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
Police appeal for information after pedestrian killed on Mancunian Way followed earlier welfare concern reports
Emily Sergeant
Police are continuing to appeal for information after a pedestrian was killed on Mancunian Way during the early hours.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the shocking incident occurred at approximately 12:50am on Friday 31 October when it was reported that a Volkswagen Passat had collided with a man in his 20s.
Sadly, the collision was fatal and the pedestrian died at the scene.
The driver of the Volkswagen, a man in his 40s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Following the incident, subsequent police enquiries have established that a call was made to the force shortly after midnight which reported concern for a man walking on the carriageway, and GMP says it believes the man in that report was the man who was involved in the fatal collision.
Officers were sent out as ‘high priority’ to carry out an extensive search of the surrounding area after the report was made, but it was said that they couldn’t locate him.
#UPDATE | Officers are continuing to appeal for information following the fatal collision on Mancunian Way this morning.
We have referred ourselves to the IPOC after reports that the victim was possibly spotted on the carriageway earlier that morning.
— Manchester City Centre Police (GMP) (@GMPCityCentre) October 31, 2025
Due to this earlier report, GMP has confirmed that it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) to look into its response to the search.
The victim’s family is aware, have been updated, and they are being supported by specialist officers at this time.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and are particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have CCTV footage, dashcam, or mobile phone footage from the area in the moments leading up to the incident.
“This is a tragic incident for all involved and we express our deepest condolences to the family of the man who has lost his life, and whom we are doing our utmost to support at this time,” commented Sergeant Andrew Page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of the 31/10/25, or by using the ‘report tool’ or LiveChat function on the GMP website – www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Geograph
News
Stockport paedophile who abused teen girls in early 2000s handed five extra years in prison
Emily Sergeant
A prolific paedophile who ‘groomed, exploited, and coerced’ teenage girls in the early 2000s has had his sentenced extended.
It was reported on back in June that Christopher Oates, from Stockport, was brought to justice after he subjected vulnerable girls to what Greater Manchester Police (GMP) referred to as a ‘campaign’ of violence and sexual abuse 20 years ago.
Oates was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, three counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl aged 13-15 years old, and two counts causing / inciting a child aged 13-17 years to prostitution.
He was originally sentenced to 13 years in prison for all his crimes.
But now, following a successful appeal by GMP, working with the survivors and the Crown Prosecution Service, to take the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence to the Court of Appeal, Oates has now been handed an extra five years in prison.
Paedophile who abused teenage girls twenty years ago has sentenced extended by five years after successful appeal
We’ve worked with the survivors and the CPS to take Christopher Oates’ unduly lenient sentence to the Court of Appeal. pic.twitter.com/4yfgjpWxCN
His sentencing increase comes after the 45-year-old groomed one of the survivors from when she was just 14 years old, by providing her with a false sense of security, paying her compliments, and pretending to be her boyfriend, all before he proceeded to ply her with drugs, gifts, and affection, and using the trust and control he gained to persuade her to start sex work on the streets of Manchester.
When the teenage victim began to doubt his intentions and asked to go home, Oates dragged her down an alleyway, violently attacked her, and threatened her with a gun, stating: ‘You do as I say, you’re mine now,’ commanding her to go to her ‘spot’.
It was this incident that prompted the teenager to confide in her mother and support services, and from here, found the strength to move forward with her life, while still courageously supporting the police investigation.
From this investigation, detectives were then able to identify a second teenage victim, a 17-year-old, who Oates also coerced into sex work.
Speaking on Oates’ sentencing increase, DI Eleanor Humphreys, who was a senior investigating officer for this case, said: “We join both victims in expressing our relief and delight that the Court of Appeal has reviewed Oates’ lenient sentence and increased it by five years.
“Oates will now rightly serve consecutive sentences for both victims, meaning that his time behind bars reflects the totality of his offending against both women – whose lives he has so badly impacted.
“We will not relent in ensuring child sex offenders are brought to justice and face the full consequences for their horrific crimes.”
Daisy Jackson -
10th July 2024 
