I'm very proud of what we achieved

TOP CHEF CLOSES RESTAURANT AMID RENT DEMAND, DINER NO-SHOWS AND RISES IN COST OF ENERGY AND INGREDIENTS

- JENNA CAMPBELL

MASTERCHEF winner Simon Wood has closed his Manchester restaurant with immediate effect.

It comes just days after the acclaimed chef hit out at diners not showing up for bookings at WOOD on First Street in the city centre.

In a statement on social media, the chef said he was 'very proud' of what he and his team 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 won MasterChef in 2015, opened his fine-dining restaurant two years later.

He wrote on X: "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."