It's the end of the road for WOOD Manchester as Simon announces restaurant closure

In a shock move, Oldham MasterChef winner Simon Wood announced yesterday (Wednesday) that he had closed his Manchester restaurant WOOD with immediate effect.

Simon, from Chadderton, who won the BBC Masterchef title in 2015, said in a statement on social media that he was 'very proud' of what he and his team at WOOD had achieved, but said that Covid rent arrears were being 'demanded' by his landlord.

This, coupled with issues such as energy increases, ingredients cost and 'spiralling' business rates, made it untenable.

Simon, who opened his award-winning fine dining restaurant on Manchester's First Street back in 2017, said on social media site X, formerly Twitter: "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.

"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.

"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."

Later last night, Simon then slammed those who 'stuck the boot in while I'm down' after his initial closure announcement, but vowed to bounce back.

A subsequent X post said: "Thank you to everyone for the messages of support I’ve received today.

"Also, thanks to those who have stuck the boot in while I’m down, either with unnecessary words or deafening silence.

"I may well be down, but I’m not out, and I really do appreciate the motivation."

There has been floods of support for Simon too, including from multitudes of former WOOD diners, Chef John Torode, who has co-hosted BBC’s MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace since 2005, and Sacha Lord, Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser.

Torode posted: "Well you did all you could. You are a brave man.

"Stay strong and so sorry to hear that it’s all to do with landlords.”

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