Glynn Purnell has announced the shock closure of his high-achieving Birmingham restaurant Purnells – number two in the Harden’s 100 list of Britain’s best restaurants as recently as 2022.
Known as ‘the Yummy Brummie’, Glynn pitched his flagship in the business quarter very much as a culinary expression of his native city. He had given no warning of the closure, making it public only after the final service on Saturday (12 October).
His announcement read: “Purnell’s has been my proudest moment, and I am heartbroken to say that after 17 years we have served our final guest. It fills my heart with pride to say that Purnell’s was a roaring success from day one.
“It won every accolade going, from a Michelin star just a year after opening, to the Craft Guild of Chefs New Restaurant of the Year Award, and the AA Restaurant of the Year Award. Purnell’s has been a place where I have had the privilege of working with some of the greatest talent I’ve ever known, and where I have trained people who are now working in some of the best restaurants in the world, from New York to Australia.
“However, the world doesn’t stand still. Things have moved on, and times have changed. In this current climate, no-one is bulletproof.
“I would like to thank everybody who has worked for me over the years. I have always had a team who are like family to me, who have worked with creativity, passion and enthusiasm to make Purnell’s the success it has been for 17 years.
“I’d also like to thank everybody who has ever eaten here and celebrated life here. I’ve raised a glass with guests who have come through our doors to mark birthdays, graduations, first dates, weddings, anniversaries, and many more life events, and I’m thrilled that they chose Purnell’s for all those occasions.
“Plates by Purnell’s on Edmund Street in Birmingham and The Mount by Glynn Purnell in Henley-in-Arden remain open for business as usual, and I will be devoting my time between these two establishments. I’m excited for the future and the next steps in my journey; this isn’t the last you’ve heard of the Yummy Brummie.
“I’m truly honoured to have played my part in the culinary history of this great city.”
Fellow Birmingham chefs were quick to salute Glynn’s achievements. Aktar Islam of Opheem said: “A terrible loss for Birmingham hospitality family. Glynn and the Purnell’s team were instrumental in changing the world’s opinion of our city’s food scene. But sadly one of many great restaurants that we’ve lost and I fear many more to follow. We need fairer terms,” he added, with reference to his recent call for VAT reform.
Luke Tipping, the chef director at Simpsons in Edgbaston, commented: “Tragic news, when’s it going to end?”
David Taylor, of Grace and Savour at Hampton Manor, said: “Devastating news chef, I owe so much of what I have now because of you and this incredible restaurant you created. Your ambition was to make Birmingham the place people drove to, not past, and you have done that and more.“
Further afield, two other chefs who have closed their restaurants this month – Simon Wood of Wood in Manchester and Michael O’Hare of The Man Behind The Curtain and Psycho Sandbar in Leeds – added their voices. Michael said: “Onwards and upwards mate. You’ve smashed it for years, long may you continue to.”
