Northern Quarter institution TNQ announces sudden closure

Harley Young 2 February 2026

The owners have released a heartbreaking statement this morning

TNQ, a popular independent restaurant which has stood in the Northern Quarter for over 20 years, has made the sad decision to close its doors with immediate effect.

The heartbreaking decision to close was made due to ever-increasing costs. Jobe and Ant, owners of the beloved brand, have released the following statement:

Unfortunately this is a heartbreaking situation where we have to close the doors to TNQ for good after nearly 22 years. We have got through the banking crisis, double dip recessions and Covid but the current climate has made the restaurant no longer a viable business.

Our E-on bills are up to £8000 per month, wage costs have rocketed particularly after the last two budgets, food costs have soared and business rates continue to increase. This has created a perfect storm resulting in the permanent closure of our beloved restaurant.

Last October we borrowed £100k which was personally guaranteed by 2 of the shareholders in order to try and weather the storm and 2 owners stopped being paid salary but unfortunately this wasn’t enough to save our restaurant.

Our amazing team has worked blood sweat and tears over the years, grafted 80 hour weeks busting a gut to deliver our best for our guests. We are incredibly grateful to all our staff for their endeavours, loyalty, commitment and support over the 22 years. We are so sorry to all of them that we can no longer continue. We are committed to paying all our staff every penny they are owed. We are also working with our friends in the industry to find new jobs for everyone where we can. It is a truly gutting and heartbreaking situation. Sorry.

Thank you to all our partners and suppliers over the years, many of whom we have formed great friendships with.

Finally, thank you to all our wonderful guests who have supported us over the years, many of whom we are proud to call our friends. We will be in touch with all our bookings in due course and we can only apologise that we can no longer accommodate you.

Our restaurant has been busy and o;en fully booked but it’s just not enough to be a sustainable business. We are so sorry but this is goodbye from us at TNQ, one of the longest established independent restaurants in our magnificent city.

Thanks E-on and thanks Rachel Reeves. Jobe and Ant Xx

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