Simon Wood closes Wood Manchester

Simon Wood has closed his restaurant Wood Manchester after seven years of trading.

Wood, who won the 2015 series of MasterChef, announced the news in a post on social media today (2 October).

He wrote: “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.”

Wood has been an outspoken advocate for the hospitality industry over the years and a regular promoter of Manchester’s dining scene.

He previously worked in data management before opening Wood in 2017.