The financial pressures on businesses are simply no longer viable

NIGHT TIME ECONOMY ADVISER IN PLEA FOR GOVERNMENT TO HELP PREVENT CLOSURES

- JENNA CAMPBELL

SACHA Lord has issued a stark warning following a number of high-profile restaurant closures over the past week, including Manchester institution Greens.

The Warehouse Project and Parklife boss wrote that he was 'saddened' by the number of hospitality closures and said the mounting financial pressures on small business were 'no longer viable'.

Mr Lord, who is also the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, issued the response following a difficult start to the year for hospitality businesses.

On Tuesday, Greens, a much-loved vegetarian restaurant in West Didsbury run by TV chef Simon Rimmer, closed its doors after 33 years in business - citing a huge rent increase and increasing costs as the catalysts.

On Twitter, Sacha said it was 'heartbreaking' that chefs at the top of their game had to shutter their restaurants, adding he believed this to be just 'the tip of the iceberg'.

He said: "I am saddened to hear of the string of restaurant closures across the UK this week including Simon Rimmer's restaurant Greens here in Didsbury, Greater Manchester.