Manchester's Grafene restaurant to close

Grafene, a fine dining restaurant on Manchester's King Street, is set to close this weekend, less than three years after it launched.

Paul and Kathryn Roden, owners of the four-star Losehill House hotel and its award-winning restaurant the Orangery, made a £1m investment in the 5,750 sq ft venue ahead of its opening in 2016.

Formerly a Brasserie Blanc, the 190-seat restaurant was launched under executive chef Darren Goodwin, serving seasonal British food as well as a five- and seven-course tasting menu. It later won acclaim under head chef Ben Mounsey who joined from Fraiche on the Wirral and left Grafene in November.

But Paul Roden told the Manchester Evening News that "uncertain times and a difficult market" meant it was time to move on.

"If you're at the fine dining end of the market, you're an optional luxury spend. You don't have to go out and enjoy a seven course taster menu to survive," he told the paper.

The site will now be sold to another operator planning a high-end gastropub. The Rodens will remain involved as investors rather than operators.

The Caterer has contacted Grafene for comment.

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