Nine food and drink venues in Birmingham have closed or announced closure in the 33 days since Michelin Star chef Andreas Antona warned of an impending 'avalanche' of business failures. The Simpsons restaurant boss made the prediction when his own fine dining establishment shut its doors for the final time, calling for more support for the hospitality sector.
Closures Since the Warning
Since June 2, when Antona's warning was reported, Birmingham has seen a wave of closures including The Double Six cafe in Moseley, The Billesley pub, and other notable venues. The list includes Autobrew in Digbeth (closure reported June 5), Restaurant in the Woods at the Mailbox (June 18), Riva Blu on Temple Row (June 19), Marco Pierre White at The Cube (June 23), Caneat in Stirchley (June 24), The Oyster Club on Temple Street (June 26), Gaijin Sushi on Bristol Street (June 27), Three Sixes in Moseley (July 7), and The Billesley in Billesley (July 7).
Industry Pressure and VAT Campaign
Chefs and business owners continue to push for a reduction in VAT to alleviate financial pressures. A petition led by Tom Kerridge, calling for the UK hospitality VAT rate to be cut from 20% to 10% in line with other European countries, has garnered over 260,000 signatures. Antona highlighted VAT as a key issue when Simpsons closed, describing a reduction as 'a start' to saving restaurants, pubs, and bars.
Broader Challenges
While not all venues disclosed reasons for closure, factors such as business rates, ingredient costs, staffing, and footfall are known to affect viability. The hospitality sector continues to face significant headwinds, with fears of further closures remaining high.
