Andreas Antona, the owner of the now-closed Michelin Star restaurant Simpsons in Birmingham, has warned that an 'avalanche' of restaurant closures may follow unless the government intervenes. The chef, who shut down the establishment after 32 years, revealed that the restaurant 'hadn't made money in well over a year.'
End of an Era
Simpsons first opened in Kenilworth 32 years ago before moving to Edgbaston in 2004, where it became Birmingham's first Michelin Star restaurant. The closure on May 28, 2025, after more than three decades, was attributed to economic challenges. Many of the region's top chefs, who trained under Antona, paid tribute to the restaurant.
Economic Struggles
Speaking to BBC Radio WM, Antona explained that the closure had been 'a long time coming.' He said: 'It's very, very difficult to make money. We haven't made money for well over a year and it's eating into savings. But at the end of the day, the purpose of every business is to make money and restaurants at the moment can't because the model doesn't work any more.'
Antona, who also owns The Cross in Kenilworth, which remains open, believes that 'not even 5% of restaurants' in the country are currently profitable. He warned: 'I speak to a lot of my fellow colleagues in the same boat as me and there'll be an avalanche soon if the government doesn't do anything constructive to help.'
Rising Costs and Changing Habits
Among the challenges cited were escalating energy prices, increases in the minimum wage, and rising ingredient costs. Antona also pointed to changing customer habits, such as earlier dinner times, and the return of business rates after temporary relief. He called for a reduction in VAT rates as a starting point to ease pressure on the hospitality industry.
Emotional Toll
'It's such a shame because it's small businesses,' Antona said. 'It's personal and family-oriented. It's very, very difficult, heart-wrenching sort of stuff. And they've got no idea of how it works.' He added that the outpouring of support from the city had helped during the closure, noting that he had received messages from past staff and customers. 'It's been a well-loved institution that I started 32 years ago in Kenilworth and I'd never have thought that this is how it would end. But the economic climate in this country is dire. It needs a radical shake-up and the government needs to pay attention to the economy.'
