MasterChef star shuts restaurant 'with immediate effect' after sweary 'no shows' rant
ok.co.ukMasterChef winner Simon Wood has revealed he's been forced to make the difficult decision to shut down his Manchester eatery WOOD, effective immediately.
In a heartfelt message shared on social platforms today, the 2015 MasterChef champion expressed his pride in all that his team at the upmarket eatery had accomplished, but underscored that financial pressures such as overdue Covid-era rent, surging energy costs, escalating ingredient prices, and mounting business rates compelled the closure.
His announcement arrived hot on the heels of recent frustration he voiced over diners who failed to show up for their reservations.The talented chef, who launched his upscale dining spot on Manchester's First Street in 2017, broke the news to his followers, stating: "Dear Friends, Customers and Suppliers of WOOD Manchester.
It is with much regret that I have to inform you that I must close the doors here at WOOD for good, with immediate effect." Attached to a photo of himself, he continued: "We have had 7 years as part of the Manchester City dining scene and I'm very proud of what the team and I have achieved", reports the Daily Star. "Sadly with COVID rent arrears now being demanded by our landlord and an increasingly difficult marketplace, energy increases, ingredient costs and soon to be spiralling business rates we just cannot make this work. "I'd like to thank everyone for your support and patronage over the years.Thank you, Simon." On Sunday morning he voiced his frustration at poor customer etiquette, revealing a group of diners had failed to show up for their booking and without cancelling ahead of time.
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