Simon Rimmer, a TV chef who owns a vegetarian restaurant in Manchester, has announced that his eatery will shut down after 33 years of service. Greens, located in Lapwing Lane, Didsbury, has been closed “with immediate effect” due to rising rent and other running costs, according to co-owner Rimmer. The hike in rent has been pegged at around 35%, with the resulting increase in costs making running the restaurant “unviable”. Rimmer credited Greens’ loyal staff, suppliers, customers, and patrons for their support over the past three decades.
Rimmer, who co-hosts the Channel 4 programme Sunday Brunch with Tim Lovejoy, also expressed his gratitude for everyone who helped make the restaurant a success. As of his statement announcing the restaurant’s closure, Simon Rimmer co-owns 14 restaurants in the north-west region of England, as well as one establishment in Dubai. He continued to cook at his various restaurants every week, according to a profile listed on his agent’s website. Rimmer expressed his sadness about the closure of Greens, which he began running in 1990 with Simon Connolly, in a video he posted on Twitter.
The owners of the restaurant’s “sister establishment” in Sale have confirmed on Instagram that their branch remains open for business. Comedians and chefs alike expressed their condolences on social media, with Iain Stirling expressing his love for the place in a tweet. Fans of the restaurant have also shared their fond memories and reactions to Greens’ closure through various social media platforms.
The landlords of the property have not yet commented publicly on the closure. Despite the sad news, Simon Rimmer’s enthusiasm and determination to continue providing customers with satisfied dining experiences in his other restaurants remain strong, according to reports. In the meantime, customers can continue to enjoy the food from his surviving establishments or try his other culinary ventures moving forward
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