The restaurant has closed today for good
Gary Usher of Elite Bistros
Gary Usher has today closed one of his Merseyside restaurants “for good” after its ten year lease came to an end. Heswall’s Burnt Truffle is one of five restaurants opened by the chef’s company, Elite Bistro’s – three of which are situated in Merseyside.
Although Usher says he could have renewed the lease, he admitted he’s “never been able to make [Burnt Truffle] work.” Announcing the closure on social media, he said: “I need to share some news and, unfortunately, it’s not great news.
“We are now closed for good. Burnt Truffle had a 10 year lease and that lease has come to an end. I could have renewed that lease but the honest truth is I’ve never been able to make it work here.
“I’ve been quite vocal about how difficult the government have made it over the last few years but, ultimately, I’ve never been able to make it work here, so the best business decision for us is to close. So we’re closing Burnt Truffle from today.
“I know there’s going to be lots of questions over the next few days – and I’ll answer all of them. I guess a big question for a lot of people will be: ‘If I’ve bought a voucher, what happens now?’ We’ve got five other restaurants, a pub and a bakery, and you can use those vouchers in any of those. If you’re not happy with that, I’ll redeem your voucher.
“We’ve paid all our bills so VAT is paid, all our suppliers are paid, our rent is paid. We have unfortunately had to make people redundant with the closure of this business and they’ve been paid. Everybody has been paid.
“I have a civil loan which I took out in the pandemic, which I still have to pay – and I will, through the wider business. Other than that, it feels like it’s been tied up, as well as closing down a restaurant can be.
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“It’s a sad day, it really is. When I think back to when we opened here, we had the likes of Jay Rayner coming, and we got two Rosettes quite quickly too, we were the first crowdfunded restaurant in the UK with non-investment crowdfunding – that started our journey with crowdfunding actually.
“What does this mean for the business moving forward? Well, we carry on, we just keep going, we keep trying and we keep innovating to get through these tough times. That’s it really.
“Thanks to everyone that came, thank you to all the team, thank you to all the guests; we’ve loved being in Heswall, we’ve loved being in Burnt Truffle, but that’s the end.”
Gary Usher has made a name for himself not only for his food ventures – many of which are crowdfunded, but for his criticisms of government policy when it comes to the the hospitality sector. Reacting to the news of his restaurant’s closure, many expressed their sadness.
Dave Critchley, the chef who owned Lu Ban in the Baltic Triangle and has appeared on Great British Menu and Come Dine With Me: The Professionals, said: “Gutted mate . Fantastic restaurant as they all are! Nothing but love for you chef.” Danny Broughton added: “Sad news but you did it on your terms and in the right way. Hopefully any resources freed up will go towards your next adventure!”
Check out the ECHO’s review of Gary Usher’s Liverpool city centre restaurant, Wreck, by clicking here. It describes the experience as “almost perfect, affordable and high-quality”.