Top Birmingham restaurant Purnell's closes after 17 years as chef says 'no one is bulletproof'

Glynn Purnell says "I am heartbroken" as he announces the closure

A top Birmingham restaurant has closed its doors after 17 years. Purnell's, a Michelin Star restaurant on Cornwall Street, closed for business on Saturday, October 12.

Chef Glynn Purnell, who opened the restaurant in 2007 after training with Gordon Ramsay, Claude Bosi and Gary Rhodes, said that 'things have moved on' and that the pressures faced by the hospitality industry have contributed to the decision. He added that he was 'heartbroken' to be closing the business.

Glynn said: "Purnell's has been my proudest moment, and I am heartbroken to say that after 17 years we have served our final guest. It fills my heart with pride to say that Purnell's was a roaring success from day one.

Read more: I went to Birmingham restaurant for a £10 dish half of people would 'hate' and now I'm begging

Subscribe to our Brum Food Club food and drink newsletter for the latest news from our hospitality scene every Thursday.

"It won every accolade going, from a Michelin star just a year after opening, to the Craft Guild of Chefs New Restaurant of the Year Award, and the AA Restaurant of the Year Award. 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.

"However, the world doesn't stand still. Things have moved on, and times have changed. In this current climate, no-one is bulletproof.

"I would like to thank everybody who has worked for me over the years. I have always had a team who are like family to me, who have worked with creativity, passion and enthusiasm to make Purnell's the success it has been for 17 years.

"I'd also like to thank everybody who has ever eaten here and celebrated life here. 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.

"Plates by Purnell's on Edmund Street in Birmingham and The Mount by Glynn Purnell in Henley-in-Arden remain open for business as usual, and I will be devoting my time between these two establishments. I'm excited for the future and the next steps in my journey; this isn’t the last you've heard of the Yummy Brummie.

"I'm truly honoured to have played my part in the culinary history of this great city."

After the closure of Carter's of Moseley last year, Birmingham now has three Michelin Star restaurants - Opheem, which holds two stars, Adam's and Simpsons, which both hold one.