Beloved French restaurant chain suddenly closes EIGHT locations putting 150 staff out of work & leaving fans ‘gutted’
A POPULAR French restaurant chain has suddenly closed eight restaurants – putting 150 staff out of work and leaving fans “gutted”.
Bistrot Pierre’s closure in Coventry has left locals heartbroken, with the owners blaming Labour’s tax hikes in the Autumn budget for driving up hospitality costs.
The closures affect branches in Sutton Coldfield, Newport, Southport, Birmingham, Preston, Kidderminster, Leamington Spa, and Coventry.
The company said it had become “impossible” for these locations to continue trading.
However, a new investment deal with Cherry Equity Partners has helped secure the future of the remaining 10 restaurants, saving 394 jobs.
Nick White, CEO of Bistrot Pierre, said: “We are delighted to have secured the future of the business and, with the backing of Cherry Equity Partners, now have a strong platform in place for future growth.
“At the same time, we are tremendously sad to see eight of our sites close.
“The impending increases in National Minimum Wage and National Insurance contributions will add hundreds of thousands of pounds to our costs, making our smaller locations simply unviable.”
The popular restaurant serves a range of French delicacies, including Black Angus 28-day aged steaks, Boeuf Bourguignon, Chicken Normandy, and Salmon Provençale.
Many restaurants like Bistrot Pierre are feeling the pinch from the government’s latest budget tax hikes, with the hospitality sector still recovering from the impact of Covid-19 and struggling to keep up with these rising expenses.
The restaurant was originally founded by school friends Rob Beacham and Rob Whitehead in 1994 under the name Pierre Victoire.
It was later rebranded as Pierre Bistrot and celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
Fans of Bistrot Pierre took to social media to express their disappointment over the closure of the Coventry branch.
One Facebook user wrote: “Gutted. It’s one of my favourite restaurants. I’ve been a loyal customer since they first opened.
“Hats off to all the staff, who have always made special occasions even more memorable.
“My thoughts are with Abel and his wonderful team, who are now out of work. It’s a sad day.”
Another commented: “So sad. I’ve been a huge fan of Pierre’s since their first restaurant opened in Nottingham 25 years ago.
“Unfortunately, like many others, they’ve been hit hard by cripplingly high rents and business rates.
“With the upcoming increase in minimum wage and national insurance, I fear we’ll see more retail and hospitality chains struggle this year.”
Other comments raised concerns about Coventry’s struggling city centre.
One person tweeted: “Another restaurant falls in Coventry due to the Chancellor’s dreadful budget!”
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in 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.