Gary Neville, the former England and Manchester United defender, has been hit with news that his Michelin-starred restaurant, The Man Behind the Curtain, has gone into liquidation with significant debts. The upscale restaurant, based in Leeds and co-owned by Neville and Masterchef star Michael O’Hare, opened its doors in 2014 and quickly gained critical acclaim by earning a Michelin star in 2015 along with three AA Rosettes. However, the establishment faced financial difficulties and eventually closed its doors last year.
Recent documents filed with Companies House revealed that The Man Behind The Curtain restaurant had accumulated debts totaling nearly £1 million. The largest creditor listed was HMRC, to which the business owed £519,000. Furthermore, Neville’s company, Relentless Leisure, was also significantly affected, being owed £366,848. The filings indicated that Neville’s directorship ended on September 24, and the accounts for 2023 are overdue. Even with the previous year’s accounts showing a profit of £187,000, the financial challenges proved insurmountable for the high-end eatery.
Neville shared a fascinating insight into his involvement with the restaurant in a LinkedIn post earlier this year. He described an unconventional business deal where he became co-owner of The Man Behind The Curtain after a unique billing experience. Following the closure of the Michelin-starred restaurant, O’Hare planned to launch a new dining concept called Psycho Sandbar, aiming to offer a more accessible fine-dining experience in Leeds.
Reflecting on his partnership with O’Hare, Neville commended the chef’s courage in transitioning from the renowned Michelin-starred establishment to the innovative Psycho Sandbar. Despite the challenges faced by The Man Behind The Curtain, Neville praised the new venture for its outstanding culinary experience and recommended it to others. The football pundit’s foray into the hospitality industry serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of business ventures, even in the prestigious world of fine dining.
The closure of The Man Behind The Curtain marks a significant chapter in Gary Neville’s entrepreneurial journey and highlights the complexities of running a high-end restaurant in a competitive industry. As the former football star navigates the aftermath of his restaurant’s liquidation, the lessons learned from this experience are likely to shape his future ventures in the culinary and hospitality sector.