James Martin's Manchester Restaurant Closes After 14 Years

Saturday Kitchen star James Martin has closed his flagship restaurant in Manchester after 14 years of operation. Manchester235 has ceased trading, and its casino operator, Metropolitan Gaming, has confirmed the end of its partnership with the celebrity chef.

Customers who had bookings at the restaurant are being offered refunds. Metropolitan Gaming stated that any staff impacted by the closure have been retained within the wider business. The casino operator also thanked Martin and his team for their commitment and contribution during the partnership.

The restaurant, which offered a blend of classic British cuisine and a casino experience, had been operating for over a decade. While Manchester235 has closed, Martin continues to own two other restaurants: James Martin at The Lygon Arms in The Cotswolds and The Kitchen at Chewton Glen in Hampshire.

Despite the restaurant closure, Martin's television career remains active. ITV announced last month that his show "Saturday Morning" would be extended into 2027. Additionally, two new series featuring the chef, "James Martin's Italian Adventure" and "James Martin Quick 'N' Easy," have been commissioned.

Martin expressed his enthusiasm for the new television projects, stating, "It's all fantastic news! Saturday Mornings will be continuing in what will be our 10th series of the show on ITV. The shows are an honour and a pleasure to make."

In personal news, Martin recently became engaged to his girlfriend of five years, Kim Johnson. The couple's engagement reportedly took place in January, with Johnson sharing her pride on Instagram. The proposal marked a change for Martin, who had previously expressed no desire to marry.