Coronation Street icon Jennie McAlpine had fans rushing to support her as she shared some devastating news. The ITV soap star, best known for playing Fiz Dobbs on the cobbles, issued a statement "with a heavy heart" - confirming that her award-winning Manchester restaurant, which she managed away from her acting career, has closed down with immediate effect.
Jennie owns the city centre restaurant Annies, located on Old Bank Street. The gastropub was purchased by Jennie and her partner Chris Farr since 2012, serving everything from Corrie-inspired hot pots to steaks and burgers.
Now, however, the doors have closed for good. The venue has been battling financial trouble for the last few years since the Covid-19 pandemic, with figures from 2022 revealing the business owed £537,000.
The last accounts filed by Fifth Floor Limited - the firm running the restaurant - showed it was £318,000 in debt in 2024.
Jennie posted on Instagram: "It's with a heavy heart that we've had to close the doors to Annies this week. We want to thank the amazing people, staff and customers who've been part of our Annies journey.
"Our whole team will miss all of our wonderful customers, who we have come to call friends. Thank you for the support you've given to us all over these years. With love and thanks, Chris and Jennie."
The restaurant was ranked the sixth best in Manchester on TripAdvisor, and was recognised in the website's Traveller's Choice Awards Best of the Best Restaurants list. It also scooped the People's Choice Award for best tea room at the Manchester Tourism Awards.
Fans rushed to support the actress, with one writing: "So so sorry to hear this Chris & Jennie. It's been a pleasure being your neighbours for so long. You will certainly be missed."
Another echoed: "This is such sad news. We will forever cherish the tea parties and Christmas meals we enjoyed at Annies." While a third penned: "So sad to hear this. My visits to Manchester won't be the same."
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