Wholesome Junkies, a vegan restaurant in Manchester famed for its plant-based takes on classic junk food, has announced its sad closure.
The restaurant, which is tucked under the arches near Manchester Victoria, had just weeks ago pleaded for ‘understanding and support‘ after taking the tricky decision to overhaul their menu prices.
But a few extra quid on the menu hasn’t been enough to lift Wholesome Junkies out of the economic difficulties many businesses have faced in the last couple of years.
Owner Chelsea Campbell said in a statement this evening that she was ‘heartbroken’ to be announcing the closure, just weeks after sharing her previous, very honest update.
And despite her restaurant reaching such a sad end, she has continued to rally for a ‘change in our economy and in our industry’ for those independent businesses desperately scrambling to make ends meet.
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She said that over the last seven years running the business alone she’s faced ‘challenges and triumphs’ and thanked both her staff and customers for being there through it all.
“We’ve built more than just a business; we’ve built a family,” she added.
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Chelsea also stressed that Wholesome Junkies has been packed every weekend, pointing out that a busy restaurant isn’t enough to cope with the rising costs across the hospitality industry.
Wholesome Junkies will continue to trade at festivals and events despite bowing out of their colourful restaurant on Mirabel Street.
Full statement from Chelsea at Wholesome Junkies
Images shared by Wholesome Junkies as it announced its closure
This is one of the hardest messages I’ve ever had to write. I’m completely heartbroken
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We’ve made the incredibly tough decision to close our restaurant with immediate effect.
Despite being packed every weekend, our costs have skyrocketed, and we can’t keep up with the debt. The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.
I’m holding onto hope for a change in the economy and in our industry, especially for small, independent businesses like ours.
About 1.5 years ago, I hit complete burnout and it took me a long time to recover I’ve learned I need to be kind to myself and those around me.
Thankfully, my passion for cheffing and Wholesome Junkies still burns bright once again.
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Running Wholesome Junkies as a solo woman has been a journey filled with challenges and triumphs for the last 7 years.
It’s my passion, my dream, and it’s been made possible by the most amazing team by my side who have put up with my quirky adhd ways. Their dedication, compassion, laughs, and support have made these two years on Mirabel St and all the adventures prior unforgettable.
We’ve built more than just a business; we’ve built a family.
We’re going back to our roots with events, weddings, popups, and festivals.
This summer is packed and I’m lucky to have most of our incredible staff joining me on this new adventure.
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We’re on the lookout for a new kitchen residency or popup spot. If you want some award winning burgers at your place, slide into our DM’s!
Keep an eye on our socials for updates on where we’ll be popping up next so you can still get your Wholesome Junkies fix. And if you want to stay in the loop, join our email subscription which you can sign up to on our website www.wholesomejunkies.co.uk
To our wonderful customers who’ve all become our friends along the years, thank you. Your support has kept us alive, and I’m forever grateful.
Please be kind and patient, this is still very raw and I’m still trying to process everything.
Much love and gratitude, Chelsea and the WJ Fam
News
Manchester United fans planning another major protest amid more upheaval around the club
Danny Jones
Manchester United supporters look set to stage another high-profile demonstration in protest against the INEOS Sports ownership group.
This is the latest response to the club’s continuing struggles, and not just the first proper organised mobilisation of the year, but the first since the most recent major march last spring.
Following the sacking of ‘manager’ Ruben Amorim, despite co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his board of executives insisting that the Portuguese head coach (that distinction proving to be a crucial detail), the local sporting giants are once again starting from scratch and looking for another replacement boss.
With that in mind, militant fan group The 1958 announced their most recent protest ahead of a home fixture next month in a rather bold fashion…
As announced we protest against this dysfunctional co-ownership before Fulham.
Yep, neither Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, nor any face even remotely associated with Old Trafford/Carrington is safe from an AI parody.
As for The 1958 group’s actual protest plans, speaking via the BBC this week, the supporters’ trust has confirmed that they will be making a vocal statement outside the stadium on Sunday, 1 February.
Travelling Reds already made their thoughts known with a very blunt, provocative and somewhat controversial banner in the away end at Turf Moor for the 2-2 draw against Burnley.
With Man United approaching a third-round FA Cup tie against Brighton and two big games in the form of a Manchester Derby at home and a trip to Arsenal, they have decided to choose the Fulham game at Old Trafford to stage the march.
Despite admitting that the results under Amorim were no way near good enough, they insist that the – most notably the overarching and Glazer family shadow ever looming over the organisation.
Further details around the actual timings and locations are still yet to be shared by the organisers, but you can expect this to be a well-attended, large-scale event.
Often convening at The Tollgate pub near regular matchday tram stop, Trafford Bar, before walking down Talbot Road towards the ground itself, we imagine Reds will then descend upon the Theatre of Dreams in their thousands.
In case you didn’t already surmise from the video itself, Ratcliffe and co. will be no doubt the subject of the usual chants, as well as more banners and flags.
What do you make of the latest plans, Man United fans?
Nothing will ever be quite as bold as the infamous Old Trafford break-in from 2022 (Credit: The Manc)
More Greater Manchester football matches called off as Storm Goretti sets in
Danny Jones
Yet more scheduled football matches in Greater Manchester and the surrounding regions have been postponed and/or cancelled due to Storm Goretti.
The increasingly cold, blustery and icy conditions moving over from France and across more parts of the UK have already caused schools to close, flights to be grounded, and plenty more disruption.
Another such inconvenience has come in the form of live sports, large swathes of which now look like they simply won’t be taking place.
One of the latest to be called off is Salford City‘s upcoming game against Swindon Town in the FA Cup this weekend, with various other games involving teams up and down the footballing pyramid now facing uncertainty over whether their third-round fixtures will go ahead as planned.
Ironically, this is just the tip of the iceberg, if you’ll pardon the very obvious pun.
Another game that was called off late last week, between Chadderton and FC Isle of Man, is yet to be rescheduled; the same is true of Rochdale AFC’s meeting with Brackley Town, Radcliffe v Oxford City, as well as games involving Bury, Stockport Town, Irlam, Cheadle Town, Prestwich Heys and more.
Other nearby outfits, such as Chorley, Warrington Rylands and Ramsbottom United, just to name a few, are also still unsure of when their next game will be.
In many cases, it is simply a matter of the grounds being largely or completely frozen and deemed unfit for use following pitch inspections.
Oldham Athletic – which has already been hit with plenty of snow and frost – yesterday confirmed that their Notts County clash wouldn’t be going ahead due to that very reason.
With winds of up to 90 miles per hour also being reported, yellow and even red weather warnings have been issued across various parts of the country, with people being urged to check their routes home from work by local authorities.
Storm Goretti should start calming down this evening (Fri, 9 January) and into Saturday morning, but the after-effects could still play havoc over the next few days.
For instance, over in Cheshire, Macclesfield FC are going so far as to call on nearby residents to help clear their playing surface from heavy snowfall.
So, if you’re in the area and fancy helping out, they could sure do with your help.
VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
Macclesfield FC are once again requesting the help of the fanbase and the local community to help clear the remainder of the compacted snow from the surrounding areas of the https://t.co/fL99QEEJ4D Stadium.
Daisy Jackson -
10th July 2024 
