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    Restaurant owned by Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs suddenly closes down as customers given update on bookings & vouchers

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    A RESTAURANT co-owned by Premier League legend Ryan Giggs which closed down suddenly has given an update.Staff of George’s Dining Room and Bar in Worsley, Manchester, were reportedly told by text they’d been sacked last Friday.Ryan Giggs at George’s with his two fellow co-ownersCredit: MEN MediaGeorge’s Dining Room in Worsley, ManchesterCredit: www.georgesworsley.co.ukThe note left at the restaurant last Friday nightCredit: MEN MediaIn the days since, customers have made a string of complaints in online comments asking what will happen with their gift vouchers purchased.A spokesperson for the restaurant told the Manchester Evening News: “We are currently in the process of refunding all vouchers purchased which haven’t been redeemed. “The majority of these have been refunded and we will be in touch within the coming days with those outstanding.”If you don’t hear from us please get in touch with the restaurant directly.” The contact for the restaurant is being given as the email address info@georgesworsley.co.uk.”READ MORE SPORT NEWSHowever, there has been no further information from the restaurant about the closure – with local rumours claiming the site has already been taken over.SUDDEN CLOSUREEx-Reds midfielder Giggs, 51, opened the venue on Barton Road in 2014 with two old school pals.Signs on the door on January 31 said it was closed for the weekend “due to unforeseen circumstances”.However, texts sent to staff by bosses said the restaurant had closed for good, reported the MEN.Most read in FootballThe messages stated they “regret to announce that with a heavy heart we have no alternative but to close George’s effective immediately”.They added: “This is due to the obvious reduction in trade and business against the huge increases in costs of operating the business and the ongoing cost of living crisis.”Ryan Giggs helps with training session for Salford CityStaff are said to have also been told they will be paid any outstanding wages in “due course”, as well as notice payment, as well as redundancy pay for “those to whom it applies”.One staff member told the news outlet: “It came totally out of the blue, we were all supposed to be working today and then we got the text messages through, we are all stunned.”When George’s opened over a decade ago, Giggs said it had been a lifelong dream of his to own a restaurant alongside childhood friends Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor.He had described it as a “really different offering for the area”, with a launch event attended by former Manchester United teammates Bryan Robson, Nicky Butt, and Gary Neville.In 2015, a new terrace was added to the restaurant.Giggs has also since teamed up with Sky Sports pundit Neville on the GG Hospitality Group, which launched Hotel Football at Old Trafford and the Stock Exchange Hotel in the city centre.The Sun has approached George’s and Giggs’ reps for comment.RETURN TO DUGOUTElsewhere, Giggs has helped to transform Salford City FC after returning to the dugout for the League Two outfit almost three years after stepping down as Wales head coach.He has taken a more hands-on role with the first team in recent months and has been spotted in the dugout alongside manager Karl Robinson during games.The Wales and Manchester United legend is a co-owner of the Ammies alongside his former Red Devils teammates Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and investor David Beckham.Giggs also began working as the club’s director of football last year.However, the former Welsh national team manager now seems to be lending his experience of coaching to the staff at Moor Lane too as he takes up a match day role on the touchline.The star became manager of his country in 2018, before being arrested on assault charges two years later.READ MORE SUN STORIESGiggs, who has always denied any wrongdoing, stepped down from the role in June 2022 ahead of his trial, where a jury failed to reach a verdict.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Giggs in the dugout for Salford City last monthCredit: RexGiggs playing for Manchester United in 1991Credit: GettyGiggs with Manchester United’s Class of 92 who went on to dominate the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs’ restaurant ‘suddenly CLOSES’ as devastated workers ‘told by text they’d been sacked’

