Ex-footballer, now-pundit and always fashion icon (sort of) Rio Ferdinand is a multi-talented guy. But did you know that he’s also a restaurant owner? Well, he is – or he was, anyway. Rosso, an Italian restaurant in Manchester that Ferdinand co-owns of, has apparently closed down for good.
Rosso opened back in 2009 and for years it was one of Manchester’s trendiest spots for the rich and famous. The glitzy joint occupies a Grade II-listed bank at 42 Spring Gardens and was reportedly frequented by the Manchester United football team (obvs) and One Direction members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.
The restaurant has long been a bit controversial, with one customer reportedly calling the food ‘appalling’. But now it seems gone for good. Rosso closed yesterday (September 18), with staff being told that it is permanently shut. Signage at the entrance has apparently also been removed.
A Twitter post read: ‘It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our Rosso Restaurant & Bar.’
‘It wasn’t an easy decision to close this wonderful restaurant which has flourished into an icon of the Manchester restaurant and social scene. It feels like the right time to go out at the height of our popularity and look ahead to new horizons.’
Exactly why Rosso has closed, we may never know. In any case, we’re sure Rio will get over the loss. The football-player-to-restauranteur pipeline isn’t a thing for a reason, we guess.
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