Much-loved Northern Quarter restaurant V Rev has announced its sudden closure - just days after announcing reduced opening hours in a bid to make the venue work financially. Bosses made the shock announcement on Sunday that "today will be our last day open".
Only a fortnight ago bosses at the vegan restaurant had announced they would have to reduce opening hours in a bid to tackle "soaring costs". But the Edge Street restaurant will now serve up to customers for the final time on Sunday afternoon.
Posting on Instagram, the restaurant issued a lengthy statement saying that the issue was "now out of our hands and we're absolutely gutted". V Rev had been a popular dining option in Manchester for the past ten years - and is known as a city trailblazer as among the first to serve a 100 per cent vegan menu.
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The full statement on Instagram said: "Unfortunately, today (25/09/22) will be our last day open. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us over the past 10 years.
"The past few years with lockdown and restrictions brought us to a point where we're not able to financially recover and stay operational. Obviously, this isn't how we wanted things to end - this is now out of our hands and we're absolutely gutted.
"We'll continue serving today - we are running out of stock so pop in while you can to say your goodbyes and cry into your loaded fries."
The restaurant, founded by Dominic Moss, is famous for its traditional American-style comfort food including mac and cheese, loaded nachos and fries. It offered animal friendly burgers and hot dogs on its 100 per cent vegan menu.
There was a huge reaction to the announcement posted to its 30,000 followers on the social media platform. It comes amid challenging times across the hospitality industry.
Follower @_glitterbones said: "Absolutely gutted! Best place in Manchester". Fellow vegan restaurant @Mnbvegan said: "Oh my god we're so sorry folks. Proper sad to see you go.
"You guys were one of the first totally vegan places we knew of, and it was so exciting! One of the proper originals, you will be missed."
Foodie @Helensveganlife said: "Oh no! This is absolutely so gutting to hear. You've been a vegan staple in Manchester for so long."
While @pizzac0ne said: "Absolutely devastated, some of the best vegan food I've EVER had. Thank you for paving the way for the vegan takeover. Hoping you come back in the future."
the restaurant first opened on Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter as V Revolution in 2012, but by 2016 it had outgrown its premises and moved to the larger Edge Street site under the new shortened name V-Rev. It went on to be named "Best Vegan Restaurant in the UK" in 2016 and had the tagline "all plants, no pain".
V-Rev owner Dominic Moss had told the MEN earlier this month about making the difficult decision to reduce hours of operation to Thursday to Sunday. He blamed crippling costs and a reduction in lunch-time trade.
He said at the time: "Essentially, any cost you can think of has gone up across food, drink and utilities.
"And post Covid, things have never really gone back to the same place, especially for places that need day trade and open during lunchtime - a lot of people haven’t come back to the office, they’re just not there for lunchtime.
“We used to see a big lunch rush and that's just dropped off, plus the people coming out after work for a bite to eat. And then outside of that, everyone is struggling with personal costs going through the roof and people not having as much money to spend."
He added: "I think hospitality has just taken such a battering over the last few years, and unless you're part of a chain or have really deep pockets , it's just going to get harder and harder."
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