Saturday Kitchen star James Martin's flagship restaurant in Manchester closes after 14 years

Published: 09:54 EDT, 2 October 2026 | Updated: 10:08 EDT, 2 October 2026 Saturday Kitchen star James Martin has closed his flagship restaurant in Manchester after 14 years.Manchester235 has now ceased trading, with casino operator Metropolitan Gaming confirming the partnership with the TV chef had come to an end.Customers are being offered refunds after the eatery closed its doors, after over a decade offering a mixture of classic British cooking with the glitz and glamour of a casino. In a statement, Metropolitan Gaming thanked James, 54, and his team for their 'commitment, professionalism and contribution' during their partnership.They said that any staff impacted by the closure had been 'retained within the wider business', while customers with cancelled bookings would be contacted and outstanding gift-card balances refunded.Despite the closure, James' on-screen success shows no signs of slowing down, as last month ITV announced his Saturday Morning show would be extended into 2027. Saturday Kitchen star James Martin has closed his flagship restaurant in Manchester after 14 years, with any customers with bookings set to be refundedThe channel have also commissioned two new shows featuring the star, James Martin's Italian Adventure and James Martin Quick 'N' Easy.James said: '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. Quick N' Easy, a new format show for ITV was such fun to make and I hope the viewers love the new show.'My new Italian Adventure offers up some real hidden gems of a fabulous country. 'I also want to thank the ITV viewers so much for all their support over the years and can't wait to see our new shows airing in the coming year ahead.'James still owns two restaurants, James Martin at The Lygon Arms in The Cotswolds and The Kitchen at Chewton Glen in Hampshire.The ITV star got engaged to his girlfriend of five years Kim Johnson earlier this year.According to The Sun, Kim took to Instagram with a snap of one of James's dishes alongside the caption: 'So proud of my fiancé'. Manchester235 (pictured) has now ceased trading with casino operator Metropolitan Gaming confirming the partnership with the TV chef had come to an endThe chef was said to have popped the question in January before gifting his bride-to-be a £150,000 Land Rover, which was said to have been an engagement present.The proposal marks a sharp U-turn for James, after he previously insisted he had no desire to ever tie the knot.James and Kim's romance was first revealed when they were spotted shopping for jewellery at Tiffany's in Mayfair back in April 2024, before she moved into his country home in Hampshire.James's engagement to Kim comes exactly two years after James's split from long-term girlfriend Louise Davies after 12 years together.