Former Greens restaurant site future revealed - with popular tapas bar moving in

The brothers behind popular Porta Tapas bars have taken over the former Greens restaurant site in West Didsbury. Vegetarian restaurant Greens had been a mainstay of Didsbury life for over 30 years, before celebrity chef Simon Rimmer announced its shock closure in January.

Since then the site on Lapwing Lane had lain empty. But work had been seen starting on the site in recent days, and now brothers Ben and Joe Wright have confirmed their plans for a new Porta to open there.

And the good news for foodies is they don't have too long to wait for it to open. As the brothers say they are planning to launch the new tapas bar in November.

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They say diners can expect "fresh, vibrant tapas and infamous good vibes" when they open the site. The double fronted site over the road from The Metropolitan pub will be completely refurbished over the next few weeks, they say.

Announcing the news today they said: "Porta is well known for its super-authentic, flavour packed menu (everything is homemade to Joe’s exacting standards) served in a relaxed, totally informal environment. True to the ethos of the tiny Spanish bars that inspired it, Porta is ardently ‘no bookings’, but with an ice-cold sherry in hand, the occasional short queue is all part of the experience!"

The restaurateur brothers opened the first Porta in Chester in 2012, before launching in Altrincham in 2016 and Chapel Street, Salford in 2018.

As at the other locations, the menu will be a tour of Spanish tapas classics - all home made - and daily specials. The brothers say Porta's ethos is to import some of the finest produce from across Spain for their dishes.

Ben said: "We’d had our eyes open for another site for a while but really struggled to find the right thing. Then, just when we weren’t looking, this amazing spot came along.

"We love the sense of community here and of course the lovely building. We can’t wait to get to know everyone."

Joe added: "It’s an amazing building, and its history is fascinating. We’ve visited Greens a few times over the years and are big fans of what the two Simon’s have achieved. The pressure is on us to do it justice!”

Ben and Joe opened their first restaurant, ‘Joseph Benjamin’ in Chester in 2006, and Porta was to follow next door opened in 2012. Joseph Benjamin was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 12 consecutive years before it was closed to make way for an expanded Porta Tapas Bar.

Sunday Brunch host Simon announced the "heartbreaking" closure of Greens in an emotional video post to his followers on social media in January explaining how a huge rent hike, and rising energy bills, made keeping the Didsbury restaurant impossible.

He said at the time: "Well this is a very sad day. After 33 years of running Greens in Didsbury we've unfortunately had to close the door.

"Our landlords have increased the rent in the region of 35%, the cost of raw materials, the cost of heat, light and power, employing people and general food costs have meant the business has unfortunately become unviable so with immediate effect we have shut the door."

He had encouraged fans of the restaurant to support its sister venue in Sale. But last month there was more sad news from the owners who announced that the Stanley Square site was also to be closed with immediate effect.