TWO weeks ago we bemoaned the closure of the city centre champagne bar Epernay. Now comes news that a more recent acquisition by Chris Payne of the VCP Taverns group has also shut up shop – The Parlour in Chorlton.
An update on the bar's Facebook page read: "Good evening everyone, It is with a very heavy heart that we are officially announcing the closure of Parlour. This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, however due to a mixture of rising costs (rent, council tax, import costs that came in at the same time as Brexit, but some seem to think the two aren't connected) and more competition spreading footfall thin we can no longer afford to keep trading.”
This is quite a fall from grace for the quirky Beech Road bar. Only last year it was shortlisted for Pub of the Year in the Manchester Food and Drink Awards and under the previous ownership it gained national recognition for its Sunday roasts. Notably ‘Best Sunday Lunch (Observer Food Monthly Awards, 2012).