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The owners of much-loved Manchester eatery The Hip Hop Chip Shop are closing the business after more than a decade in operation, blaming the soaring costs that are hurting so many in the hospitality sector. The venue, based on Blossom Street in Ancoats, will cease operations next month, joining the growing number of independent businesses forced to shut down.

The Hip Hop Chip Shop, led by Jonathan 'Ozzie' Oswald, Luke Stocks, and Holly Oswald, began as a mobile van concept and has received numerous accolades, including being named runner-up for Best Cafe at the English Chippy Awards 2024. After years on the road, they opened their Ancoats store in 2018, with outlets at the Etihad campus, a residency at the Carlton Club in Whalley Range, and a kitchen within New Century.

American TV star Adam Richman praised the chippy last year during his visit while filming an episode of Adam Richman Eats Britain. The Hip Hop Chip Shop announced on Instagram that it was closing onMarch 2, citing rising energy costs, VAT bills, Brexit-induced cost increases, and pandemic-related challenges as reasons for the business becoming 'unviable in its current form'.

The post said: "After 11 years, we're unfortunately joining the chorus of independent businesses in Manchester and beyond, calling it a day.

"Although Ancoats was an amazing area for us to embark on our bricks and mortar dream, the cost increases from Brexit, Covid, Energy, VAT (halving it would save a lot in the industry), BB Loans etc has meant it's unviable in its current form - we would've had to increase prices much more than we'd be comfortable with to get the margins we need to keep going."

"It's an extremely tough decision given it's 15 years since the idea was born in my early 20s – then 3 mates whilst working other jobs began building it from scratch every weekend, to then quitting our jobs and taking a leap of full-time faith. Ultimately, we need to listen to the head, not the heart.

"We wanted to give enough notice to support our amazing team in finding new jobs, making sure all our suppliers are paid up and provide our supportive customers with the last chance to eat/drink/party with us."

Diners and business owners locally were saddened by the news, reports . One visitor said: "Stunned and absolutely gutted. I just popped in for a drink this evening and had no idea. It's been an incredible space for the Hip-Hop community, and we've all seen how hard you've worked to keep it going."