Vinopolis to close at the end of 2015
London wine experience Vinopolis will close at the end of this year, with management insisting the move is “the best possible decision for the business and its shareholders.”
Opened in 1999 next to what has since emerged as the major food and drink attraction of Borough Market, the 2.5 acre Vinopolis site offers self-guided wine and spirit tasting experiences, wine-themed dinners, masterclasses, private tastings and event hire.
In 2012 the venue underwent a multi-million pound overhaul, adding a “winery” to its educational zone among other new interactive educational elements.
Announcing the decision to close “despite a year of successful trading,” the company confirmed that all events booked for 2015 will run as normal before the business winds up on 31 December to be replaced by “a high-end retail development.”
“It is naturally a very sad day,” said Vinopolis managing director Samantha Anderson. “Vinopolis is something of a London landmark for event bookers and conferences but this is the best possible decision for the business and its shareholders. We have come to the end of what could reasonably be achieved with the wine experience and feel that it is time for new life to be breathed into the timeless space.”
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She praised the “fantastic team who have worked tirelessly to make it the best possible visitor attraction and event space”. Although around 180 staff currently employed at the venue and its associated restaurants will now lose their jobs at the end of this year, Vinopolis’ management is understood to be offering support in finding them new roles.
With a full year of trading still to run, Anderson concluded: “I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to giving the building a magnificent send off. It is an utterly unique destination and come 2016 it will be gone, so we want as many people to experience what we have to offer while they can.”
So what will happen to the whisky exchange?