Glynn Purnell's Michelin-starred Birmingham restaurant closes after 17 years

Purnell’s, which was awarded a Michelin star a year after it opened in 2007, closed its doors for the final time on Saturday

Glynn Purnell has shut his Michelin-starred establishment amid a drop in customers and sales, describing the move as "heartbreaking".

The renowned chef expressed his sadness on Facebook, saying: "Purnell’s has been my proudest moment, and I am heartbroken to say that after 17 years we have served our final guest. Purnell’s has been a place where I have had the privilege of working with some of the greatest talent I’ve ever known, and where I have trained people who are now working in some of the best restaurants in the world, from New York to Australia."

Admitting the challenges of changing times, the chef continued: "However, the world doesn’t stand still. Things have moved on, and times have changed. In this current climate, no-one is bulletproof."

The 49-year-old went on to reminisce about the celebrations that Purnell's hosted: "I’d also like to thank everybody who has ever eaten here and celebrated life here," he said. I’ve raised a glass with guests who have come through our doors to mark birthdays, graduations, first dates, weddings, anniversaries, and many more life events, and I’m thrilled that they chose Purnell’s for all those occasions."

His two other ventures, Plates by Purnell’s and The Mount pub, however, will continue their operations. Speaking to BBC Radio WM on Monday, Mr Purnell, also known as the 'Yummy Brummie', shared his thoughts following the tough decision to shut down his restaurant, Purnell's.

He said: "It was obviously a really difficult decision for me to make. it’s just come to a point where it was just non-sustainable for me to continue. I ran this restaurant for 17 years completely independent – I have never had any sort of big financial backer." Mr Purnell spoke of a downturn in central Birmingham foot traffic, citing long-term changes to parking charges, the introduction of the Clean Air Zone in 2021, and what he describes as "horrific" traffic related to construction as contributing factors.

"This country seems to be penalising itself to try to prove something to the rest of the world," he lamented on the broadcast. Recent demonstrations had also made people feel uneasy, the chef said.

Vowing to spend more time cooking at Plates, which was “ticking over really nice”, Mr Purnell told the station: “I definitely want to go and do something else. "Hopefully there are lots more things in the pipeline. It’s a new chapter. There is still lots to come."