Almost Famous closing all sites: 'The current economic climate has ...

Pioneering burger restaurant group Almost Famous is closing all its sites - with owner Beau Myers saying the "current economic climate" and "lingering debt" have made it impossible to go on.

Launched originally in 2012 in Manchester's Northern Quarter, Almost Famous became an immediate trailblazer for the "dirty burger" phenomenon, with long lines of eager customers. The Withington location was closed last year, and with today's announcement, the Northern Quarter location along with the Great Northern site will cease operations.

The venues in Liverpool 's Parr Street, and in Leeds city centre, are also set to close.

Mr Myers said: "It is with broken hearts that today, 27th January 2025, we announce the closure of all Almost Famous venues across Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

"The current economic climate has proven too challenging for us to overcome, with lingering debt from Covid and rising costs across every aspect of the business. Despite our best efforts, we are no longer able to continue."

"For over 13 years, we've had the privilege of working alongside some of the most talented and passionate people in hospitality. We will do everything we can to support you during this transition.

"If anyone in the hospitality industry has job opportunities, we kindly ask you to reach out to us at famous.reachout@gmail.com – helping our team find new roles is our top priority right now."

The group recently launched Super Awesome Deluxe in the Northern Quarter and introduced the underground bar Ego Death, both of which will continue to operate, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Almost Famous' original location in High Street oepned in 2012 in what the Manchester Evening News called "a blaze of self-generated hype, with five star reviews, a salacious social media campaign, cheeky marketing and a 'no reservations' policy that meant punters were left queuing out of the door". That restaurant moved around the corner to Edge Street in 2012.

Their expansion included branches in Leeds and Liverpool but last September, the closure of the Withington location hinted at challenges ahead. Mr Myers acknowledged that the site wasn't busy enough and was 'dragging' them down.

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