News / Restaurants
Restaurant blames subsidised sandwiches at nearby office for closure
A restaurant owner has slammed one of Bristol’s most successful companies for contributing to her own business’ demise.
My Burrito first opened on Broad Quay in 2011 and opened on Cathedral Walk in the Harbourside in 2019, as well as selling their own brand marinades and sauces.
But the restaurant has now closed with a note pinned to its front door laying out in detail the reasons for its closure, including the lack of footfall and more office workers now working from home hitting their lunchtime trade.
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There is also an ironic “special thanks” to Hargreaves Lansdown in the note as well as two emails; one from My Burrito co-owner Esmerelda Martin-Rivera to an employee of Hargreaves Lansdown and his reply.
A long note explains why the owners of My Burrito have closed their business “with heavy hearts” – photo: Martin Booth
Martin-Rivera’s principal gripe is that financial services giant Hargreaves Lansdown, whose headquarters on Anchor Road are only a few hundred yards from My Burrito, have a Sandwich Sandwich concession inside their office at which staff get subsidised prices.
In her email, Martin-Rivera asked whether Hargreaves Lansdown could also offer to subsidise their staff eating at My Burrito.
The Hargreaves Lansdown employee replied saying that he was “very sorry to say we are not looking for another partner at this time”, adding that he does “appreciate the difficulties you must be under to maintain your business”.
In the note on the My Burrito window, it says that they “hold no grudges to Sandwich Sandwich”, with Hargreaves Lansdown staff also enjoying subsidised drinks from Can’t Dance Coffee within their HQ.
But the note adds: “Hargreaves Lansdown should be ashamed having watched Rod & Ruby close when they introduced a coffee concession to their offices and have absolutely contributed to our closure.”
A Hargreaves Lansdown spokesperson told Bristol24/7: “We’re sorry to see a local business and one of our neighbours close.
“We’re proud of our existing partnerships with small local businesses that provide food and drink options for colleagues working at our Harbourside office.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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