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      A RESTAURANT co-owned by Premier League legend Ryan Giggs has closed with “immediate effect”, it is claimed.Staff of George’s Dining Room and Bar in Worsley, Manchester, were reportedly told by text they’d been sacked yesterday.Ryan Giggs at George’s with his two fellow co-ownersCredit: MEN MediaGeorge’s Dining Room in Worsley, ManchesterCredit: www.georgesworsley.co.ukThe note left at the restaurant on Friday nightCredit: MEN MediaThe ex-Reds midfielder, 51, opened the venue on Barton Road in 2014 with two old school pals.Signs on the door on Friday night said it was closed for the weekend “due to unforeseen circumstances”.However, texts sent to staff by bosses said the restaurant has closed for good, reports the Manchester Evening News.The messages reportedly stated they “regret to announce that with a heavy heart we have no alternative but to close George’s effective immediately”.READ MORE ON RYAN GIGGSThey added: “This is due to the obvious reduction in trade and business against the huge increases in costs of operating the business and the ongoing cost of living crisis.”Staff are said to have also been told they will be paid any outstanding wages in “due course”, as well as notice payment, as well as redundancy pay for “those to whom it applies”.One staff member told the news outlet: “It came totally out of the blue, we were all supposed to be working today and then we got the text messages through, we are all stunned.”When George’s opened over a decade ago, Giggs said it had been a lifelong dream of his to own a restaurant alongside childhood friends Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor.Most read in FootballHe had described it as a “really different offering for the area”, with a launch event attended by former Manchester United teammates Bryan Robson, Nicky Butt, and Gary Neville.In 2015, a new terrace was added to the restaurant.Ryan Giggs helps with training session for Salford CityGiggs has also since teamed up with Sky Sports pundit Neville on the GG Hospitality Group, which launched Hotel Football at Old Trafford and the Stock Exchange Hotel in the city centre.The Sun has approached George’s and Giggs’ reps for comment.RETURN TO DUGOUTElsewhere, Giggs has helped to transform Salford City FC after returning to the dugout for the League Two outfit almost three years after stepping down as Wales head coach.He has taken a more hands-on role with the first team in recent months and has been spotted in the dugout alongside manager Karl Robinson during games.The Wales and Manchester United legend is a co-owner of the Ammies alongside his former Red Devils teammates Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and investor David Beckham.Giggs also began working as the club’s director of football last year.However, the former Welsh national team manager now seems to be lending his experience of coaching to the staff at Moor Lane too as he takes up a match day role on the touchline.The star became manager of his country in 2018, before being arrested on assault charges two years later.READ MORE SUN STORIESGiggs, who has always denied any wrongdoing, stepped down from the role in June 2022 ahead of his trial, where a jury failed to reach a verdict.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Giggs in the dugout for Salford City this monthCredit: RexGiggs playing for Manchester United in 1991Credit: GettyGiggs with Manchester United’s Class of 92 who went on to dominate the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More

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      Staff break down in tears as historic race track forced to close after more than 90 years

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      TEARS were shed as hundreds of fans came out to watch the last-ever meet at a famous dog racing track.Crayford Greyhound Stadium closed its doors for the final time in front of a large crowd on Sunday after 90 years of racing.One of London’s oldest greyhound race tracks has shut its doorsCredit: PAStaff members were in floods of tears as the venue closed its doors for the last timeCredit: PAHundreds of fans came out to betCredit: PAThe current Crayford Greyhound Stadium was opened in 1986Credit: PAOwners said it was no longer ‘financially viable’Credit: PACrayford previously had to cancel race meetings due to an ongoing shortage of runnersCredit: PAEntain, which owns brands including Ladbrokes and Coral, declared its intention to close the South East London track in November.They said it was no longer financially viable to continue due to “dwindling support and attendance”.Originally built in 1932 and named the Crayford & Bexleyheath Stadium, Crayford Stadium was sold to Ladbrokes in 1984.After 15 of the ground’s 20 acres were sold to Sainsbury’s, a new venue was built on the remaining five acres which opened in 1986.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEmotional staff could be seen hugging and wiping tears away from their eyes as time was called on the historic venue.Queues of spectators lined up outside before filling the stands and placing bets on the last 12 greyhound races with friends and family.Commentator Robin Carter, the long-time caller, raised his microphone for the final time.He announced: “Away we go for the last race ever at Crayford.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe stadium previously had to cancel race meetings due to an ongoing shortage of runners.But, others working in the industry noted a shift in the “business model” after an increase in streaming and online gambling.Watch bizarre moment loose DOG is chased off pitch moments before kick-off in League One clash Queues of spectators lined up outside before filling the standsCredit: PAStaff members posed for a final picture with the winners on the final nightCredit: PAThe closure leaves Romford as the sole outlet for the sport in Greater London.The current fixture schedule will be fulfilled at tracks in Romford, Hove and Monmore.Ladbroke said the decision to close the venue had “not been taken lightly”.Entain’s communications director Simon Clare added: “We’ve been exploring various avenues to avoid this decision for some time but, ultimately, it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the site.”We will also continue to support all trainers impacted by the decision and hope that many of them will continue to race their dogs at other UK greyhound tracks.”As it stands, there are now only 19 out of the previous 77 venues licensed by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.After attracting huge audiences and royal visitors in the 20th century, most dog racing venues in the capital have closed.The Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium saw its last night of racing after 89 years in 2017 before the site was demolished.READ MORE SUN STORIESBack in 2008, the Walthamstow Stadium in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in East London also closed.It was widely regarded as the leading greyhound racing stadium in Britain following the closure of White City in 1984.A spectator holds a copy of a programme issued at the first racing meet in 1937 at the motorcycle speedway venue Crayford & Bexleyheath StadiumCredit: PAMost greyhound racing venues in the capital have closedCredit: PAEmotional staff could be seen huggingCredit: PAThe closure leaves Romford as the sole outlet for the sport in Greater LondonCredit: PAFans came out to wave goodbye to CrayfordCredit: PA More

