MasterChef winner Simon Wood has revealed he has had no choice but to close his Manchester restaurant Wood with immediate effect.
The fine-dining establishment was previously recommended in the Michelin Guide and was awarded a double rosette from the AA Guide.
The 48-year-old chef said he was forced to shut Wood down due to ‘spiralling business rates’ and rent arrears from Covid.
On Instagram, Simon wrote: ‘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 seven 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.’
His 20.4K followers sent him messages of support, including from MasterChef judge John Torode, who shared: ‘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.’
Sacha Lord commented: ‘A huge huge loss to Manchester. If you can’t make it, God help many others. Thank you for everything you have done behind the scenes for the sector. You and your team will be back, I have no doubt. I’m proud to call you a friend.’
Echoing their sentiment, Sally Ann Matthews added: ‘Oh Simon. I’m so sorry to hear this. What a loss to the city x.’
Wood’s closure comes days after Simon complained on X he had a no-show for a table of five with ‘not even a phone call or a courtesy so I could try and resell the table.’
‘What a way support a small business. Much appreciated,’ he added sarcastically.
Simon competed on MasterChef in 2015, and after winning he became executive chef of the Oldham Event Centre.
Two years later he opened Wood in Manchester and has since launched subsequent offerings in Chester and Cheltenham.
Wood Chester was shut down in 2020, while WoodKraft in Cheltenham, which focuses on breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes, is still open.
Simon has also released the cookbook At Home with Simon Wood – Fine Dining Made Simple and returned to the MasterChef as a guest judge in 2020.
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