Diners in the West Midlands faced a major festive disappointment after a popular steakhouse was forced to close its doors on Christmas Day. Miller & Carter in Hockley Heath, Solihull, cancelled all bookings due to what it described as an 'unexpected electrical issue'.
Kitchen Crisis Forces Last-Minute Cancellation
The restaurant announced the closure on its Facebook page on the morning of 25th December 2025. The problem was centred in the kitchen, where a fault with the extractor fan system meant the venue could not operate safely. Engineers worked through the morning in an attempt to fix the issue but were unsuccessful.
The management team stated they were contacting all customers with bookings to advise them of the closure. In their online statement, they apologised for the inconvenience and promised that senior management would contact those affected directly in the following days.
Frustration for Festive Diners
The news was met with significant frustration from local residents who had planned their Christmas meals at the venue. Many took to social media to express their disappointment underneath the restaurant's announcement.
One Facebook user revealed that a party of 13 had been booked for midday and had not received a prior call about the closure, calling the day a 'write off'. Another commenter expressed sympathy, stating: "OMG!!!! It can’t be helped, but can you imagine???" A third simply said: "That’s terrible! Feel for those missing out on Christmas Dinner!"
Broken Plans and Local Reaction
The closure highlights the reliance many families place on hospitality venues during the festive period and the disruption caused when such plans fall through at the last minute. For Solihull residents, the Miller & Carter in Hockley Heath is a well-known dining spot, with some commenters noting they had enjoyed their Christmas dinner there the previous year.
While the electrical fault was unforeseen, the incident has sparked conversation about contingency planning and communication during critical holiday periods for the hospitality sector in the West Midlands.
