A popular award-winning Birmingham restaurant has announced its sudden closure after 17 years.

Purnell’s, which first opened on Cornwall Street in 2007, shut its doors for the final time on Saturday, October 12.

Known for being a leading light in the city’s dining scene, Purnell’s garnered widespread acclaim for its contemporary dishes, being awarded a Michelin Star in 2008, just one year after its opening.

As recently as this year, the fine dining restaurant was shortlisted for the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2024.

Head Chef, Glynn Purnell, who has trained with the likes of Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Claude Bosi, took to social media to announce the shock closure, expressing “deep sadness” and citing a combination of economic pressures and the ongoing challenges faced by the hospitality industry as his reasoning behind the decision.

He said: “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.”