Karen’s Diner, the restaurant chain where customers pay for staff to insult them, has confirmed the future of its UK sites after shutting down three of its original restaurants this week.
Karen’s Diners in Surfers Paradise, Perth, and Melbourne have all shut their doors after being placed into voluntary liquidation, with the company writing on Facebook: “Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and Karen can’t stay forever! Today marks the closing of some of our Australian pop-up stores.”
The closure of the original sites down under has left some wondering about the fate of the UK restaurants, including Manchester’s closest – Karen’s Diner over in Prestwich, Bury.
Speaking to The Manc, bosses behind the UK and European Operations Team confirmed that the UK sites were unaffected by the Australian closures.
A representative from the UK and European Operations Team said that the company managing the recently-closed Australian sites is just one of nine subsidiaries within the Viral Ventures Holdings Group in Australia.
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“We understand that these short term leases were due to expire and poor management within this company led to this inevitable conclusion,” they said.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
“We accept that Karen haters and Zelus worshippers will look to jump on an opportunity to question the longevity of dinings most outrageous brand. They will be disappointed.”
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The principal group in Australia continues to be rude to all in Sydney’s capital city and the never ending demand globally is ensuring that growth worldwide continues, they added.
“It’s hard to understand the problems that have needed to be dealt with on the other side of the world”, said Paul Levin, part of the UK and European Operations Team.
“However, our UK businesses operate autonomously and despite challenging conditions, we are delighted to report continuous steady growth.”
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The UK and European Operations Team also revealed that they have got their sights set on some new openings here, with a Brighton opening planned for August followed by expansion into Ireland and the Netherlands.
“On Sunday 13th August our next restaurant will be opening on the promenade in Brighton’s Marina. Our next mission then is to be rude to the whole of Ireland and our ‘Experience’ will be landing in both Northern and the Republic of Ireland during October.
“Karens On Tour continues to visit numerous cities in The UK and we open in The Netherlands this Autumn.
“Our millions of social media followers can rest assured that our mission to serve great food whilst being rude to the whole world ,remains firmly on track”.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
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Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Georgina Pellant -
14th July 2023 
