Great British Menu star suddenly closes city centre restaurant after just 18 months as chef issues sombre warning
A TRENDY restaurant in the heart of Manchester is closing down just 15 months after first opening its doors to punters.
Medlock Canteen in Deansgate was co-founded by Great British Menu star Sam Grainger and first launched in March last year.
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Its owners announced the sad of social media, saying there were too many factors at play that would allow the restaurant to stay open any longer.
The restaurant was a fusion of a French bistro and American diner that served bottomless coffees and chicken rotisserie among many other delectable items.
"With heavy hearts, we're announcing the closure of Medlock Canteen," the restaurant began in a statement posted to Instagram.
"When we opened our doors 18 months ago, our dream was simple: to build a neighbourhood spot where everyone felt welcome, serving proper good food you know, love and can't wait to eat."
The statement continued: "But the current climate has made that dream a tough one to sustain. Rising costs, increased taxes, and tighter spending have created challenges we've fought hard to overcome but, sadly, they're ones we just can't compete with.
"We're proud to say our amazing team has been looked after, with payroll up to date and everyone offered roles elsewhere in our family of venues.
"If you've got opportunities going, drop us a message - we'd love to pass them on to anyone ready for their next chapter."
The restaurant's three owners concluded: "To everyone who dined, left us a rave review, shared a laugh, or came back for seconds: thank you. You made this little place feel truly special.
"And yes, we promise, one day, somehow, we'll get that rhubarb pie back to you! Chris, Owain and Sam x."
The three restaurateurs then offered anyone left in the lurch without a booking at the sudden closure of Medlock Canteen a 20 percent discount at their other eateries, Madre, Salon and Winsome.
Sam, who hails from Liverpool, first fell in love with food thanks to his West Indian grandfather.
He then travelled around the world to hone his skills as a cook, including a stint in Australia and Asia.
Sam also owns the restaurant Belzan, which is his flagship eatery in Liverpool, a street food Mexican joint called Escape to Freight Island in Manchester and Madre an authentic Mexican taqueria in the Royal Albert Dock.
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