News / Restaurants
Celebrity chef to close his Bristol restaurant
Rising costs and challenging market conditions are among some of the reasons behind the decision to close a restaurant on Whiteladies Road.
River Cottage Canteen, owned by campaigning chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, will be open until March 27.
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall opened River Cottage Canteen on Whiteladies Road in 2013 – photo: Martin Booth
Fearnley-Whittingstall, who lives in Bristol, also blamed the location and size of the building, saying that he hopes that a River Cottage will be able to return to the city in the future.
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Fearnley-Whittingstall said: “Following a full review of our business we have made the difficult decision to cease trading at our Bristol site.
“We’ve had a wonderful seven years in Bristol and I am deeply saddened that we cannot find a way to continue trading here.
“I have a strong personal connection to Bristol, having lived here just around the corner from the restaurant for most of the last four years. I very much hope that River Cottage will return to the city in the future.
“I would like to thank our amazing team who have worked tirelessly over the years making our restaurant a fantastic place to eat and drink.
“A huge thanks also to all our wonderful customers who have supported us over the years, and our brilliant suppliers who have helped us to serve the finest produce of the region.”
From April, Fearnley-Whittingstall said that he will be focusing his attention on River Cottage Kitchens in Axminster and Winchester, and his farm and cookery school, River Cottage HQ, in Devon.
He is currently consulting with his Bristol team and hopes to be able to offer alternative employment at these other sites where possible.
Main photo: Dan Regan
Read more: My Bristol Favourites: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
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