‘We’re sadly saying goodbye’
CROMA Chorlton is closing down later this month after 20 years(Image: CROMA)
The owners of a beloved Italian institution have announced they will sadly be closing down one of their restaurants later this month – marking their third closure in the space of three years.
CROMA opened its first restaurant in 2000 and has become known ever since for its Italian-fusion creations made with specialist ingredients. Its first venue, on Clarence Street in the city centre, closed its doors in 2022 following the on-going impact of the pandemic.
In 2023, bosses then announced they would be closing their Didsbury venue, on Wilmslow Road, after the lease for the restaurant ran out. For the last two years, it meant there were only two remaining CROMA sites left – in Chorlton and in Prestwich.
Today, the team behind the group of restaurants has said that it will now also be closing its Chorlton venue, on Wilbraham Road, later this month. In a statement, bosses said they were sad to close in south Manchester – with its last day to be on July 28.
The Chorlton venue, which first opened in 2005, had also only undergone a revamp two years ago, which included a conservatory extension and an external patio dinning area. Alongside its pizzas, the restaurant’s menu also includes the likes of Tandoori chicken, crab pappardelle, and lasagne, as well as in-house gelato and its popular homemade Tiramisu.
The Chorlton restaurant opened five years after the original city centre venue, which closed three years ago(Image: CROMA)
CROMA bosses said: “After 20 amazing years, we’re sadly saying goodbye. Our beloved Chorlton restaurant will be closing its doors at 10pm on Sunday, 28th July 2025.
“Join us one last time and come down to raise a glass and share a slice of fabulous Pizza as we celebrate two decades of incredible memories with our wonderful community. Let’s make these final weeks unforgettable.”
Bosses were also quick to confirm that the Prestwich restaurant, on Longfield Centre, will remain open and will continue to serve customers seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
The group of restaurants was co-founded by Andrew Bullock and Bob Dunn, after they left the Pizza Express franchise they were running on South King Street to set up on their own, bringing with them many staff who still work for the company today.
Bosses said the remaining CROMA restaurant in Prestwich will remain open as usual(Image: CROMA)
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Following the announcement of the closure of the original city centre venue three years ago, Andrew spoke to the Manchester Evening News about some of the difficulties of being an independent name against popular chains.
He said: “As an independent, we simply don’t have the clout with landlords, or the balance sheet that large companies have.”
Andrew also explained the first closure came about due to the low footfall in the city centre over Christmas 2021, and increasing numbers of office staff working from home due to the pandemic. He said it meant their flagship site had become financially inviable.
CROMA Chorlton (498-500 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 9AP) will close on July 28.