'It's the end': Another Manchester restaurant closes after eight years

"It seems you can't open social media at the moment without reading about another hospitality business closing down."

The owners behind a popular Manchester restaurant have said 'it's the end' as the close their business after eight years of trading. Herbivorous, a vegan street food business which has become a firm fixture of the city's street food scene, announced the news on social media last night (April 2).

Though it has become a mainstay of the city's plant-based food scene, and even boasts a restaurant in Withington, owners said it had become 'really difficult to maintain a thriving business' as they cited challenges such as the pandemic, wider competition and the closure of Hatch food and drink village on Oxford Road.

Owners Robyn Marsh and Damian Myles first started by popping up at festivals and venues including Ancoats General Store, Stretford Foodhall and their first base at Hatch. Their south Manchester site on Wilmslow Road has been selling vegan street food since 2021.

The concept uses vegan protein seitan in recreating 'dirty fries' and other 'fast food'-style dishes inspired by their travels across North America. Almost everything on the menu was created in house from scratch, including mock-meat products, sauces like vegan mayonnaise, and homemade desserts.

But in a post shared on Instagram, titled 'it's the end', the pair wrote: "Hey Herbi fans, it's a long one so stay with me.

"It seems you can't open social media at the moment without reading about another hospitality business closing down.

"Throughout the 8 years Herbivorous we've come up against many challenges from Covid 5 years ago to watching all the big vegan brands from London and beyond come to Manchester and largely disappear again to the closure of Hatch our busiest site, but with continually increasing costs its becoming really difficult to maintain a thriving business.

"We've had a lot of big changes in our personal life over recent months including growing our family and a bereavement and it feels like the right time to bring Herbivorous to an end.

"We are so incredibly proud of how far we've come from spending long days slinging out duck wraps from our green vintage horsebox at festivals to three Herbi location across the North of England. And with that we've also met so many fantastic people.

"Whether you worked for us at a few festivals over summer or for years at our restaurant we just wanted to say a massive thank you! The memories will stay with us forever.

"And of course how can we not mention our fabulous customers! Thank you all so much for choosing Herbivorous over the years.

"Those of your who had our food at festivals and then found us at one of our permanent locations, those of you who came back week after week to Hatch, Spark, Withington and beyond.

"Those of you who made meal kits and takeaways for the Stratford Food Hall during Covid. Thank you."

Hundreds took to the comment section to express their sadness at the decision but also to thank Robyn and Damian.

Popular food blogger Zack Hipps wrote: "Heart goes out to you! No one will match your seitan chicken."

Burger business What's Your Beef added: "Sorry to see this guys! Blunt reality of the food sector atm! Keep moving!"

Meanwhile, its customers wrote: "I am so incredibly sad to hear this. I've been a loyal Herbi fan for years now. Will miss you so much."

Another added: "Thank you for making the work bearable during Covid! Wishing your beautiful family all the best guys."

And Wawin Vegan Chinese wrote: "So gutted to read this guys. It's been very tough and we are also feeling the pinch at the moment. It seems the cost to run a business is always increasing but revenue doesn't.

"Wish you guys all the best in your future ventures."

Confirming the plans for winding down the business, the pair explained at the end of the post that the Sheffield Kommune site Is currently closed for refurbishment so they wouldn't be returning, while there last day at Spark York would be Saturday, 19 April.

Their Manchester branch in Withington will close on Friday, 25 April.