SHUT UP SHOP
Top chef forced to close award-winning Michelin restaurant and launches ‘final goodbye’ party after ‘tough year’
Find out why the restaurant industry is struggling
A TOP chef has been forced to close his award-winning Michelin restaurant - and he announces a "final goodbye" party after a "tough year".
Bradley Monk has been the owner and head chef at One Fish Street in St. Ives, Cornwall for the last five years.
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But last week, the team took to Instagram to announced it was shutting its door for good on January 2.
Bosses at the family business are keen to go out with a bang, encouraging customers from the local area to join them for one last meal - or at the restaurant's one-night-only leaving party.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson also hinted at a new culinary venture.
The message read: "We are sad to announce that we are closing. Our last service will be on the 2nd of January.
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"This has been a difficult decision, and we have had five wonderful years, but it's time to move on.
"We have some plans for the future - which will be revealed in due course - but in the meantime we would just like to thank all our loyal guests for their support over the past five years!
"We have availability over the next couple of weeks, although post Christmas is extremely limited.
"It would be amazing to see as many of you as possible before we close. Thank you!"
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The caption, posted alongside the statement, added: "Unfortunately we have made the difficult decision to close.
Restaurant chain owned by Michelin-starred chef is on brink of collapse 16 years after it first opened
"It’s been a tough year for our industry and, as such, it’s time to move on to something new."
Moving on to happier news, the poster added: "We will also be throwing a NYE/leaving party - more info to follow - and it would be great if you could join us for that also!"
The post was met with a flood of support from locals, with one saying: "That's such sad news. We've had the best food we've ever had at your restaurant - and we've dined with you every year since you opened."
Another gushed: "We've loved every meal with you ever the last five years, where you go we will follow!"
A particularly mournful fan added: "Noooooo!! One of the most memorable meals we've ever had.
"We'll definitely be following your next adventure with interest."
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter.
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches.
Some chains have not survived. Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
And another reminisced on happy memories in restaurant, saying: "Our wedding anniversary won’t be the same without coming to yours."
Meanwhile, many customers appeared to have booked themselves in for one last hurrah at the casual seafood restaurant.
One said: "Always amazing food - thank you Bradley. Looking forward to dining with you one last time before you have a new adventure."
Another echoed: "Thank goodness we are seeing you at the end of the month."
One Fish Street opened in 2019, and moved to its current site this year.
It was formerly named as one of TripAdvisor's Top 10 Date Night restaurants, coming in at seventh place - as well as winning Best Restaurant at the Food Readers Awards in 2023.
It was founded on the premise of casual dining, with "no stuffy white table cloths" and no need to ";whisper", according to its website.
The menu boasts a mixture of comfort foods like homemade pies and luxurious seafood dishes featuring oysters and cuttlefish.
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News of the closure comes after another well-known chef, Michelin-starred Nacho Manzano, announced the closure of three restaurants.
Nacho's Spanish chain Ibérica has been forced to shut its Leeds, Canary Wharf and Marylebone restaurants after the company entered administration earlier this month.
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