Manchester vegan eatery Vertigo has announced this afternoon that it has closed down all of its restaurants for good.
The popular eatery shared on social media that it has been forced to permanently close all of its sites in Manchester, laying the blame at the door of ‘significantly increased costs’ that have made it difficult for the business to continue to operate.
Specifically referring to an increase in utility bills, they said it was with ‘a heavy heart’ they had to announce that ‘Vertigo is no more’.
Image: Vertigo
Bosses added that the pandemic had taken a heavy toll on the business and that trade had still not returned to pre-Covid levels – especially as the business relies so heavily on a weekday office lunch crowd.
Prior to the pandemic, Vertigo had appeared to be going from strength to strength.
ADVERTISEMENT
It had opened its second site on First Street just months after opening its first, after seen huge success with its vegan sandwiches, salads and healthy all-day lunch and evening menu.
Image: Vertigo
Bosses then opened a third site at Media City in August 2020, just as restrictions were being eased following the first Covid wave.
ADVERTISEMENT
The team also took on the Manchester Christmas Markets this year, serving up a host of vegan bratwurst specials from a key position in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens – the home of the 2021 festivities.
And the brand gained national recognition after being named by The Times as one of the ‘Top 30 Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in the UK’.
Unfortunately, though, bosses now say it’s not possible to continue trading.
ADVERTISEMENT
Vertigo was known for its amazing vegan cakes and brownie selection as well as its savoury plant-based treats. / Image: Vertigo
Sharing the news in a post shared to Instagram on Monday afternoon, the team wrote: “It is with a heavy heart we have to announce Vertigo is no more.
“Sadly, we have ceased trading at all of our sites.
“The pandemic really took its toll on us, and trade is still well behind what it was pre-March 2020; and now with significantly increased costs (especially utilities) it is no longer viable for us to operate from our city centre locations which rely heavily on a Monday-Friday office trade.
“We want to thank all of our wonderful customers, suppliers and everyone who has supported us over the past few years. Lots of love, Team Vertigo x”
Feature image – Vertigo
News
Transport Secretary commits to ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The Transport Secretary has signed a ‘transformational’ rail deal for Greater Manchester.
The Government has formally agreed to work with Greater Manchester and Mayor Andy Burnham on plans for a new railway connecting Liverpool and Manchester, via Warrington, as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR).
The new Liverpool-Manchester line is said to underpin the Northern Growth Corridor – which is a bold strategy to drive growth from the Mersey to the Pennines, stretching into Yorkshire, Lancashire, North Wales, and beyond – with a key connection at Manchester Airport.
Local analysis has suggested that the new line could generate around £90 billion in additional revenue by 2040.
Also, as part of the major investment of up to £45 billion – which was announced a couple of weeks back, and is tipped to transform rail travel across the North – the Government has also said it will work with Greater Manchester partners to explore an underground option at Manchester Piccadilly station, recognising its potential as a ‘catalyst for growth’.
Local leaders say they are keen to demonstrate how an underground station could turn Piccadilly into a ‘Kings Cross of the North’.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander met with Mayor Andy Burnham last week to sign the formal agreement.
The agreement recognises the potential for an underground solution at Manchester Piccadilly, while also acknowledging the need for further ‘testing’ to make sure it will deliver value for money, and additionally sets out how the Government will work with Greater Manchester on the wider NPR scheme – which will be delivered in three stages, with the Liverpool-Manchester line to be built in the second phase.
The Transport Secretary has committed to a ‘transformational’ rail deal with Greater Manchester / Credit: TfGM (Supplied)
A formal review of the underground option at Manchester Piccadilly is to be lead by local leaders and senior civil servants.
“I’ve strengthened this Government’s clear and unwavering commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail by signing an agreement with Mayor Burnham on the next steps for transforming connectivity in Greater Manchester,” explained Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander.
“With a new line between Manchester and Liverpool at the heart of our plans, alongside new stations at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport, we will unlock new opportunities, more jobs and more housing for thousands of people.
“By providing early clarity on scope and phasing, we are giving Greater Manchester the certainty it needs to plan ahead and unlock the full economic and social benefits for its people.”
Featured Image – GMCA
News
Police appeal after Manchester city centre shooting sees six arrested and one injured
Emily Sergeant
Police are appealing to the public for information after a shooting in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a disturbance on Richmond Street at around 5am this past Saturday morning (24 January 2026), and upon arriving at the address, discovered that an adult male had an injury to his leg which was consistent with a gunshot wound.
The man, who has not been named, was been taken to hospital with injuries, but they have been described as ‘non-life threatening’ and ‘non-life changing’.
Following the incident, a police investigation was launched straight away.
Six men, all aged between 23 and 26-years-old, have all been arrested on suspicion of affray and firearms offences, and remain in police custody for questioning at this time while investigations are ongoing.
Superintendent Stephen Wiggins, from GMP’s City of Manchester Division, said he understands this will be a ‘concerning incident’ for the whole of Greater Manchester.
“Once the call came in, our officers acted quickly, making to the scene to establish what had unfolded at the address on Richmond Street, detaining six individuals who we believe had been involved, and we managed to recover a firearm at the address.
“I would like to reassure the community that we believe this is a targeted incident, and there is no wider threat to the general public.”
GMP is now appealing to the public for witnesses, or anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation, and is urging them to contact police on 0161 856 4259 or 101, quoting log 600 of 24/01/2026.
You can also report information via LiveChat on the GMP website, or through Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
7th March 2022 
