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.
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In 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.”
However, there has been no further information from the restaurant about the closure – with local rumours claiming the site has already been taken over.
SUDDEN CLOSURE
Ex-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.
The 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.”
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.
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 DUGOUT
Elsewhere, 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.
Giggs, 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.
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