Brexit driving London restaurant closures

Brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin’s much loved Galvin Bistrot de Luxe in Marylebone is to close next month after losing a fifth of its staff in the wake of the Brexit vote.

Chris and Jeff Galvin are to close Galvin Bistrot de Luxe in Marylebone, their first restaurant

As reported by the Evening Standard, the Baker Street bistro, which has been serving French classics since September 2005, will close its doors for good on 10 February. Chris and Jeff Galvin announced the news in a joint statement yesterday.

“We never wanted to water down the concept or the quality of food we have been proud to serve to a loyal clientele for 12 years. But in the world’s great cities things do not stand still. It was ahead of its time, and now it’s time to move on.

Galvin Bistrot de Luxe will close on 10 February

“Tastes change and, as creative chefs, we are restless and want to do new things not just endlessly repeat the same style of cooking,” they said.

“This has not been an easy decision but has been taken predominantly due to events outside our control that mean we are no longer able to remain competitive on quality and price yet remain a viable business at the same time,” they added.

The pair have faced “the perfect storm” in the wake of the Brexit vote, with rising rents, the decrease in the value of the pound and European staff leaving London making life increasingly difficult.

The brothers still run 11 sites, including Galvin at Windows at The Hilton hotel on Park Lane, Galvin La Chapelle in Spitalfields and Galvin Dubai.

According to the Evening Standard, all of the staff at Bistro de Luxe have been offered roles within the company.

Despite being just three weeks into the year, London has already seen some high profile restaurant closures, including Thai barbecue specialist Smoking Goat in Soho and the wine-focused 8 Hoxton Square in east London.

As reported by Eater London, this week modern Spanish restaurant Encant in Covent Garden, run by Victor Garvey, closed so that Garvey could give greater focus to his two other Spanish sites, Sibarita and Rambla.

Modern British restaurant Beagle in Hoxton has also closed. The café, bar and restaurant, run by DJ duo Danny and Kieran Clancy, opened in 2013.