High-profile Scottish chef Nick Nairn has closed the doors of his restaurant in Bridge of Allan, declaring the business was "no longer viable".
The chef, who ran the restaurant with wife Julia, has handed the keys back to the leaseholder of the property.
It brings to a close a tumultuous period for the couple, who initially opened the former Jam Jar restaurant in 2019 before Covid struck. The restaurant, which had been rebranded as Nick’s on Henderson Street in February 2020, was then struck by fire in August 2021. It reopened following extensive refurbishments in July 2023, when it began trading as Nairn's.
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The couple, who also run Nick's at Port of Menteith, ran the Bridge of Allan outlet under a management agreement with Douglas Wood, who holds the lease of the property and owns wine merchant WoodWinters based nearby.
Nairn's said in a statement: "Many in the hospitality industry continue to struggle and recover post-Covid.
"For Nairn’s, the added trauma of a fire and a prolonged closure period, coupled with our return to business in the midst of the cost of living crisis has created the perfect storm.
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"Additionally, in 2019 and pre-Covid, we entered into a management agreement with a third party, when hospitality was still buoyant. Sadly, what was once reasonable is now unaffordable, all of these factors mean the business is no longer viable."
The statement added: "Nick’s at Port of Menteith restaurant remains in operation, alongside Nick Nairn Cook School, the kitchen garden and retail space, many of our staff members will transfer to Port of Menteith and will continue to offer outstanding food and service."
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