Private chef to royals & billionaires abruptly SHUTS famed UK restaurant after just 6 months
DEVASTATED diners cried “so sad” as a private chef to royals and billionaires closed down a famed UK restaurant after just six months.
Fans were stunned by the announcement that the Unagi chain would be shuttering one of their popular venues.
Their location on the Salford Quays, in Manchester, informed customers of the move this week.
Bosses told how they’ve made the “tough decision” not to renew their licence on the site.
The post read: “Dear friends, sadly, we must announce that we won’t be extending our stay in Salford Quays and will be closing Unagi Media City with immediate effect.
“It’s been a tough decision but it will enable us to focus on our thriving Unagi’s in Altrincham, Wilmslow, Didsbury and Cheetham Hill and get rolling on some exciting new openings in Manchester later this year.
“We want to thank everyone for all their efforts and incredible service.”
But the owners said they will try to offer staff positions at their other sites.
It comes just six months after they opened the venue, which took over from Lime Bar.
The restaurant, which claimed to be the biggest sushi bar in the north, could seat over 200 guests.
Unagi, which has a host of different sits across the UK, is owned by David and Jo Vanderhook.
The pair also operate the Con Club in Altrincham and the George Charles in West Didsbury.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
Customers were saddened to hear the news, which one dubbing it a “big loss to the neighbourhood”.
Another wrote: “Oh no! Gutted”.
“This is so sad. We love it here and come as much as we can,” agreed a third.
This comes as the creator of a Michelin-backed restaurant has confirmed a devastating closure after 14 years.
Loyal diners were disappointed to hear one of their favourite family-run venues was shutting down forever.
And, just last week The Sun reported a BBC star and Gordon Ramsay protege was compelled to close another venue after “vowing to do it right” this time.
TV chef Mark Sargeant, 51, waved goodbye to The Restaurant MS in Folkestone, Kent, after a string of setbacks.
Elsewhere, yet another BBC star suddenly closed his restaurant after nine months – despite a £400,000 revamp just last year.
Caldesi opened in Belsize, north London last April, serving upmarket Italian food.
But, just months later, bosses confirmed the restaurant’s upcoming closure on Instagram.
Similar scenes unfolded when one chef suddenly shut down two Michelin-hailed restaurants without warning as fans cried “I thought they’d go on forever”.
Meanwhile, The Sun has compiled a full list of celeb TV chefs that shut down Michelin-hailed restaurants last year – including a BBC MasterChef judge.
Why celeb restaurants go bust
By Paul Lochhead - managing director of Drinkstuff
THE recent wave of celebrity chef restaurant closures can indeed be attributed to several factors, with the pandemic being a significant one.
The hospitality industry, particularly high-end restaurants, faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. Restrictions on dining, a shift to takeaways, and the need for social distancing significantly reduced footfall and revenue for these establishments.
However, the impact goes beyond the pandemic. High-end restaurants operate on a model that requires substantial overheads—premium locations, top-quality ingredients, and skilled staff.
With the economic uncertainty and a change in consumer behaviour post-pandemic, there’s been a shift in dining preferences. Many diners are now seeking more casual, value-driven experiences, which puts pressure on the viability of luxury dining.
Moreover, for celebrity chefs, these ventures are often passion projects rather than primary revenue sources.
If a restaurant isn’t performing well, it may not be worth the continued investment, especially when compared to the other income streams they have, such as media appearances, books, and endorsements.