‘Final nail in the coffin’ as popular Manchester restaurant announces shock closure after five years

The owner of a popular restaurant in the city centre has issued a desperate plea for help after announcing its shock closure.

Peru Perdu, which is situated within the Whitworth Locke hotel’s Cotton Factory on Princess Street, will permanently close at the start of June after being given notice by the building owners. Run by owner Jennifer Hughes, the venue has become just as known for its quality of food as it has for its strong pink décor.

The South American restaurant, which serves small plates, including sea bass ceviche and Chimmi chicken wings, alongside mains like Argentine Red Prawns, charcoal marinated half chicken, and pastel de papas – a dish comprising sweet potato in a filo pastry, has been running for five years and regarded as one of Manchester’s ‘best kept secrets’ by diners.

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Posting on social media, Jennifer said she had now been asked to vacate the premises, which is situated opposite the Gay Village and the Kampus neighbourhood, with June 6 being their last day in operation at the site. She described the move as the ‘final nail in the coffin’ for the business.

“Our little South American haven has survived many a Covid lockdown, the rising costs of raw materials, heating and power, staff wages increasing, general supplier costs increasing, rent increases and much much more that we can’t disclose just yet,” Jennifer posted on Instagram. “But unfortunately the 30 days notice we were given to vacate has been the final nail in the coffin.

“We would like to thank all of our amazing, hardworking and dedicated staff members as well as our incredibly loyal customers who continued to return. Thanks to our suppliers, our corporate friends, our event agents who always saw value in what we did and every single person who walked through those pink doors in the last 5 years.”

The news was met with disappointment from some of Peru Perdu’s loyal customers. One person replied: “Damn this one really hurts, always one of my favourite places in town.” Another said: “So proud of you and what you have created with Peru Perdu! We had the absolute best time here – the food, service and pink décor are perfection.” Another posted: “My favourite restaurant in Manchester, absolutely gutted.”

One other person said: “I’m devastated!! It’s been one of my favourite things about visiting Manchester.” Another added: “YOU should be so, so proud of our perfect little pink place, @jejehughes. Your team went above and beyond to deliver incredible hospitality to Manchester; despite all the adversities and making PP one of the city’s most loved restaurants.”

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Jennifer said Peru Perdu will close on June 6 with a closing party featuring a live DJ to celebrate the restaurant’s legacy over the years. But she hopes that the party won’t be the end of the restaurant for good – and has launched an appeal to help the venue’s staff.

“We are so grateful to our incredible staff – who have been the constant heartbeat of our pink restaurant,” Jennifer said. “Therefore, we’re asking for one last hand from the supportive community of Manchester’s great hospitality industries.

“So we can serve our team their notice, we would like to hear of any pop-up opportunities who might be in need of some quality steak, ceviche and cocktails. We had been working on some exciting menu developments recently, and we’d love the chance to showcase these dishes.

“We started our journey as a three-month pop-up, but after such a warm and successful beginning, we threw our roots down for five amazing years. It now seems we must come full circle.”

Jennifer has asked any ideas and enquiries on pop-up opportunities to be sent to [email protected], or to send a message to @peruperdu_mcr on Instagram. Tables for Peru Perdu can be booked before it closes online here.