Celebrity Chef Explains Wiltshire Restaurant Closure
Rick Stein, celebrity chef, presenter, and restaurateur, has shared insights about the sudden closure of his only Wiltshire restaurant in Marlborough. The eatery, opened in 2016 as his sixth restaurant in England, featured signature dishes such as Dover sole a la meunière and turbot hollandaise.
On October 5, the restaurant abruptly closed, and in an exclusive interview with the Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, Stein discussed the reasons behind this decision while promoting his new book and upcoming TV appearances.
Reasons for Closure
Stein emphasized that closing the Marlborough location was never planned but became necessary due to economic difficulties and declining customer numbers.
"We decided to close because there just wasn’t enough business," he said.
"We’re not going under, but we are having to restructure our business just because of the hard time we’re going through."
He also attributed struggles in the hospitality sector to a combination of governmental fiscal policies and the broader tough economic climate.
"The whole hospitality industry is suffering. Personally, I think it’s a mixture of the government’s last budget and the quite grim economic time we have been going through."
About Rick Stein
- Chef, TV presenter, and restaurateur
- Owner of a popular chain of restaurants across the UK
- Author of multiple cookbooks
The closure marks a significant change for Stein’s business in Wiltshire but reflects the wider challenges faced by the restaurant industry today.
Author’s Summary
Rick Stein closed his Marlborough restaurant due to severe economic pressures and fewer customers, highlighting ongoing struggles in the UK hospitality sector.