Former Manchester City star launches restaurant venture

Former City star Michael Johnson has launched a fine dining restaurant in Didsbury.

Johnson quit football almost two years ago at just 24 after a series of drink-driving convictions.

Johnson, who is originally from Urmston, has launched his own restaurant venture and is now director of NCompass Taverns Ltd.

Originally, planning proposal for the Didsbury restaurant was refused for the two-storey property on Burton Road at the junction with Nell Lane.

The planning officer considering an appeal later ruled that any noise would not be ‘over and above any levels of noise and disturbance that currently exist’ as the street already has two other restaurants, a cafe and takeaway.

Johnson has appointed Michelin-starred chef Chris Horridge to create the menu and recruit staff.

Mr Johnson told the Manchester Evening News: “I’m just a silent investor. I’m not the only one who’s going to have a stake in it. It’s a few people although my name is on the planning application.

“Certainly, I understand people will be worried but we are not going to be that type of place. We are not a nightclub. We’re doing high quality food - a pleasant place to be in a relaxing environment.

“I don’t want people to worry that there’s going to be any disturbance there because that’s not what we are about.”

He added: “You can have a career in football and life moves on. You have to do something. This opportunity came up in these circumstances.

“It’s a great road in a great area. It wasn’t an opportunity you could pass by really. In football terms, that’s the period in my life that’s been and gone. I’m just moving on with other things.”