Birmingham restaurant despairs at 'worst night ever' and says 'it's all pointless'

A city centre burger joint says its restaurant was 'dead' yesterday after train strikes and gridlock traffic resulted in no-shows. The Meat Shack on Thorp Street shared a number of disappointed posts on social media after customers failed to turn up for their 'dripping filthy goodness'.

The restaurant, which is just around the corner from the Hippodrome, shared the series of exasperated posts on X saying that things were looking 'double dead this week' due to a combination of 'BBQ weather, train strikes and city centre gridlock' traffic.

The restaurant, which opened in 2017 following five years establishing itself on the Digbeth Dining Club street food scene, has received messages of support from other Birmingham businesses and locals who told potential customers 'use it or lose it'.

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At 9:15pm last night, May 8, the restaurant posted: "Worst night ever in Shack history. I promised myself six years ago when we started this 'pop-up' if we ever get a no show of peeps in a single night I will close the gaff immediately! Two tables saved this tonight. I don't know whether to thank them or get the noose out."

Members of its 8,000-strong following sent messages of support. One follower, @11110110100, said: "...if you book a table at an independent (especially one as fantastic as The Meat Shack) don't no-show, they could have taken another booking or maybe not have turned away a walk-in. The fact they're still going after lockdown is incredible, let's not lose them now!"

James McCreedy wrote: "If you're one of these people that always comment about how it's a shame that independent restaurants are always closing whilst you're tucking into your Wagamama's, etc; please go and visit them before they're gone."

Scott Strange added: "Great place for scran. Forget ya Maccys and Burger Kings and Five Guys . This place does proper burgers. Support your local traders." Brumpic wrote: "This is very uncool. Support ace places like this or we lose them."

Le Petit Bois, a Moseley restaurant that shut down at the end of April, said: "Keep strong guys!" to which The Meat Shack replied: "It's all pointless at the moment mate you know that! Let's just go fishing and enjoy life!" Le Petit Bois responded: "It's not all pointless… you've smashed it the last few years… just try to stay positive."

Today, The Meat Shack says 'we go again from 5pm', asking customers to 'pop in' for dinner. They wrote: "Thank you for all the support guys and RTs. Means the world.

"We aren't the only ones struggling, the whole of Birmingham is ATM! And yes I'm OK. Well I think I am, I'm not sure what is OK anymore x. Hopefully see some of you over the weekend."

The Meat Shack is at 17 Thorp Street, Birmingham, B5 4AT. That's a stone's throw from the Hippodrome Theatre, the National Trust Back To Backs and Chinatown, the bars of Hurst Street, a seven-minute walk from the O2 Academy and a six-minute stroll from New Street Station.

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