James Martin closes his Manchester235 restaurant after 14 years as customers are offered refunds

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026.

Saturday Kitchen's James Martin has shut his flagship Manchester235 restaurant after a 14-year partnership with casino operator Metropolitan Gaming, which confirmed the collaboration has ended. Customers with cancelled bookings are being contacted and refunded, while gift-card balances will also be honoured. Metropolitan Gaming confirmed all affected staff have been retained elsewhere in the business.

Metropolitan Gaming thanked Martin, 54, for his 'commitment, professionalism and contribution' throughout the partnership.

Martin still owns two restaurants — James Martin at The Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds and The Kitchen at Chewton Glen in Hampshire.

ITV has commissioned two new shows and extended his Saturday Morning programme into 2027 for a tenth series, with Martin calling it 'fantastic news'.