Burger chain Almost Famous has said it has no choice but to shut up shop after financial pressures became “stacked against us”.
The restaurant, which has outlets in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, announced the “heart-breaking” sudden closure in a statement from co-founder Beau Myers.
He said the move had come with “tearful eyes” and was due to lingering debts from the coronavirus pandemic, rising costs and fewer people being able to afford eating out.
The American-style burger brand had been a mainstay of the Northern Quarter in Manchester, where it was first established in 2012.
“Ironically, while our venues remain busy and our reviews are glowing, the financial pressures stacked against us have made it impossible to sustain the business- making this scenario even more heart-breaking,” Mr Myers said.
He said the brand had been at the “forefront of the burger and casual dining scene” for the past 13 years.
“We’ve served over a million burgers, hosted countless amazing guests, and had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented and passionate people in hospitality,” he added.
The restaurant has appealed for help from the hospitality industry to find new jobs for its current staff.
Mr Myers said they had “been like family to us” and he was “deeply sorry we couldn’t weather the storm for you”.
He said the brand “holds on to the hope that Almost Famous may return one day in some form”.
