‘We wanted to go here!’ cry devastated locals as popular restaurant chain closes branch doors for the final time

LOCALS have been left devastated after a popular restaurant chain closed their branch for the final time.

The Manchester branch of Karen's Diner - famed for purposely being rude to customers - pulled down the shutters yesterday.

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A spokesperson from the restaurant confirmed the closure and said the chain will be turning its attention to "pop up" events rather than restaurants.

The closure comes just months after the lease for the restaurant, which opened in Prestwich in 2022, was listed on Rightmove prompting questions about its future.

In March the owner of the restaurant insisted the company had "no intention" of closing its Bury New Road branch following the listing.

The team stated at the time: "We are grateful for the opportunity to state that we have no intention of closing our restaurant in Prestwich Manchester. Our original tenancy agreement terminated at the end of last year and was quickly renewed to ensure continuity."

However, it seems that the UK operation now has a new focus - "pop up" events rather than traditional restaurants.

A spokesperson said: “As it stands the initial licence agreement has come to an end and our head office wants the UK operation to concentrate on ‘pop up’ events rather than restaurants. In the current climate reluctantly we can understand their decision.

“When the business opened in Prestwich critics said that is was “far too far out the way” and we want to thank the 100,000 + customers that have proved them wrong.

“The group is undergoing a reconstruction which will see the brand appearing in its pop up form all over Britain.

"Our admin team will ensure that customers with bookings will be informed of next steps."

Punters were shocked at the change and many vented their frustration on social media.

One wrote on Facebook: "What a b*****d, wanted to go here as well."

Another commented: "Good job we went when we did!"

A third wrote: "Still haven't been to one yet they are too far. but I'm desperate to get to one.

"Wish there were more of them."

"Feel bad for staff. Hope they get alternative employment," said a fourth.

Karen's Diner challenges the well-established hospitality notion that the "customer is always right" by offering punters a completely different experience.

The chain, which first opened in Australia in 2021, gives staff the go-ahead to be intentionally rude to their customers.

Restaurant diners can expect waiters to dish out a public shaming, or two, as well as other insults and swear words.

The unusual dining experience was inspired by the popular internet meme of "being a Karen", which refers to people who enjoy taking their anger out on members of retail staff.

While this may sound like a nightmare in the making, the chain's rude staff members are all part of its appeal - with Brits embracing the bizarre experience.

Karen's Diner has several restaurants dotted across the country, including sites in Birmingham, Angel (in London), Sheffield, and Brighton.

Last year, some of Karen Diner's original restaurants in Australia went into liquidation.

Branches in Surfers Paradise, Perth and Melbourne abruptly closed in the summer of 2023.

However, restaurants in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney restaurants remained open.

There's another unique dining experience in the UK too, where meals are made by the "smallest chef in the world".

According to the restaurant's website, Le Petit Chef is "just 6cm tall" and won't grow any taller.

Here are the hidden gem restaurants in London’s Leicester Square that are actually great, including an Italian restaurant loved by a born and bred Italian.

Meanwhile, this noodle restaurant in the UK is almost like visiting Tokyo.

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