The Manchester restaurant used to film hit Channel 4 show First Dates has closed permanently due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Refinery, found in the trendy Spinningfields district, had acted as the backdrop for First Dates since last year, when production moved up north as part of Channel 4’s commitment to UK wide programming. The show was previously filmed at Paternoster Chophouse in London’s St Paul’s, which is part of the D&D Restaurant Group.
The news of the site’s closure comes after owners Drake & Morgan announced they planned to enter into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA), in which three of their 22 locations would be permanently closed. The Refinery, which originally opened in 2017, was among three restaurants being considered for closure.
Other Drake & Morgan sites that could close under the proposals include The Allegory and The Listing bars, both of which are in London.
Speaking about the plans, Drake & Morgan’s founder and chief executive Jillian MacLean said: "We started last year as a profitable and growing business and, in common with the rest of the hospitality industry, have been significantly affected by repeated lockdowns and tier restrictions.”
“This course of action, if approved, will safeguard the future of the group and give it the breathing space it needs to recover. We would like to thank all our stakeholders for their support during this challenging period."
The closure of The Refinery is the second high-profile loss to Spinningfields restaurant scene in recent times, with popular Spanish restaurant Iberica waving goodbye to the area in October 2020.
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