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      Inside Gary Neville’s FIVE failed restaurants including joint ventures with Ryan Giggs and ‘space age’ menus

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      GARY NEVILLE’S booming hospitality business empire has hit a rough patch.Not everything has gone to plan for the highly successful Manchester United legend after he was forced to close the doors on a FIFTH restaurant.Gary Neville has been forced to shut his restaurant with £1m debtsThe Man Behind the Curtain first opened in 2014Neville owned half of the Leeds dinerOne of the most unusual looking dishes was a denia red prawn served on a telephone – a play on the ‘Lobster Telephone’ object created by Salvador DaliThe Man Behind the Curtain had a reputation for artistic presentationThis comes after Neville’s Leeds restaurant went into liquidation last month with debts reported at £1million – including £519,000 owed in taxes.The Man Behind the Curtain was launched in 2014 and run by former Masterchef star Micheal O’Hare, with Neville owning half of it via Relentless Leisure.It received a Michelin star in 2015 along with three AA rosettes in 2016.The venue gained a reputation for its extravagant and highly priced dishes including denia red prawn served on a TELEPHONE – a play on Salvador Dali’s ‘Lobster Telephone’. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe filing also shows that Neville’s company Relentless Leisure is owed £366,848 by the restaurant.The accounts for 2023 are overdue but those for 2022 reported a £187,000 profit and reserves at £105,938.The closure of The Man Behind The Curtain isn’t the first time Neville has been forced to walk away from a restaurant.Here we take a look at his four other failed dining concepts…Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Rabbit in the MoonNeville, 49, and former team-mate Ryan Giggs, 50, invested in The Rabbit in the Moon before it ceased in 2017.The Old Trafford duo would link up with O’Hare again after naming him the Creative Director of GG Hospitality in 2016.Bizarre ad sees Man Utd team up with tractor company Yanmar The idea was to run a successful space-age Asian restaurant in Manchester – but it only lasted a year.Diners were treated to fried calf brains, crispy rabbit ears and an octopus hot dog.The fine-dining venue was on the top two floors of Urbis, a six-story building on Exchange Square in Manchester.When O’Hare launched the concept, he hoped it would win the first Michelin star for Manchester in decades.But the bizarre space-themed diner served it’s last meal in 2018 after GG Hospitality announced significant losses to shareholders.The Rabbit in the Moon restaurant in Manchester was closed after two yearsChef Hare came up with the space-age Asian conceptCafé FootballMeanwhile, GG Hospitality endured a miserable 2019 as well after they were forced to close TWO Café Football sites after six years.Opening in 2013, Café Football initially occupied a big, echoey space in the Westfield shopping centre at Stratford in East London.There was a section of Fans’ Favourites including Karren Brady’s Match Day Classic – pie, mash and liquor, chilli vinegar for £13.95 – or Kirsty Gallacher’s Terrace Winter Warmer – chilli with steamed rice and soured cream.And Neville and Giggs decided to open one in Manchester city centre, but that closed in March 2019.The venues were axed after GG Hospitality said: “We have decided to shift our focus to our hotel business.”At the time Neville said: “They were decisions made by me while Ryan has been coaching…but we all learn don’t we?”Gary and former teammate Ryan Giggs shut Café Football in Manchester a week after they axed the diner’s branch in Stratford, East LondonA third branch remains open in Singapore, operating through a different company, but both UK restaurants closed in early 2019.Singaporean businessman Peter Lim is also a shareholder at GG Hospitality and owns the majority stake in Salford City.Class of 92 stars David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane join Neville and Giggs in each owning 10 per cent of the League Two club.Lim also owns Valencia, the team Neville famously and miserably managed for 28 games in 2016.Nevertheless, a smaller version of Café Football has since opened inside Neville’s Hotel Football just metres away from Old Trafford.Valencia owner Peter Lim has been in business with Neville for many yearsThe Stock Market GrillThe swanky Stock Market Grill closed last July – after just four months of operation.It replaced Tom Kerridges’ The Bull & Bear restaurant at Neville’s and Giggs’ Stock Exchange Hotel, also co-owned by hotelier Winston Zahra.The British brasserie was the brainchild of brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, who already operate bars in the city.A statement released by the hotel read: “We have taken the decision to close the doors to Stock Market Grill, as of July 3.”We want to focus on the hotel’s premium cocktail bar, Sterling, in the Vault.”The restaurant will, however, continue to serve breakfast and in-room dining to all overnight guests.”The Stock Market Grill was inside the Stock Exchange Hotel in ManchesterThe hotel is one of Neville’s greatest business achievementsNeville retired from professional football in 2011 and has gone on to build up a £100million empire.He has been listed as a director of 56 businesses on Companies House.While he has interests in media, hotels, pubs, restaurants and education, his most impressive work has been in property development. Among the most high-profile interests are his two hotels, which between them hold £32million in property assets – almost a third of his corporate net wealth.The star owns a 40 per cent share in the Stock Exchange development, which is close to Piccadilly Gardens, in Manchester, alongside Giggs – and he also co-runs the luxurious Hotel Football, which overlooks Old Trafford.Earlier this year he joined Dragon’s Den as an investor, alongside Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davis, and Steven Bartlett.READ MORE SUN STORIESNeville also runs Tiger Sports Management – the residual image rights and sponsorship firm that he set up in 1996 when he was just 21 years old.And he does all of this while presenting and offering commentary for Sky Sports each week.Neville joined the cast of Dragon’s Den earlier this year More

