Marc Wilkinson to close Michelin-starred Fraiche after 18 years

Marc Wilkinson is to close his Michelin-starred restaurant Fraiche in Oxton, Merseyside, after 18 years of trading.

Announcing the news on Facebook, the chef said it was not the end of Fraiche, but "a change in my direction".

All current bookings will be honoured but no more reservations will be released, and the restaurant will close at the end of September.

Wilkinson, who famously runs the kitchen as a one-man brigade, wrote: "The time has now come for me to step away from the restaurant side of Fraiche and give myself some much-needed time and space to explore other projects, ideas and interests, which previously I have been unable to pursue, and finally make the transition from one man and his restaurant to one man and his dog.

"Eighteen years is a long time in one place and the intensity, drive and focus required to keep creating, developing and evolving Fraiche has been exciting but all-consuming, not to mention physically and mentally draining.

"I am immensely proud of everything I have achieved at Fraiche over the years and feel incredibly lucky to have had this opportunity to put Merseyside proudly on the culinary map."

He added that he still planned to use the Fraiche brand name and had "so many ideas and projects" that he hoped to bring to fruition.

The chef encouraged people to follow the restaurant's social media accounts to stay up to date with any new developments.