Popular Stretford food hall to shut after 'tortuous' period

Owners of the foodhall in Stretford say the business is unable to continue

A food hall that "never recovered" after the coronavirus pandemic is set to close after a "tortuous few years", its owners have said.

The food hall at the Stretford Mall in Manchester will shut its doors for the final time on 11 February.

Owner Mital Morar said the business - which opened in 2019 - had "no more left in the tank".

Trafford Council and developer Bruntwood said they were "reviewing options" for the site.

"The food hall has been a central part of the Stretford community and it will be missed", the two organisations said in a joint statement.

The closure comes as parts of the ageing precinct on Chester Road are being demolished in a multi-million pound scheme overseen by Bruntwood and the council.

The food hall opened at the Stretford Mall in 2019

Opened by Mr Morar's Store Group, Stretford Foodhall has been home to a variety of food vendors, a coffee shop, and a small store.

Store Group said the pandemic, inflation and energy prices, had driven the decision to close.

The closure did not reflect on the vendors, who have had to endure a "tough ride of uncertainty", they said.

Sacha Lord, night time economy advisor to the GMCA, posted on X that the Food Hall's loss "could have been avoided".

A spokeswoman from Trafford Council and Bruntwood said there would be an update on the future of the site soon.

"We have been working hard to support the Stretford Foodhall team throughout a challenging time for their business, and we are very sad to see the venue close," they added.