Despite receiving rave reviews, bosses behind Manchester restaurant The Wild Goose have announced it will close its doors less than a year after opening.
Citing the economic slowdown and rising costs, owners shared the news in an emotive post last night as they thanked everyone that had supported the short-lived venture.
The popular Altrincham restaurant, opened by the same team behind the successful Tre Ciccio restaurants, has received a host of positive reviews for its Anglo-French cuisine.
Image: The Wild Goose
Housed inside the former Francs site, it opened its doors last December with diners praising its Sunday roasts, exceptional wine list, and collection of eclectic, retro and classic dishes, all taken from a by-gone era of gastronomy
But just eight months on from its launch, owners have now said they don’t feel they can continue to run it any longer – explaining that they have struggled to get enough people through the door to turn a profit.
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In a heartbreaking post shared to the restaurant’s social media pages last night, they cited the economic slowdown as a reason for the site’s closure, writing: “It’s with great sadness that we have made the unfortunate decision to cease trading at The Wild Goose.
Image: The WIld Goose
“Whilst the restaurant gained a great reputation with numerous 5-star reviews it has simply become far too difficult to generate sufficient customers numbers to be viable.
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“This coupled with the economic slowdown and rising costs over the past few months prompted our decision to take action.
“This then enables us to take stock of our current situation and consider our next steps with a view that The Wild Goose may well take flight again later in the year.
“Thanks for all that have supported us. Best wishes, The Wild Goose Team x.”
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Since sharing the announcement, comments have flown in thick and fast from fans of the eatery expressing their sadness that the business is shutting its doors.
Image: The Wild Goose
One person wrote: “Absolutely gutted to hear this, what a huge loss to Altrincham. I really hope you manage to reopen later in the year.”
Another said: “This is very sad news. We absolutely loved visiting your restaurant. Amazing food wine and service.”
A third added: “So sorry to hear this guys you were a great addition to Alty.”
A fourth said: “Very sad news – you’re an incredible restaurant. Hope to see you back soon.”
A fifth commented: “Wow that’s such a shame and a loss to Altrincham. Good luck with your next venture.”
Feature image – The Wild Goose
News
Harry Styles announced as latest performer at the 2026 BRIT Awards
Danny Jones
Yes, in what is set to be his Co-op Live debut (yes, the venue he’s literally invested in), Harry Styles has been confirmed as the latest blockbuster performer at this year’s BRITs.
The lineup for the 2026 BRIT Awards was already pretty stacked, but this just takes the cake.
Not long after FINALLY announcing his fourth album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally and releasing the new lead single, ‘Aperture’, the Cheshire-born singer-songwriter is coming to the Co-op Live arena for the very first time as part of the ceremony’s live music lineup.
Absolute scenes. Screaming, crying, throwing up.
we've got news… Harry's coming home 💋🪩@Harry_Styles will be making his live TV performance debut of music from his new album 'Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.' at The BRIT Awards 2026
Watch the performance live Saturday 28th February on ITV1 & ITVX in the UK and on… pic.twitter.com/Aax3lV03xM
The 31-year-old former One Direction member turned solo artist and global megastar recently revealed a raft of live shows this coming May (and there’s been plenty of discussion surrounding ticket prices), but he’s sadly overlooked Manchester for now.
However, anyone who already secured a seat at the first-ever BRITs here in Manchester will no doubt be doing cartwheels now following the announcement.
As if that wasn’t a mega enough name, he will be joining the likes of the wonderful, already award-winning and fellow multi-time nominee, Olivia Dean.
As quite literally two of the biggest musicians on the planet right now, we couldn’t pick a better roster if we dreamed it up ourselves.
Speaking of Ms Dean, she is also one of several acts confirmed to be playing a series of intimate acts across the country – and her’s is right here in Manchester.
You can see the full lineup of gigs HERE – all we’ll say is that there’s some seriously big hitters playing very small capacity venues on this list.
What a great few weeks for music, eh?
Taking place on Sunday, 28 February, public tickets for the show unfortunately sold out some time ago for what will also be his first-ever live musical TV performance.
Perhaps his booking is at least partly why we haven’t got a standalone Harry Styles Manchester gig on the ‘Together, Together’ tour, but we’re still keeping everything crossed that he’ll announce a second leg of shows here in the UK.
You’d think he’d fancy properly headlining the gaff he helped pay for, or maybe a return to the Etihad Stadium across the way, right?
Find the complete shortlist of nominees, as well as the rest of the live music lineup for the 2026 BRITs ceremony here in Manchester, down below; and if you see on screen trying to clutch at Harry’s ankles, we’re sure you’ll understand…
Featured Images — Leticia Moraes (via Flickr)/Press shots (supplied)
News
Tyson Fury has officially revealed his comeback fight after coming out of ‘retirement’ once again
Danny Jones
Tyson Fury has officially announced the opponent for his comeback fight after yet again returning to professional boxing.
Fury supposedly ‘retired’ for seemingly the umpteenth time last January following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk the month prior, and some even believed it might have actually been his final outing.
Nevertheless, ‘The Gypsy King’ said he was coming out of retirement once more earlier this year, and now his next match-up has been confirmed.
Revealing the other contender as Aslanbek Makhmudo, the fight will be aired live on Netflix only.
Tyson Fury is coming home.
TYSON FURY vs. ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV. Saturday April 11 from the United Kingdom — and LIVE only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/ib7KjT3xIt
Partnered exclusively with boxing magazine, Ring, the bout between Fury and Makhmudo is the latest big fight night to be picked up by the streaming giants.
The most recent example was, obviously, Anthony Joshua’s brutal knockout of influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul this past December.
Makhmudo, just a year younger than his opposite number, is a fellow experienced heavyweight based mainly out of Canada with a decent pedigree of his own.
The Russian, simply known as ‘The Lion’, has a record of 21 wins – more than half of those coming by KO.
With that in mind, he presents a potentially exciting prospect for the famous Manchester fighter, who hasn’t won a proper competitive fight since the defence of his WBC belt against Derek Chisora in December 2022.
Similarly, this should at least see two very well-seasoned pros going head to head.
Many fight fans would argue that there haven’t been enough proper big heavyweight dates since Fury vs Usyk, and even then, we are still yet to get a date for the all-but fully confirmed final fight of the trilogy.
Fury himself did state that the conclusion of their clash is scheduled for this April, but nothing official has been set in stone by any promotion or venue and the new date means it’s even less likely to be any time soon; meanwhile, plenty are still hoping for AJ vs Fury.
The 37-year-old will take on Makhmudo on Saturday, 11 April, and you can bet the world will be watching.
Georgina Pellant -
21st July 2022 