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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘closing in’ on first manager’s job since leaving Man Utd almost three years ago

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is closing in on his first managerial role in nearly three years, according to reports.The United legend hasn’t worked in management since he was sacked as Manchester United boss in November 2021.Solskjaer is close to taking over at BesiktasCredit: GettySolskjaer is now in advanced talks to take over as manager of Besiktas, according to ESPN.The move will see him renew rivalries with the man he replaced at Man Utd, Jose Mourinho, who was announced as Fenerbache boss earlier this week.ESPN report that a deal between Solskjaer and Besiktas is close but details still need to be ironed out between the two parties.The Norwegian led United to consecutive top four finishes in 2020 and 2021.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe 2020-21 season also saw him reach the final of the Europa League, where United were beaten on penalties by Villarreal.He was sacked in his third season in charge after a poor start to the 2021-22 campaign.Besiktas have been without a permanent manager since sacking former Portugal boss Fernando Santos in April.According to ESPN, Solskjaer was first contacted to take over as Santos’ replacement when Santos was still in charge of the club in April.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSolskjaer faces a mammoth task in restoring Besiktas to their former glory, with the club finishing 46 points behind league winners Galatasaray last season.Besiktas last won the Turkish title in 2021.Stunned Roy Keane checks Solskjaer’s drink after he claims former Man Utd star ‘gave 8-10 every time’Speaking on Gary Neville’s Stick to Football podcast in March this year, Solskjaer confirmed he had turned down “a few” roles in management as he bided his time over a return to the game.If the deal goes through as expected, Besiktas will be the fourth club Solskjaer has managed in his career after spells at United, Molde and Cardiff.He spent 11 years as a Man Utd player, scoring 126 goals in 366 games.The former forward won 10 major titles with United, including six Premier Leagues and is best remembered for his winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final.Pundits’ verdict on Ten Hag’s futureWhere do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United future?
      Michael Owen – He has to go
      “He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
      Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
      “If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
      Jamie Carragher – Sacked
      “I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
      Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
      “To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
      Louis Saha – On the fence
      “I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
      Alan Shearer – Sacked
      “I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.” More