Another Manchester restaurant closes as spending crisis shows no sign of easing

Manchester is to lose yet another high-profile restaurant with the crisis on the high street showing no sign of coming to end any time soon.

The Grill on the Alley is to close with immediate effect as part of company voluntary arrangement organised by its owners.

The restaurant, which is just off Deansgate, is the latest in a series of venues to close its doors in the run up to the all-important Christmas period.

It has not been made clear how many people will lose their jobs as a result of the closure.

High profile casualties in recent weeks have included Manchester House, The Artsian, The Rabbit and most recently the MAD Group which ran a string of bars and restaurants across the city.

Around 120 lost their jobs when the MAD Group went into liquidation last week.

The owner of the Grill on the Alley – Blackhouse Restaurants Limited – confirmed this morning it is seeking a company voluntary arrangement with its creditors.

The Blackhouse Group was set up by Living Ventures – the firm behind Manchester House and The Artisan.

A statement said: “As part of this process we are closing our London restaurant, Grill on the Market, with immediate effect.

“We are also proposing to close one of our Manchester restaurants, Grill on the Alley, following consultation with staff and ahead of the building’s planned redevelopment by the landlord next year.

“Any customers with reservations in Grill on the Alley who may be affected will be contacted and offered a transfer to our other Manchester restaurant, Grill on New York Street.

“It is our intention to refund any customer deposits paid in advance for bookings at the two restaurants affected by these plans.

“We are confident that our creditors will support our proposals and following this process we will be in a position to make a success of a smaller but high-quality portfolio.”

The company also operates restaurants in Leeds and Glasgow.