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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Public urged to call the police if they see this wanted man
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Police are appealing for the public’s help in tracing a wanted man with links to Macclesfield and Alsager.
Joshua Wyatt, 34, is wanted on recall to prison, and officers are urging anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward.
Wyatt is described as being 183cm (6ft) tall and of medium build, with a bald head and blue eyes.
Police believe he has links to both Macclesfield and Alsager.
Anyone who sees Wyatt or has information about where he may be is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 or report information via the force’s website.
Information should be provided quoting reference number 26000809013.
Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption
Daisy Jackson
Transport for Greater Manchester has announced a shuttle bus scheme to help Manchester United fans get to Old Trafford this week, amid major tram disruption.
Fans won’t be able to use trams to get to the ground as usual, due to huge improvement works which are in place until Monday 2 November.
There’ll be no trams at all on the Altrincham, Trafford Park, and Eccles lines, with Airport and East Didsbury trams only going as far as Firswood.
That means that fans heading to Manchester United’s home game against Bournemouth would have been a little stuck without this newly-announced shuttle bus service.
Frequent dedicated shuttle buses will run running Piccadilly Gardens, Altrincham Interchange and the Trafford Centre, taking fans directly to Old Trafford before the game.
Frequencies range from five to 20 minutes depending on the route and time, with details available online. Return services will be in place after the final whistle.
TfGM staff will be at key stops and interchanges throughout the day to help fans get to the match and provide travel advice.
Huge shuttle bus effort laid on to get Manchester United fans to Old Trafford amid tram disruption. Credit: TfGM
Ian Davies, TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, said: “There is no good time to disrupt passengers to carry out these works, and this is the first time in over a decade that trams won’t serve Old Trafford on a match day, but these works are essential and will enable us to provide a better service in future. I am very sorry to fans who face disruption.
“We’ve put a range of alternative travel options in place, including dedicated shuttle buses, bolstered Bee Network bus services, rail options and ticket acceptance arrangements will help fans get to and from the game.
“Journey options will be different from usual, so we would encourage supporters to plan ahead, check their route and our website before they travel and leave plenty of time to get to and from the stadium.”
TfGM is advising supporters to leave around an hour earlier to help make sure they arrive in time for kick-off.
Georgina Pellant -
7th March 2022 
