It’s a story that tugs at the very heartstrings of Manchester and the millions of Coronation Street fans who have followed Jennie McAlpine’s every move, both on screen and off. This week, the beloved actress—known to an entire generation as the fiery, big-hearted Fiz Dobbs—has shared news so deeply personal, so quietly devastating, that it has sent shockwaves well beyond the cobbles of Weatherfield and into the very soul of the city she calls home. Jennie McAlpine, the woman whose warmth and wit have made her a household name, has closed the doors of her cherished restaurant, Annies, for the last time.
There is something uniquely British about the way we mourn the passing of a favourite institution, especially one that has woven itself into the fabric of daily life. Annies was never just a restaurant. It was a refuge, a gathering place, a slice of Mancunian magic where the tea was always hot, the welcome always genuine, and the promise of a hearty meal was matched only by the promise of a friendly face. Tucked away on Old Bank Street, just a stone’s throw from the city’s bustling heart, Annies had become a beacon for locals, tourists, and Corrie superfans alike—a place where the lines between celebrity and community blurred, where you might find yourself tucking into a hotpot at the next table to Jennie herself.
But now, after twelve years of laughter, love, and endless cups of tea, the dream has come to an end. The news, delivered by Jennie herself in a heartfelt Instagram post, was as simple as it was shattering: “It’s with a heavy heart that we’ve had to close the doors to Annies this week. We want to thank the amazing people, staff and customers who’ve been part of our Annies journey. Our whole team will miss all of our wonderful customers, who we have come to call friends. Thank you for the support you’ve given to us all over these years. With love and thanks, Chris and Jennie.”
For those who know Jennie, the pain behind those words is all too clear. This was never just a business venture or a celebrity side hustle. Annies was a labour of love, a family affair, a dream she built from the ground up with her partner Chris Farr. Together, they poured their hearts—and no small amount of their own savings—into transforming a city centre property into the kind of place that felt like a second home. From the very first day, it was clear that Annies was special. The menu was a love letter to British comfort food, with nods to Jennie’s Corrie roots—think bubbling Lancashire hotpots, golden pies, and the sort of cakes that would make even Betty Turpin proud.
The accolades soon followed. Annies quickly earned a reputation as one of Manchester’s best-loved eateries, climbing to sixth place on TripAdvisor and scooping up awards left, right and centre. The Traveller’s Choice Awards named it among the Best of the Best, while the Manchester Tourism Awards crowned it the city’s top tea room—a testament to the tireless work of Jennie, Chris, and their devoted team.
But as anyone in the hospitality trade will tell you, success can be a fickle friend. The pandemic hit Manchester’s restaurants with the force of a runaway tram, and Annies was no exception. Forced closures, changing rules, and the ever-present spectre of uncertainty took their toll. The numbers, once so promising, began to slip. By 2022, Annies was facing debts of more than half a million pounds—a staggering sum that would have been unthinkable in the restaurant’s heyday. Even as restrictions eased and customers returned, the damage had been done. The most recent accounts, filed by Fifth Floor Limited, showed the business still £318,000 in the red as of 2024.
For Jennie, the decision to close could not have come lightly. This is a woman who has weathered her share of storms, both on screen and off. As Fiz, she’s survived factory collapses, cheating husbands, and more than one brush with the law. But nothing in Weatherfield could have prepared her for the heartbreak of saying goodbye to Annies. The outpouring of support from fans has been nothing short of remarkable. Social media was flooded within minutes of her announcement, with messages pouring in from all corners of the country. “So so sorry to hear this Chris & Jennie. It’s been a pleasure being your neighbours for so long. You will certainly be missed,” wrote one. Another echoed the sentiment: “This is such sad news. We will forever cherish the tea parties and Christmas meals we enjoyed at Annies.” And a third, speaking for so many, simply said: “So sad to hear this. My visits to Manchester won’t be the same.”
It’s a testament to the impact Annies had—not just as a restaurant, but as a community hub, a place where memories were made and friendships forged. For many, it was the first stop on a trip to Manchester, a chance to soak up the city’s unique blend of grit and glamour, to bask in the glow of Jennie’s hospitality. There are stories, too, of chance encounters—of tourists starstruck to find Fiz herself pouring the tea, of locals who became regulars, of staff who found not just a job but a family.
And yet, beneath the sadness, there is a sense of pride—a recognition that Annies achieved something rare and precious in a world obsessed with the next big thing. It stood as a reminder that, at its best, hospitality is about more than food and drink. It’s about connection, about creating a space where everyone feels welcome, where the cares of the outside world melt away with the first sip of tea.
Jennie’s journey from the cobbles to the kitchen is itself the stuff of soap opera legend. She has spoken often of her love for Manchester, of her desire to give something back to the city that made her a star. Annies was her way of doing just that—a gift to the community, a place where the values of Coronation Street (kindness, resilience, humour in the face of adversity) found new life. And while the doors may now be closed, the legacy of Annies endures—in the memories of those who dined there, in the friendships that blossomed over Sunday roasts and afternoon teas, in the countless small acts of kindness that defined its ethos.
The closure of Annies is, of course, part of a wider story. Across the UK, independent restaurants are fighting for survival, battered by rising costs, staff shortages, and the lingering aftershocks of the pandemic. Jennie’s experience is a stark reminder of just how fragile success can be, how quickly the tides can turn. But it is also a story of hope—a testament to the power of community, to the importance of supporting local businesses, to the enduring appeal of a warm welcome and a well-cooked meal.
For Jennie herself, the future remains unwritten. She will, no doubt, continue to dazzle on Coronation Street, her portrayal of Fiz as vital and beloved as ever. And if her time at Annies has taught her anything, it is that even in the face of disappointment, there is always something to be grateful for. As she wrote in her farewell: “Thank you for the support you’ve given to us all over these years. With love and thanks, Chris and Jennie.”
It is a message that resonates far beyond the walls of a single restaurant, a reminder that, in the end, what matters most is not the bricks and mortar, but the people—the friendships forged, the memories made, the love shared. In closing Annies, Jennie McAlpine has lost a dream, but she has gained something far more precious: the knowledge that she made a difference, that she brought joy and comfort to thousands, that she built something real and lasting in the heart of Manchester.
As the lights go out and the last pot of tea is poured, the city mourns the loss of a favourite haunt. But it also celebrates the woman behind it—a true icon, both on screen and off, whose spirit will live on in the stories told, the memories cherished, and the community she helped to build. Annies may be gone, but Jennie McAlpine’s legacy is just beginning. And somewhere, in a quiet corner of Manchester, the kettle is still on, the welcome still warm, and the spirit of Annies endures.
