The company behind popular roof top restaurant 20 Stories has announced that chef director Aiden Byrne will be stepping down from his position at the popular city centre eatery.
The news comes less than a year after Aiden – who was the youngest ever chef to be awarded a Michelin Star – announced he was leaving acclaimed restaurant Manchester House, after five years as head chef.
Just last month, Manchester House announced it was going into administration alongside Spinningfields venue Artisan following a ‘period of difficult trading’.
20 Stories opened in Spinningfields in March this year. It is said to be having a very successful first year of operation and has been extremely well received by customers and critics alike.
“We are really pleased with what we have created at 20 Stories,” says Des Gunewardena, CEO of D&D London, the company behind the restaurant.
“It got off to the most incredible start and every day goes from strength to strength. Revenues have been way above our expectations.”
“Aiden has obviously played a significant part in the success of 20 Stories and we would like to thank him very much for his contribution. We offer him our very best wishes for the future.”
20 Stories was designed by award-winning architecture company CetraRuddy, featuring a stunning ceiling design of metallic cogs and wheels giving a nod to the history of the city – alongside a roof top terrace with trees and an outdoor lounge bar underneath a canopy of trees and lighting.
The outside dining spaces, fireplaces and the backdrop of Manchester’s stunning skyline have made 20 Stories a front runner on Manchester’s hospitality scene.
The question on everybody’s lips after the closure of Manchester House was, did Aiden Byrne’s departure result in the previously popular restaurant’s untimely end?
But what we all want to know now is – will Aiden Byrne seek to reopen and breathe new life into Manchester House and restore it to its past success?
We have contacted Aiden for comment.