One of Preston’s longest-serving independent restaurants could be on borrowed time after being put on the market.
All Hopes No Promises, which moved to St Wilfrid Street in 2024 after previously trading from Miller Arcade as Smashed Preston, was first opened in August 2020 by owner Michael Evans.
Evans, now 39, closed that site and the original All Hopes No Promises cocktail bar on Guildhall Street to open at St Wilfrid Street offering both burgers and cocktails following a protracted and unwelcome run of legal threats from American chain giant Smashburger.
Read more: Craft + Common paint and sip studio announce Preston expansion
Now, All Hopes No Promises in Preston, along with a business of the same name in Lancaster, have been placed on the market as Evans seeks a move abroad.
He told Blog Preston: “I’ve been wanting to do it for ages. It’s no hoax [the business has a long history of April Fools jokes], my kids are grown up and now we’re ready for something new in life.”
Evans has run the business with his partner Allisha, 37, becoming more hands-on over the past few years. They have one child, 17, heading to university next year and another ,15, who is excited for a move abroad.
He said that business has been good and he is committed to keeping both businesses operating until any potential sale goes through. He cites the challenge of overcoming ‘large corporate chains’ who have moved to the city as an achievement that makes him feel proud.
He added: “Preston has picked up well over the past few months and both sites are doing well. But to keep them both would mean not fulfilling what I want to do. We’re looking at the Canary Islands.
“Our plan would be to stick to what we know – burgers and cocktails. I’ve studied burger places doing well even though the weather is hot!”
