A former Premier League winner has had to close his restaurant after the business was unable to agree a successful lease renewal.
He is one of several former Premier League stars who have ventured into the culinary industry since hanging up their boots.
Sometimes it can pay dividends. On other occasions it can fail to work, with one former professional having now had two restaurant businesses collapse on him.
According to The Sun, the Premier League star's Manchester restaurant, had racked up debts of around £1.1million.
That has left former Leicester City star Danny Drinkwater having to announce on Instagram the closure of his restaurant, Firefly.
The 34-year-old, who made 104 Premier League appearances for Leicester, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Burnley, announced the news on Friday.
The former Premier League winner, who owns a 70 per cent stake in the restaurant, posted a statement on Instagram, that read: 'It's with a heavy heart that Firefly Manchester will close its doors at One New Bailey after unsuccessful lease renewal negotiations with the landlord.
'We have explored various alternatives and potential relocation options but unfortunately, none were viable within the given timeframe.
'We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our dedicated staff and loyal customers for their unwavering support over the years and for making Firefly such a prominent part of the Manchester nightlife scene.
'We are now working closely with other operators to rehome the team,' he added.
It is not the first time Drinkwater, who helped guide Leicester to their fairytale Premier League title victory in 2016, has had to close one of his restaurants.
Drinkwater, who was released in 2022 by Chelsea before retiring in 2023, had opened the Manchester eatery FoodWell in 2018. But the restaurant went bust in 2022, having amassed £2m in debts while losing nearly £782,000 himself on the business.
Drinkwater said: 'Was great whilst it lasted. Thanks, everyone.'
The midfielder, a Manchester United academy graduate, joined Leicester in 2012, helping the club win the Championship in 2014.
He'd go on to join Chelsea in 2017 and would enjoy loan spells with Burnley and Aston Villa, while winning the FA Cup with the Blues in 2018.
He is not the only former pro to be forced to shut down his restaurant, with Emile Heskey also recently closing his Manchester restaurant Parea after it had been wound up by the courts after amassing £163,000 in debts.
deualmoyz
0
Once a flop, always a flop! Sorry Danny, but I couldn't help noticing the trend.
That’s not nice .
Tubaisuy
0
Learn from lukas podolski
bazbdimpu
1
Once a flop, always a flop! Sorry Danny, but I couldn't help noticing the trend.
Saeciprsyz
0
Come to Nigeria and open sachet water aka Pure Water business. you will make it big time. you have nothing to do with food business. your name is not Eatfood
Akildycee
1
No need tell your customer hey take drink water, just say to them use my name after eating finish
ManCityFanForever
0
real Madrid have a debt but it's still running Barcelona have chelsea have
Company debt and Restaurant or normal business debt are different.
Manchester_is_blue
0
perhaps he should sell water instead💀💀
Kambinoprs
3
It's very hard and expensive to venture into any business in UK and expect to make profits cause their tax is too much
zebedeezebz
0
How do you lose so much before realizing your business is not working?
real Madrid have a debt but it's still running Barcelona have chelsea have
Yorokiri
2
times are funny, people are not eating outside anymore... it's well bro, just Drinkwater and chill. God's got you...
Keerzerg
1
How do you lose so much before realizing your business is not working?
ciupruyz
2
So sad I pray things work out for soon so you can venture into other avenues so you help reduce unemployment and also put smiles on others face
tupacimoyz
6
he should open an Indian restaurant instead