Aiden Backs Out of Black Friars

As has been widely rumoured, former Manchester House chef Aiden Byrne has confirmed that he is stepping away from the new Local Blackfriars development, which would have seen him heading the kitchen of the restored Grade II listed Black Friar pub on Trinity Way.

The one time jewel of Living Ventures crown, Manchester House, originally closed down in 2018 after five years of trading, but was saved when Byrne - its original chef - returned just two months after leaving to join 20 Stories; re-opening the multi-million pound Spinningfields office block venue in December 2018 with new backers and revised Michelin Star hopes, under the guise Restaurant MCR.

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With great food but an incredibly poor marketing strategy, the venue predictably failed and closed for good in January 2020. The Liverpudlian celebrity chef also saw investment in his planned Vincent Bar & Grill in Liverpool's Exchange Flags pulled.

When news immediatley emerged of the exciting 20 cover fine-dining restaurant and pub, planned for Salboy's ambitious Black Friar redevelopment, it seemed like great relief for the talented Restaurant MCR team, whom Byrne had promised to try and retain. It is not yet known if the developer's plans for the venue have changed, however Byrne has retreated to his excellent Church Green gastro pub in Lymm, where he aims to focus his sole attention.

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