The management of London’s Criterion Restaurant issued on 19 August the news of the closure of the 140 year old institution on facebook, as follows:
“Dear guests, we are very sad to announce that today has been the last day of The Criterion Restaurant.
“Thanks to all of you the Criterion Restaurant has been very successfully serving daily lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, as well as hosting many award dinners, fashion shows, filmings, corporate and private events and being featured more than once in hit series like Downton Abbey. The Criterion has also been a popular wedding destination and praised by such publications as Elle and Conde Nast’s BRIDES Magazine.
“Unfortunately, the restaurant had to be placed under administration on 18th June as a result of a rent review outcome declaring a staggering increase of 60% per square ft. This came at a point when the previous payable rent was already higher than numerous other restaurants in Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street. Criterion Capital, the current landlord, and Vox Restaurant Ltd t/a Criterion Restaurant, could not agree on mutual rent during rent review, and as a result RICS appointed an independent expert for the award, Angela Warr-King of Grant Mills Wood, part of Riley Consulting.
“It’s a real pity that independent expert Angela Warr-King has awarded such a harsh, and in our opinion completely unjust, rental uplift on a 140 year old institutional restaurant, famed for its history and heritage, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle envisioned the first meeting of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the books, or where the Suffragettes used to hold their meeting over tea in 1920’s.
“Administrators Hacker Young were unable to find interested operators under the new rent and have taken the decision of closing down.
“We would like to send you all a very heartfelt thank you for your custom and support throughout the years and for being a part of the Criterion history and family.”
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