A Michelin Star restaurant, Purnell’s, in Birmingham, has permanently closed its doors after 17 years of operation, leaving its owner heartbroken. Chef Glynn Purnell, who founded the restaurant in 2007 after training with culinary icons like Gordon Ramsay and Gary Rhodes, made the difficult decision to close citing challenges faced by the hospitality industry in the current times. Purnell’s served its final guests on Saturday, October 12, marking the end of an era for the esteemed establishment.
Expressing his sadness over the closure, Glynn Purnell reflected on the success of Purnell’s, which garnered numerous accolades including a Michelin star within a year of opening, the Craft Guild of Chefs New Restaurant of the Year Award, and the AA Restaurant of the Year Award. Purnell acknowledged the hard work and dedication of his team, attributing the restaurant’s success to their creativity, passion, and enthusiasm throughout the years.
In a statement to Birmingham Live, Glynn Purnell recognised the evolving landscape of the industry, noting that no one is immune to the challenges presented by the shifting times. While bidding farewell to Purnell’s, he expressed gratitude towards both his staff and patrons, reminiscing about the special moments shared within the restaurant, from birthdays and weddings to anniversaries and other life events.
Although Purnell’s has closed, Plates by Purnell’s on Edmund Street in Birmingham and The Mount by Glynn Purnell in Henley-in-Arden will continue to operate as usual. Glynn Purnell assured patrons that he will split his time between these establishments and shared his excitement for the future, hinting at forthcoming ventures in his culinary journey.
With Purnell’s closure, Birmingham now has three Michelin Star restaurants remaining – Opheem with two stars, and Adam’s and Simpsons each holding one star. The closure of Purnell’s follows the shuttering of Carter’s of Moseley last year, marking a significant shift in Birmingham’s culinary landscape. The Yummy Brummie, as Glynn Purnell is affectionately known, expressed his honour at having been a part of the city’s culinary history, leaving a lasting legacy despite the closure of his flagship restaurant.