for 14 years, with the ex-Manchester United star beginning his business portfolio with Rosso in November 2009, but the restaurant has now confirmed it will soon be shutting for good.
Issuing an emotional statement on social media, Rosso said, “It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our Rosso Restaurant & Bar.
“Last night, after nearly 14 years, we were delighted to hold a final service for our wonderful customers.”
The statement went on to say: “It wasn’t an easy decision to close this wonderful restaurant which has flourished into an icon of the Manchester restaurant and social scene. It feels like the right time to go out at the height of our popularity and look ahead to new horizons.
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“Rosso wouldn’t have been the same without our wider family, suppliers and our wonderful customers whom we have had the enviable pleasure of serving.
“We could not be more grateful to our Champions League-winning staff both past and present. Our thanks go out to each and every one of them for making Rosso what we are today.
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“We always believed we should close Rosso on a high and we thank each and every one of you for being part of our championship team.
The restaurant didn’t give any specifics as to the reasoning behind the King Street site shutting down, but given the ongoing cost of living crisis and businesses all over the country struggling to pay energy bills and rent prices, it shouldn’t come as too huge a shock.
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It was only this past November that fellow footballer turned businessman, Gary Neville, confirmed that The Bull & Bear would be shutting after chef and owner Tom Kerridge said that energy bills at his restaurants had surged by over 600%.
As for co-owner Ferdinand, the 44-year-old is yet to issue a statement following Rosso’s unfortunate news, but will no doubt be heartbroken to see his flagship venture outside of football come to an end of so many years of success.
Rosso becomes just the latest casualty in a long line of hospitality closures in Manchester. In another shocking bit of Eats news, Oxford Road’s popular food village and trading hall Hatch revealed it has been bought out, with vendors given just a month to find a new home.
Featured Image — Rosso Restaurants (via Instagram)/The Manc Group/Google Street View
Eats
Joe & The Juice to open even MORE locations in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
Joe & The Juice is set to launch yet more juice bars and coffee shops in Manchester city centre.
The viral brand used to have a spot in town within the former Debenhams building, but vanished from Greater Manchester when the department store folded.
But its comeback has been remarkable since reopening in town last year, with the number of Joe & The Juice locations now at an all-time high.
And there are even more on the way…
Bright pink hoardings have appeared on a corner unit on Princess Street, right off St Peter’s Square, teasing a new Joe & The Juice cafe in the city centre.
The unit has been empty for at least 10 years, despite being in such a prime part of the city centre.
Plans were also revealed last year for the Danish-based brand to open within the reopened Sunlight House on Quay Street.
Joe & The Juice is coming to St Peter’s Square in ManchesterJoe & The Juice on Cross Street
The new additions will bring the number of Joe & The Juices in Greater Manchester to five, adding to their existing portfolio of Cross Street, Manchester Airport T2, and the Trafford Centre.
The brand is known for its signature menu of juices, smoothies, health shots, coffees and matchas, plus its viral Scandi-inspired sandwiches like the Tunacado.
With more than 300 juice bars and coffee shops around the world, Joe & The Juice’s pink branding has become a familiar site globally since its launch in 2002.
An exact opening date for the new St Peter’s Square Joe & The Juice hasn’t been revealed yet, but the signs promise it’s ‘coming soon’.
Inside the new Manchester food hall opening in a Grade II-listed building
Daisy Jackson
The operators behind a brand-new food hall in Manchester city centre have shared a glimpse inside.
Work is underway to transform the Grade II-listed Ducie Street Warehouse into an enormous food hall concept, with 11 kitchens plus an outdoor terrace, mini cinema, tequila bar, and game rooms.
When it opens this summer, Manchester Street Food will also have a self-service beer tap wall and two stages, as well as a 75-cover private hire space.
Ducie Street Warehouse closed late last year to make room for the building’s new chapter, as the team behind Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) take the reins.
In new images shared today, original features like the arched brick ceilings and terracotta tiled floors will be retained, but the space will have plenty of colour added in the form of murals, painted pillars, and neons.
ESF is looking to expand right across the UK over the next five years, kicking off here in Manchester on the edges of the Northern Quarter.
The 15,000 sq ft internal space, just a stone’s throw from Manchester Piccadilly, will have space for 450 people inside plus another 180 on the south-facing terrace outside.
The games room at Manchester Street FoodThe 32-seat cinemaInside Manchester Street Food
A winter garden will host breakfast service, while guest traders will take over the terrace to keep the offering fresh.
The existing 32-seat mini cinema in the building will be retained in the new plans for Manchester Street Food.
Manchester Street Food is expected to generate 180 employee opportunities.
Ben MacMillan, ESF Managing Director, said: “Manchester has always been a city with incredible energy, creativity and a love of food, so bringing our concept here in this stunning venue is a natural and exciting next step.
“We want to create a space brought to life by local artists which celebrates the city’s culture and provides line up independent traders and brewers a city centre platform to shine.
“We’ve seen how much people embraced the spirit of ESF in Edinburgh and we know Manchester, with its energy and hunger for innovation will take it to another level. We’re incredibly excited about making the city our second home.”
Danny Jones -
18th September 2023 
